SLEEPY EYE — Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) lobbyist Marty Seifert had some favorable legislative news for the Sleepy Eye City Council Tuesday.

“With the City of Sleepy Eye owning it’s own ambulance, the EMS Aid Bill really helped your community in particular,” Seifert said.

“We started at $120 million and got down to $24 million but they (legislators) took out the entire metro area out of it, at our suggestion. Your $111,000 check should be cut at the end of the year,” he said.

“Some smaller towns have talked of folding up EMS services. It’s a life and death situation with longer (ambulance) wait times. We need a lot more funding,” said Seifert.

Another positive aspect of the EMS Aid Bill is that the CGMC and League of Minnesota Cities can appoint representatives to the primary advisory council.

Legislation also attempted to make rural ambulance staffing less difficult due to personnel licensing, training, recertification and qualifications.

Seifert said the session created momentum for EMS issues. The goal next year is to keep it going.

He said child care is becoming more and more of a crisis.

“If you don’t have child care and have a two-income household without family nearby, it becomes a tough situation. Some businesses don’t want to locate in communities without child care. Lyon County and Marshall are short more than 200 child care spots,” said Seifert.

He said a bill adding child care regulations was put on hold after many child care centers reported they would close with more regulations.

“This is something Republicans and Democrats will have to work together on. We can’t fund or deregulate our way out of this,” he said.

Brown County Commissioner Brian Braun also gave councilors an update.

He said county commissioners set a 8.99% 2025 preliminary tax hike but commissioners may use $380,000 in reserve funds to help reduce the increase to 7.99%.

He said the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is willing to help the county with safety improvements on U.S. Highway 14 and Brown County Highway 10, east of Sleepy Eye.

“The hill to the east of the intersection is an issue. Maybe it can be leveled and left-hand turns could be added,” said Braun.

The city council unanimously approved the purchase of a $11,570.25 second stair chair for a new ambulance, motion by Christina Andres, seconded by Scott Krzmarzick.

Police Chief Matt Andres said a grant secured by Brown County Emergency Services Director Shawn Stoermann saved the City of Sleepy Eye about $50,000 for the purchase of new police and ambulance service radios.

Donations of $16,90.44 from the Sleepy Eye Fire Relief Association to help pay for a new grass rig and $250 to Dyckman Library from Duncan McGreggor were unanimously approved.