NEW ULM – Brown County Family Services (BCFS) ranked among the top three Minnesota counties for child support collections on current cases and cases in arrears, according to state reports recently released.

Brown County Commissioners will hear the good news from Human Services Director Tom Henderson at the board’s meeting Tuesday.

Brown County collected and disbursed $3 million in current, ongoing child support, 82.48 percent of the total support due, according to Federal Fiscal Year 2015 data. The Minnesota state average was 73.43 percent of total support due, ranking Minnesota fifth in the country.

Brown County collected on 85.09 percent of total support cases in arrears, ahead of Minnesota’s 72.11 percent state average, which was third-best in the state.

Cost effectiveness was another Brown County strong point with $6.61 collected for very $1 spent on child support programs. The Minnesota average was $3.54 for every $1 spent on child support programs.

Commissioners will also consider:

A Drug and Alcohol Abuse Evaluation System Report for 2015 and Consolidated Chemical Dependency Treatment Fund Report for July 1, 2016 through June, 30, 2016.

Setting a public hearing date of 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15 to consider dividing County Ditch 73 into two drainage systems. Minnesota Statute 103E.801 allows the Drainage Authority to divide drainage systems if it determines that the division is consistent with the re-determination of the benefited areas of the drainage system, would provide efficient administration of the drainage system; and would be fair and equitable.

Review and approved an updated bridge priority list and pass a resolution supporting the list. The list consists of bridges that are structurally deficient or have been requested to be replaced by a township. Bridges on the priority list are eligible for bridge bond funds.

Giving preliminary approval for begin the state aid bonding process for $5 million for highway construction and direct the Brown County Highway Department to develop a plan for board consideration of the funds.

This is not a proposal to raise the local property tax levy or any tax. It will utilize a portion of the anticipated state aid funds to Brown County over the next 10 years for the annual repayment of the bond issue. Bonding would be paid back with existing future state aid construction funds so no new taxes would be required.

The board meeting begins at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27 in the courthouse commissioner’s room.

Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com