BROWN COUNTY — By a 4-1 vote Tuesday, Brown County Commissioners approved a resolution to post for an additional deputy sheriff position according to policy and union contract.

Commissioner Scott Windschitl cast a dissenting vote, saying with less sheriff’s office activity, he’d rather wait until next January to evaluate the situation. Action came on a motion by Commissioner Dean Simonsen, seconded by Commissioner Dave Borchert.

“When (former) sheriff Hoffmann went to 24-hour service, we didn’t add staff,” said Brown County Sheriff Jason Seidl. “We also back up county police departments. There is less activity (since the COVID-19 pandemic began last March), but we get phone calls (for help) from other county sheriff’s offices. It’s also a safety issue.”

Seidl said it takes at least three months to thoroughly train a new deputy, and part-time deputies are difficult to find.

In addition, Seidl said deputy Ron Benz retired May 31 and his replacement won’t be at the sheriff’s office until Oct. 31.

“There may be election turmoil in November. It’s better to be safe,” Seidl added. “We’re the only ones staying open around the clock. We get lots of calls for many things pretty constantly. It ain’t going away.”

Brown County Attorney Chuck Hanson said district court jury trials are coming back now.

“We had one scheduled for this week, but it was settled. We’ve got one scheduled for next week, and October is pretty full,” Hanson said.

The Grade XV deputy position with an hourly wage range of $26.15 to $34.52 was approved in the final 2020 budget. The position would be effective after Oct. 1.

Commissioners unanimously approved:

• A contract with Sioux Trails Mental Health Center for clinical supervision by six adult mental health case managers, on a motion by Windschitl, seconded by Commissioner Tony Berg. Simonsen abstained.

The cost is $160 per hour, and the service is anticipated to be used four hours per month. In-house clinical supervisor Brian Smith has resigned from the position as of Oct. 31, 2020.

• Submitting a grant application for $9,281 to support 2020-2021 influenza vaccine promotion and administration, on a motion by Simonsen, seconded by Berg.

Brown County has historically had about 35% of its residents get the flu vaccine.

“This is low compared to many surrounding counties. I’d like to see us be able to increase that to at least 45%,” said Brown County Public Health Director Karen Moritz.

“Increasing flu vaccination coverage is an essential step to decrease the stress on the health care system and at a time when SARS-Cov-2 is expected to be circulating,” said Moritz.

• Authorizing the board chairman to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Brown County and New Ulm Public Schools, the City of Springfield and Sleepy Eye Public Schools.

During COVID-19 planning, Brown County Emergency Management and Public Health identified locations where mass testing or vaccination could occur. It was realized that in some cases, the MOUs for the sites were outdated or non-existent.

The new MOUs address use of facilities for any all-hazards event rather than establishing multiple MOUs for separate events.

• Clarification of work plan activities on an approved contract with the Minnesota Conservation Corps at Mound Creek County Park, on a motion by Simonsen, seconded by Berg. Commissioners agreed to not cut down ash trees on the park entrance road.

• Hiring Goat Dispatch to control buckthorn at Lake Hanska County Park, on a motion by Simonsen, seconded by Windschitl.

The park department recommends using the service between and around the log cabin parking lots and near the swimming beach. Services are estimated to cost $2,262.

The board heard no public comments at a public hearing held jointly with the Soil Water Conservation District, on the Watonwan River Watershed One Watershed, One Plan process, prior to final approval by the Board of Water and Soil Resources.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.