NEW ULM — By a 3-1 vote Tuesday, the Brown County Board approved a Sheriff’s Office application for an additional deputy position via the Community Oriented Policing Services program.

Action came on a motion by Scott Windschitl of New Ulm, motion, seconded by Dean Simonsen of rural Sleepy Eye. Dave Borchert of New Ulm cast the dissenting vote. Commissioner Jeff Veerkamp of Comfrey was absent.

“My concern is we’ll get about $42,000 a year but it’ll cost Brown County about $100,000 a year,” said Borchert, who as New Ulm police chief is familiar with the actual costs of law enforcement personnel. “It’s nice to get money, but it doesn’t cover all the costs.”

Windschitl said he had the same concerns, but with a June 9 application deadline, he said he “entertained” applying for the grant so it would be available.

“We haven’t talked to Sheriff (Jason) Seidl and gone through the budget process yet, but we can have it in our back pocket,” Windschitl said.

“We can apply for it, but it’s going to be a tough budget year,” said Borchert.

Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jeremy Reed said it would take about eight to 10 hours of work to apply for the grant.

Commissioners unanimously approved:

• Brown County Human Services and Public Health seeking mediation with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) related to choice of healthcare plans for Brown County’s senior managed care health population effective Jan. 1, 2023. Action came on Commissioner Windschitl’s motion, seconded by Tony Berg.

On April 26, 2022, the county board approved a resolution recommending SCHA (South County Health Alliance) as the sole, managed care plan for Brown County recipients of Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) and Minnesota Senior Care (MSC) Plus as of Jan. 1, 2022.

Brown County received a DHS notice June 1, 2022 that they will be invited two health plans to negotiate contracts for MSHO and MSC+ health plans as of Jan. 1, 2023 in Brown County. The health plan names are not public until contracts are signed.

Brown County believes SCHA meets at criteria and a second plan option is not needed. Clarification on why two plans are required was submitted to DHS May 27, 2022 with no response.

• Awarding Searles Well Drilling for well installation at the landfill scale house for $14,744, motion by Simonsen, seconded by Borchert. Schaefer Well Co. bid $18,723.

• Awarding GSM Plumbing for landfill scale house plumbing work including stool, sinks and water heater at $7,550; motion by Borchert, seconded by Berg. Klassen Plumbing bid $12,870.

• Appointed Randy Baker as assistant probation director at $45.82 an hour as of June 17, 2022, motion by Borchert, seconded by Windschitl.

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