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Date:	July 12, 2022
Contact:	Yvonne Klinnert, Communications Specialist, Senior
Phone:	651-430-6026, after hours 952-807-3723
E-mail:	yvonne.klinnert@co.washington.mn.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The following actions were taken at the July 12, 2022, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

County Board makes appointments to advisory groups
The Washington County Board of Commissioners made appointments to citizen advisory committees July 12.
The appointments are:
* Dan Lindeman to a first term expiring June 30, 2025, as a District 4 representative to the Family Homelessness Prevention Assistance Program Committee; and
* Laurie Levine to a first term expiring June 30, 2025, as a Business Representative on the Workforce Development Board.
Contact: Holly Hess, Administrative Assistant to the County Board, 651-430-6015

County will retain services of private audit firm for coming years
Washington County will provide notice to the Office of State Auditor that the county will retain a private firm for its audits for years 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 as provided for by state law, after the County Board agreed to the action July 12.
A county that plans to change to or from the state auditor and a certified public accountant firm must notify the state auditor of this change by Aug. 1 of an even numbered year. Washington County has been pleased by the quality of the audits performed by the private audit firm and intends to retain the services of a private audit firm.
Contact: Tabatha Hansen, Accounting & Finance Director, 651-430-6027

County will receive additional $195,000 for public health emergencies
Washington County will receive an additional $195,505 from the Minnesota Department of Health to assist in preparation and response to public health emergencies.
The County Board accepted the grant July 12, which is for now through June 30, 2023.
The county has received grant funds for a number of years through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's federal program administered by the state’s Department of Health to assist in preparing to respond to public health emergencies.
Acceptance of grant funds will allow the county to continue planning, training, exercising, and responding to public health emergencies, such as disease outbreaks, natural disasters, environmental health, or bioterrorism. Preparedness activities are extended to community partners, such as local medical providers, school districts, police, fire, and emergency medical services, and non-profit organizations.
This is an increase from the 2021 and 2020 awards and results in a grant total of $731,345.
Contact: David Brummel, Public Health & Environment Director, 651-430-6662

County Board amends county’s ARPA project plan
The Washington County Board of Commissioners amended the county’s American Rescue Plan Act 2022 project plan July 12 to provide $7.5 million to invest in an affordable workforce housing project. 
Washington County received $50,975,893 under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), and the board approved a plan to provide for public health and other safety needs of county residents.
The most recent revision of the plan will use $7.5 million fill a gap in financing the construction of 60 new affordable apartments. The Washington County Community Development Agency has an opportunity to construct 58 units with federal Housing & Urban Development rental assistance. The new units would allow low-income residents to pay 30% of their income toward the rent. The remainder of the rent would be paid through a HUD contract. The financing for the project, which would require rent caps far below the market in Washington County, will be financed by tax credit investor equity, still had a funding gap that the ARPA money will be used to fill. The CDA is working with a handful of cities to find the right site for the new development.
Additional changes approved by the County Board from the ARPA 2021 plan under the provision for supporting the public health needs of county residents and staff include:
* increased use of funds for building modifications to ensure safe delivery of services of $898,465 for a total of $6 million;
* increased use of $2 million for a transitional housing capital program to $8 million; and
* increased use of $250,000 for improvements to Big Marine Park Reserve to $418,000.
Under the program’s provision for county infrastructure and operations funded by lost revenue, the following projects were added:
* funds to replace lost revenue for the Law Library, which will be $68,800.
* $350,000 to be used for a jail camera and security system;
* $200,000 to be used for court room security glass; and
* $207,500 to be used to hire an access and continuity navigator.
There is additional information on the county’s website regarding the county’s use of ARPA funds at www.co.washington.mn.us by searching “ARPA.”
Contact: Jill Zenzola, Accounting Supervisor, 651-430-6048

County Board proclaims July 17-23 Pretrial, Probation, Parole Supervision Week
The Washington County Board of Commissioners proclaimed July 17-23, 2022, as Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week at its meeting July 12.
The American Probation and Parole Association designates a week each year to recognize the work of pretrial, probation, and parole officers around the country. The week of July 17-23 is National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week.
This year’s theme is “Restoring Trust, Creating Hope.” Probation officers continue to create hope for clients as they play an integral role in delivering direct service and connecting stakeholders at all levels, including the courts, law enforcement, and community-based agencies. The work done by community corrections professionals keeps communities safe and transforms the lives of justice-involved clients.
Contact: Terry Thomas, Community Corrections Director, 651-430-6951

County Parks receive state, national awards for Ravine Landing
Washington County’s Ravine Landing in Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park has received recognition from state and national organizations, which was recognized by the County Board July 12.
The Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (MRPA), Awards of Excellence Program, is an annual program that recognizes agencies or organizations in Minnesota for outstanding achievements in parks, recreation, and leisure service. The awards recognize programs, projects, or initiatives that were implemented or received substantial revisions in 2021. Washington County received an award in the Parks and Facility Category for Ravine Landing.
In addition, Washington County was recognized with an Achievement Award for Ravine Landing from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The award honors innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
H+U Construction was the construction manager for the project and Hamel, Green and Abrahamson Inc. was the architects.
Contact: Sandy Breuer, Parks Director, 651-430-4371

Photo: The Washington County Board of Commissioners recognized awards July 12 noting the work one on Ravine Landing at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. Those present are Commissioner Stan Karwoski, District 2, Ashleigh Grizzell, design associate with Hammel, Green and Abrahamson Inc., architects, Andy Hoffman with H+U Construction, construction manager, commissioners Wayne Johnson, District 4, Gary Kriesel, District 3, and Lisa Weik, District 5, Eden Rogers, Public Works Engineer, Sandy Breuer, Parks Director, Commissioner Fran Miron, District 1, JJ Williams, Parks Guest Services Supervisor, Frank Tickner, Public Works Deputy Director, and Wayne Sandberg, Public Works Director.

County, City of Hugo will work together on signal light at Frenchman Road, Oneka
Washington County will work with the City of Hugo to construct a traffic signal at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 8, also known as Frenchman Road, at its intersection with Oneka Parkway after the County Board approved a cost-share agreement with the city July 12.
Oneka Parkway is a collector street under the jurisdiction of the City of Hugo. The intersection has been designated as needing a signal system, which was planned for construction in 2024. The City of Hugo will be reconstructing Oneka Parkway in this area this summer and requested that the traffic signal be included as a component of the city’s project, with the county sharing the cost, thus allowing construction of the signal to occur earlier and with less disruption to traffic. No additional right-of-way is needed for the signal project, which will be managed by the City of Hugo.
The anticipated cost to the county is $230,400, which will be paid for with highway state aid funds.
Washington County and the City of Hugo will cooperate on future maintenance of the new traffic signal and on the existing nearby traffic signal at Victor Hugo Boulevard. The Hugo City Council awarded the project and signed the agreement at its July 5 council meeting.
Contact: Joe Gustafson, Traffic Engineer, 651-430-4351

County Board names members of canvassing board for primary, general elections
Commissioners Wayne Johnson and Gary Kriesel will serve on the Washington County canvass board for the state primary election that is Aug. 9, and commissioners Fran Miron and Lisa Weik will serve on the Washington County canvass board for the general election that is Nov. 8.
The appointments were made July 12.
Rules around the canvassing board are set by state law, which state that it will consist of the county auditor, the court administrator of the district court, the mayor or chair of the town board of the county's most populous municipality, and two members of the County Board selected by the board from its members who are not candidates at the election.
The canvass board for the Primary Election will meet to canvass those results 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 12, in conference room Lower Level 14 of the Washington County Government Center in Stillwater.
The canvass board for the General Election will meet to canvass those results 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in conference room Lower Level 14 of the Washington County Government Center in Stillwater.
Contact: Jennifer Wagenius, Deputy County Administrator, 651-430-6007

County Board recognizes Sheriff’s Office employees
Employees of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office were recognized by the County Board July 12 for their dedication and support to law enforcement.
Special Services Supervisor Amy Larsen was selected and awarded the 2020 Excellence in Support by the Minnesota Association of Women Police (MAWP). This is a competitive award to recognize a female who is a member of the support staff for a law enforcement agency who provides excellent day-to-day performance and who helps enhance the agency through innovative thinking, problem solving, leadership, and mentoring to other support staff personnel and law enforcement officers within their agency. Each year, the MAWP receives a great number of nominations, and celebrates the recipient’s strengths, talents, and skills.
Radio System Manager Nate Timm was recognized for his leadership in the Operation Safety Net Communications Unit (COMU).
Operation Safety Net Leaders found the need for an Operation Safety Net Communications Unit (COMU) in February 2021 and identified Timm as one of the unit leaders. At the initial meeting of the COMU, the team quickly identified that the effects of Operation Safety Net would be felt well beyond the City of Minneapolis and support would be required from across the region, state, and potentially beyond. Timm planned, coordinated, and made changes to ensure interoperable communications for responders operating in the metro area from across the entire state and beyond, consisting of all public safety disciplines.
Contact: Laura Perkins, Public Information Manager, 651-430-7994

Photo: Washington County commissioners recognized employees from the Sheriff’s Office July 12. Sheriff’s Office employees Robin Shim, Jennifer MacGregor, Kim Shelafoe, Sheriff Dan Starry and Chief Deputy Doug Anschutz were with Commissioner Lisa Weik, District 5, Commander Andy Ellickson, honoree Amy Larsen, Commissioner Fran Miron, District 1, honoree Nate Timm, and commissioners Wayne Johnson, District 1, Stan Karwoski, District 2, and Gary Kriesel, District 3.

County Board receives annual Audit Advisory Committee Report
James Honsvall, a citizen member of the Washington County Audit Advisory Committee, presented the 2021 annual report to the County Board July 12, as required by county policy.
Washington County established an Audit Advisory Committee in 1984. The Audit Advisory Committee is comprised of a County Board member, the county administrator, and two citizen members. The two citizen members are James Honsvall and Frank Rheinberger.
The role of the Audit Advisory Committee is to provide assurance to the County Board concerning the internal and financial controls of the county and to provide greater independence and objectivity to the audit functions.
During 2021, the Audit Advisory Committee met four times, once during each quarter. The committee did not meet in September 2021, due to a lack of a quorum, and a special meeting was held in November 2021.
At each meeting, the Internal Auditor presented the quarterly disbursement and purchasing card reports. The Minnesota Legislature approved this procedure as an alternative to the Auditor-Treasurer’s required presentation of the payment of county obligations to the County Board. During 2021, the internal auditor reviewed all payments that equaled or exceeded $25,000. In addition, a random sample of disbursements of less than $25,000 were included in the testing.
The internal auditor also reported on the use of purchasing card transactions and cash counts in the county.
The county’s external auditors, CliftonLarsonAllen, participated in three of the committee meetings in 2021. At the first meeting, the audit manager reviewed the progress of the 2020 audit, and during the second meeting conducted the audit closing meeting and discussed the 2020 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
Contact: Kevin Corbid, County Administrator, 651-430-6002


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