For years, Wright County has been a statewide leader in having its government be proactive in the attempt to stop child abuse. Whether it’s through county programs or private organizations supported by the county, the objective has been to not leave the most vulnerable members of society at risk. At the Tuesday, July 20, meeting of the Wright County Board, the commissioners were presented the Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota organization’s Blue Ribbon County Award. Connie Skillingstad said PCAM’s objectives are similar to that of Wright County’s. “Our mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect by promoting positive parenting, healthy families and where children are valued and loved,” Skillingstad said. “Investing in child abuse and neglect before it happens is one of our primary goals.” Wright County was one of 13 Minnesota counties to be honored with the Blue Ribbon Award this year. It was given in recognition of the county’s work with the Courage to Care Council, Child Abuse Task Force Tram, Crisis Nursery, Family Collaborative, Joy Center (for supervised visitation), the WOW Public Health van, Safe Schools Committee and Children First Initiatives. The county established its own crisis nursery 12 years ago and has seen the rewards of its work by a reduction in reported abuse and neglect and accepted the Blue Ribbon Award on behalf of the many people who are working behind the scenes to help the children of abuse stop the cycle. “I want to commend (the board) for your commitment to the children of Wright County,” Skillingstad said. “We appreciate the attention the county has given to the protection of children.” In other items on the agenda, the board: — Accepted the state demographer’s 2003 population estimates for Wright County. In between census years, state funding for cities and townships is determined by the demographer’s household estimates. Commissioner Jack Russek pointed out that Franklin Township disputed its population total as being much too low. According to the 2003 estimates, Wright County’s population is showing no signs of slowing down. The county population for 2003 is estimated at 102,941 – an increase of more than 4,500 from the 2002 estimated population of 98,410. –Authorized Springsted and Associates consulting firm to contract with the county to provide arbitrage services for the county’s pending $8.5 million bond issue for the construction of the new jail. In the past, Springsted has handled such issues for the county. –Approved the minutes of the building committee, which is in the process of formulating a master plan with the DLR Group consultants for the county’s needs and growth issues through the year 2030. The master plan will incorporate such things as population growth, space needs to run county government, the criminal justice system and future growth trends. A series of committee meetings is scheduled in August and September with DLR to discuss accuracy of existing information, budget options, priorities and how to phase in changes. — Accepted the July parks commission report, which included an update of the completion of the Schroeder Park septic system – one of the projects bonded for when the county did its remodeling project at the courthouse. –Refused to make a free speech-assembly provision part of the county’s personnel manual. It was the consensus of the personnel committee that is wasn’t an issue for the policy manual. Assistant County Attorney Brian Asleson said the county has the right to regulate what takes place on its property. It was determined that future assembly requests or issues would be handled on a case by case basis. –Appointed commissioner Karla Heeter and highway engineer Wayne Fingalson to represent the county at the coordination meeting for the I-94-Highway 10 Interregional Connection Project. The plan is to connect I-94 and Highway 10 with a bridge in Clearwater Township, which is in Heeter’s commissioner district. –Set a committee of the whole meeting for 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, to discuss potential cutbacks in the public defenders office. The defenders are facing layoffs because the Legislature did not pass a funding bill that would cover the entire public defender’s line item in the courts budget. –Referred discussion of guided portfolio services for employee health plans to the deferred compensation committee. No time was set, but the meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 26. –Approved payment of $14,012 to Frank Madden and Associates for consulting work performed in a legal dispute against the county.
