Rice County adds EDMS to expedite Social Services
Rice County commissioners approved hiring a company to install an electronic data management system to help expedite social service applications. As you’ll recall Rice County got far enough behind in processing claims that the State threatened them with sanctions. They then hired two full time employees to help assist Social Services although 4 were requested. Commissioner Galen Malecha says the new system using bar codes to create greater efficiency. Each applicant would be assigned a bar code and their information will follow them. There are several other counties using this management system. Staff looked at 2 different kinds but found this one to be more user friendly and costs less. The county did catch up enough to halt any action from the state by using overtime and social workers from other counties. Malecha will also keep us updated on the upcoming budget process.
Fire Service Study group takes first steps toward a Fire Service District
The Fire Service Study group met on Thursday. The first order of business was to elect officers. Glen Castore was elected Chair, Councilor Erica Zweifel is Vice Chair and Lee Runzheimer is Treasurer. They decided to approach moving forward in 2 phases. In phase one they’ll hire a consultant to look at all the options. Based on the data they’ll then ask the consultant to recommend the top 2 or 3 options. Phase 2 would then be an opportunity to dive deeper and get a better plan. The options will then be presented to each regional entity involved to make decisions themselves as to whether they want to form a Fire Service District based on the recommendation. Their next meeting will be in 2 weeks.
You too can add to the agenda
If you want an item on the City Council agenda, you have an option and a process. While there’s always been a mechanism to put an item on the agenda, Mayor Rossing spelled it out for councilors and the public at last weeks work session. As a citizen you need a council member behind you to bring it forward and then another councilor needs to second the motion to add the time. Rossing explains what you need and what a council member needs. As a citizen you need a council member behind you to bring it before the group, then another councilor to second the motion to add the time. The council members bringing items forward may or may not agree with the item but feel it has enough merit to discuss. Rossing also says 2 questions need to be answered, “how does this fit council goals” and “why is it important to bring it up now”. You’ll also want to have supporting documents and a written sample motion. If an item is brought up at a council meeting, it may or may not get on the agenda for that evening. The option is to wait and place it on the published agenda to give the opportunity for public comment.
100 signatures collected for Clack
18 year Northfield resident Tim Clack was on Bridge Square this weekend collecting signatures calling for Council to reverse their decision in regard to the Lease purchase bonds the City Council is using to finance the new Public Safety Center. He received approximately 100 signatures and plans on giving more opportunities for residents to sign.
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