Commissioners receive human services update, approve contracts with providers

Jake Keohen, Montgomery Messenger

The Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners received an update on human services activities and approved contracts for various outside services at its regular meeting held Tuesday, Nov. 20, at the courthouse in Le Center.

Sue Rynda, director of the human services department, presented her report of activity, with graphs and charts giving comparisons from previous months and last year. The report included finances, income maintenance and child support and family services.

Rynda also announced a kudos award presented to Brenda Anderson, child protection social worker, for her outstanding service.

On Rynda's recommendation, the board approved Brown County Evaluation Center contracts for detox and detention, a contract with Minnesota Valley Action Council and the South Central Children's Mental Health Initiative Compact.

The purpose of the compact is to facilitate agreement between the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and county mental health authorities in 11 South Central Minnesota counties to redesign and implement new community-based mental health services for children.

Rice County is designated as the fiscal agent for the initiative. The total budget for fiscal year 2008 is $500,000.

Also at the Nov. 20 meeting:

• The board adopted a resolution to have the county assessor do all assessments of property in Le Sueur County. Assessor Dave Armstrong said at present they are doing 20 of the 24 taxing districts in the county, the only exceptions being Cordova, Lexington, Kilkenny and Montgomery townships. This system will provide a more equalized assessment and there would be no additional cost to the county