Commissioners OK social services contracts

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Several contracts that comprise a large part of Brown County's social services budget were approved Tuesday by the Brown County Board.

The votes bring the county's 2005 budget into greater focus, because they establish the dollar amounts that the county will likely spend next year.

The Brown County Evaluation Center, which, according to director Sharon Rhoades, is seeing more usage and is treating more and more methamphetamine addictions with some difficulty. Commissioners approved two per-day fees -- one for member counties and another for non-members -- and four additional beds for the New Ulm facility.

An addition to the annual contract with the Mankato Rehabilitation Center Inc. was approved, allowing for a 2 percent rate increase over the current contract, which expires in January. MRCI provides employment services for people with disabilities.

In addition, the board passed three contracts with Greater Minnesota Family Services for family-based service programs and family group decision making.

A contract with Counseling Services of Southern Minnesota Inc. for in-home and outpatient counseling services at varying rates for group therapy, individual therapy, assessments and testing was approved. Three mental health services contracts with Sioux Trails Mental Health Center were approved for a total of $209,482.

A contract with Minnesota Valley Action Council for employment services to people on the Food Support Program was approved at $5,819.

The board approved three contracts for waste management and recycling services -- Braun and Borth, for recycling, at $115,435; Waste Management, for recycling, at $210,306; New Ulm Steel and Recycling, for collection and disposal of household appliances, at $12 per appliance . IT also established the county's solid waste service fee at $33 for curbside collection and $16.50 for rural residents as well as the county landfill tipping fee at $13.25 per cubic yard.

Commissioners also discussed staffing issues in the Brown County Public Health Department.