Posted: 11/27/07
County board pushes ahead with county-based purchasing program
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
In an effort to save taxpayersí dollars, the Houston County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution encouraging the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) to take a more active role in promoting legislation and policies supporting the creation and sustainability of county based purchasing entities throughout the state. The resolution was approved during the Nov. 20 county board meeting.
The county is currently working with Winona, Mower, Fillmore, and Olmsted counties to develop and implement StedFast Health Plan, which is a county-based purchasing entity.
"Weíre finding that different geographical areas require different types of services for their residents," County Personnel Director Tim Comstock said. "And by having a larger customer base, we will be able to negotiate better prices. That, and the fact we should be able to streamline administrative costs, should be a significant cost savings to each of the five counties involved.
"This has worked very well in other areas of the state. Over half the counties in Minnesota are currently involved in some type of county-based purchasing programs. We are confident we will be able to offer better services and lower costs to our residents," Comstock added.
Wireless Internet system approved
Comstock also asked the county board to consider a request to purchase an upgrade with the county highway departmentís wireless Internet system.
"The highway department is currently connected to our computer network through a wireless system, which is outdated and is no longer performing consistently," Comstock explained.
The proposed upgrade would be through CR Solutions in the amount of $10,686.51, and would be paid for through the countyís IS department.
Assistant County Attorney
The county board approved the advertising for an assistant county attorney, which would be a full-time position. The county took a hard look at adding a part-time position during the budgeting process last year, and even approved the creation of a part-time position. But no action was taken.
Comstock explained that Houston County is one of the only counties in the state without an assistant county attorney, and with the ever-increasing case load at the county attorneyís office, both he and County Attorney Rick Jackson felt a fulltime assistant was needed.
The county board agreed with the need for a full-time assistant and instructed Comstock to begin the advertising process in local newspapers and trade publications.
CJC number crunching
Commissioner Larry Connery said he felt the county needed to continue moving forward with the proposed criminal justice center, and added he wanted to have cost estimates for infrastructure work required for the possible sites.
"We need to have all the numbers, and all the issues before us to make the best decision as to where the CJC will be located," Connery said. Connery added he learned Esch Drive from the highway to the public school complex was never dedicated as a proper road. "A red flag came up when I heard this," he added. "We need to have all these issues in front of us. I want to be able to compare all the costs involved."
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