Board to discuss change to Human Services

Published 10:54 am Monday, October 24, 2011

The county board is set to continue discussions about the future home of Health and Human Services.

At Tuesday’s 8:30 a.m. county board meeting, the board will discuss the Law Enforcement Center Remodel.

The county and city both previously designated $800,000 to remodel the LEC. Along with the remodel to the police department and sheriff’s offices, the county has also discussed moving the offices for Health and Human Services to the Government Center once the lease runs out at the mall.

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There are generally three options for Health and Human Services: restructure the lease to keep the offices at Oak Park Mall, move the offices to the Mower County Government Center or build a new energy efficient building on the Robbins block.

Buckley to retire

Despite requests for the county board to reverse their decision, environmental health specialist Bill Buckley’s retirement will be recognized Tuesday.

Earlier this year, the county board combined Environmental Services and the Highway Department into a Public Works Department, which eliminated Buckley’s position.

The move wasn’t popular with area conservationists.

Jim Stiles, president of the local Izaak Walton League chapter, along with several others, expressed their concerns at a board meeting in September. Stiles and others asked the board on to rescind its decision to eliminate the position, as they believe rural septic systems that cause direct pollution are a concern that would be overlooked.