Meeker County Board Meeting

The Meeker County Board of Commissioners received an update on Tuesday from Health & Human Services Director Tina Schenk on the federal government shutdown’s effect on SNAP benefits. She says 752 Meeker County households are not receiving their November benefits.

Schenk says most of the adults who receive SNAP benefits are working, except for the disabled and elderly. She says the September SNAP dollars totaled $203,182 and most of that is spent locally. Schenk says she’s working with the Meeker County Food Shelf and local churches to help local residents get the food they need. The County Board approved of Health & Human Services using $10,000 to help fill the gaps due to the lack of SNAP benefits in the immediate future as the government shutdown continues.

Meeker County Administrator Andrew Letson asked the Board for permission to add supplemental information with the truth-in-taxation statements explaining the reasons for changes in the levy. At the beginning of the meeting, Keith Johnson spoke to the Board and asked them to reconsider a cut that was made in funding for the Meeker County Museum which is at $15,000 for the 2026 budget, compared to $27,500 last year. Commissioner Steve Schmitt explained that they are planning to cut several other items 100% in the next year due to the cost shifts that the state is passing on to county governments.

Upon completion of the remodel in the Justice Center it was learned there were areas at the security station and new court holding area that had no ARMER radio coverage. This leaves the security station deputy and detention deputies with the inability to hear or transmit ARMER radio transmissions. The Board moved to approve of a quote from DSC Communications for a BDA system at $30,305 which will help to address this issue.

The Meeker County Board of Commissioners also heard an annual report from Health & Human Services Supervisor Kristi Koelln regarding disability waivers and adult protection.