Wadena County Commissioners set elected officials salaries, discuss new voter ballot machines
by Trinity Gruenberg
The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on January 18. Commissioners Bill Stearns and Mike Weyer were absent. Weyer joined on Zoom.
ARPA Funds Discussion
County Coordinator Ryan Odden made two spreadsheets: one with approved proposals to use the ARPA funds, another with proposals to be discussed.
Jennifer Westrum, director of Wadena County Human Services, asked for $200,000. The reason is to have the funds available to protect the county as the county is liable for patients that are stuck in hospitals due to COVID-19 and the extended stays do not meet insurance criteria days. Also, it is due to complications with staff shortages and the need for additional beds. This proposal came as they had previously had over $180,000 they had to pay for direct care and treatment.
Westrum asked the board to consider it and put it in a fund to just sit there, just in case. . .