New Rice County Administrator Begins Her Duties

New Rice County Administrator Sara Folsted presided over her first County Board of Commissioners meeting today in the Government Services Building in Faribault.

Folsted was the Renville County Administrator for seven and a half years and replaces interim administrator Jack Kemme. Kemme served in the position since former Rice County Administrator Tony Murphy resigned in January.

Commissioners indicated they chose her because of her experience in county and city administration.

During the meeting, commissioners unanimously approved changing their group medical insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield to HealthPartners.

Commissioner Jake Gillen told those in attendance the insurance committee, composed of county employees as well as commissioners, decided against self insurance at this time but that could change in the future. The change in providers was done in large part due to a significant decrease in premiums.

Commissioners also unanimously approved acceptance and ratification of the 2016 Sergeants Unit contract. The one-year agreement calls for the county to increase their contribution toward insurance for a single person from $40 to $50 a month and $85 dollars a month for a family.

All employees who work 75 percent of full time equivalency (30 or more hours a week) qualify for full time.

The 2016 Sergeants Unit contract calls for a 2.5 percent wage increase retroactive to the first of this year plus steps for eligible employees. The contract also calls for 11 paid holidays and there is a change in holidays - Columbus Day was removed and Martin Luther King Day added.