County News

This joint initiative is designed to provide essential support and guidance to veterans navigating the complexities of their claims. 

The Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) recently learned its application for $10 million to help fund a Housing Stability Center in Rochester was not awarded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).

The RCWC serves people 18 and older who are experiencing homelessness. Residents can drop off donations in a “Giving Tote,” located in the Olmsted County Government Center rotunda.

Olmsted County revoked public lodging as well as food and beverage licenses for Oakridge Treatment Center in Haverhill Township on November 22, 2023. This action occurred due to continued concerns about the safety and well-being of individuals in the facility and neighboring communities.

Since January 2023, the Olmsted County Human Services Advisory Board (HSAB) has undertaken a dedicated effort to identify gaps in areas that could impact the mental health of our youth. 

Olmsted County offices will be closed Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24, 2023, in observance of Thanksgiving. Regular business hours will resume Monday, November 27, 2023.

As the holiday season approaches, our community has a wonderful opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of local families facing economic challenges. The Adopt a Family program is back, and we're calling on our generous community to join us in spreading joy and creating memorable moments for those in need.

The December 31, 2023 deadline to file for homestead for taxes payable in 2024 is quickly approaching. If your property is not currently homesteaded, find out if you may qualify and what you must do to change the homestead status of your property.

Property owners wanting to learn more about county budget information are invited to attend a public hearing, the Truth in Taxation meeting, at the Olmsted County Government Center Board Room on December 7, 2023, at 6 p.m. 

On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners approved the 2023 Graham Park Master Plan.

Olmsted County offices will be closed Friday, November 10, 2023, in observance of Veterans Day. Regular business hours will resume Monday, November 13, 2023.

On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance prohibiting the smoking and vaping of cannabis in public places.  

For the second consecutive year, Olmsted County is participating in "Operation Green Light" in honor of the approaching Veterans Day holiday. Beginning Monday, November 6 through Sunday, November 12, 2023, the lights in the Government Center Rotunda will be illuminated green to honor veterans.  

Do you live with a mental illness or have a family member who does? Share your experience and knowledge by joining the Olmsted County Adult Mental Health Local Advisory Council! An informational meeting is being held Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 12:30 to 2 pm. at Family Service Rochester (4600 18th Ave NW, Rochester). A light lunch and refreshments will be available. 

Olmsted County Public Health Services has launched a new program to provide free pasteurized donor human milk to breastfeeding and chestfeeding families in need.  

Minnesota is the 23rd state in the nation to legalize cannabis use for people 21 and older. As this legislation rolls out statewide, Olmsted County Commissioner Laurel Podulke-Smith will be playing an important role as a member of the Cannabis Advisory Council. Podulke-Smith was appointed to serve in this role by the Association of Minnesota Counties’ Executive Committee.

The absentee direct balloting period for the November 7, 2023, special election begins October 20 for Rochester and Stewartville voters, and will continue through November 6, 2023, the last day of early absentee voting.

The annual cost savings of this transition is estimated to range between $200,000 and $400,000.

The Olmsted County website is an essential communications tool to share important information with individuals living and working in our community. We are committed to offering the best service and want to ensure the website is meeting the community’s needs.

Olmsted County is monitoring the potential federal government shutdown if Congress does not pass legislation to extend funding before October 1, 2023. Federal programs and services administered by the county should not experience impacts during a short-term shutdown.

Several PRL services will not be available at the Government Center from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on October 4.

These initiatives will improve operations and services for both the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and Public Works department. 

The Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is taking a significant step toward addressing homelessness in our community by seeking a $10 million grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).

Zollman Zoo at Oxbow Park will be closed to the public from Monday, September 25, 2023, to Friday, October 6, 2023, for necessary maintenance. 

The 2024 preliminary property tax levy for Olmsted County and the HRA combined totals $130,602,041. This will be funded with county and HRA property taxes of $125,692,357 and $4,909,684, respectively. 

As stated on the National Association of Counties’ (NACo) website, this contest is being held “to bolster civic education and educate communities on the role of county government.” 

The deadline to submit art is Friday, September 29, 2023. Full contest details are available on the NACo website.

Beginning Friday, September 22, 2023, through Monday, November 6, 2023, eligible voters in Rochester and Stewartville can vote absentee in the November 7, 2023, special election.

The Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has opened enrollment for the second year of its soil health program. The SWCD encourages Olmsted County farm operators to apply for the cost-share program.

Olmsted County continues its Aaa credit rating streak – the highest possible rating – from Moody’s Investors Service. Olmsted County also received a AAA long-term rating from S&P Global Ratings. In its latest ratings, Moody’s and S&P also both indicated a stable outlook for Olmsted County. 

As the nation observes Suicide Prevention Month this September, Olmsted County aims to raise awareness, build community support, and highlight vital resources available to residents in our area.

Olmsted County Public Health Services is proud to announce that it has received reaccreditation for five years from the Public Health Accreditation Board.

Olmsted County offices will be closed Monday, September 4, 2023, in observance of Labor Day. Regular business hours will resume Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Cover crops, small grains, and soil health will be the focus of a free Dodge Soil Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Olmsted SWCD field day on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, from 3 - 6 p.m., with a burger dinner to follow.

An Olmsted County Kiosk is now available at Families First in Rochester at 126 Woodlake Dr. Olmsted County Kiosks are available in 11 locations around the county and were implemented as a way to eliminate barriers to accessing Olmsted County services.

The Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) has released a draft of the 2024-2027 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), for a 30-day public comment period. The TIP is a multi-year program of federally funded transportation improvements in the Rochester-Olmsted County metropolitan planning area. Public comments are being sought from residents at various open houses in September 2023. 

On Saturday, September 16, 2023, the Friends of Drug Court will be hosting a grownup kickball tournament and free barbeque picnic for residents.

For a second year, Olmsted County has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester to bring a Summer of Discovery to young people in our area. The Summer of Discovery program gives high school students an inside look at the services and resources Olmsted County provides. It also gets students thinking about their lives after school, by exploring and learning about career options within the Olmsted County government organization.

If you would like to make a difference in your community, Olmsted County has volunteer openings on several  advisory boards and commissions.

Olmsted Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, Olmsted County Public Health Services, Dodge County Public Health, Goodhue County Public Health, and area private and public schools have again teamed up to offer influenza vaccinations. 

August 10, 2023, is the last chance to see Olmsted County at Thursdays Downtown! Environmental Resources representatives will be at the county booth on 1st Avenue near Dunkin’ Donuts between 11 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.

There are two more opportunities to catch Olmsted County at Thursdays Downtown this summer – August 3 and August 10, 2023!

The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

With the health and safety of community members a top priority and due to extremely hot weather expected this week, the City of Rochester and Olmsted County remind of ways to beat the heat.

Olmsted County is back at Thursdays Downtown on July 27, 2023! This week Olmsted County Public Health Services will be at the booth with multiple programs throughout the day.

The Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District and Olmsted County Public Health Services are providing free water testing at the Olmsted County Fair for households that rely on private systems for their drinking water.

The commissioners allotted $11.3 million toward the development of affordable home ownership programs, groundwater protection and soil health program, and the development of the Graham Park exhibition center. The county must complete all ARPA funded projects by December 31, 2026.

Olmsted County has started to receive settlement funds through the State of Minnesota, which has signed onto several national settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors. 

Olmsted County is set to receive $7.2 million from two rounds of settlements over the next 18 years. By the end of 2023, Olmsted County will have received more than $1.7 million.

Olmsted County will be at Thursdays Downtown through August 10, 2023. Look for our booth on First Avenue North by Dunkin Donuts!

The Olmsted County Veteran Services team assists residents who have served in the U.S. armed forces. They help veterans secure benefits for transportation, mental health, and chemical dependency services. They also help veterans and their family members access medical, retirement, and education benefits.

On July 11, 2023, Governor Tim Walz announced that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will allocate $380 million to fund eight new infrastructure projects through the state’s Corridors of Commerce program. The Trunk Highway (TH) 14 and County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 44 interchange project was selected to receive $60 million to build a grade separated interchange at the intersection located between Rochester and Byron.

Olmsted County will be at Thursdays Downtown July 13, 2023, through August 10, 2023. Look for our booth on First Avenue North by Dunkin Donuts! A different county program or department will be at the booth each week from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Olmsted County offices will be closed Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in observance of Independence Day. Regular business hours will resume Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

On Saturday, May 6, 2023, Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus customer Ryan Zimmer collapsed at the facility. Employees on shift quickly went into action to help the customer.

This week, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan appointed Karlin Ziegler, the director of Olmsted County Parks, to represent District 6 of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC).

The Olmsted County Soil and Water Conservation District and Olmsted County Public Health Services are providing free water testing for households that rely on private systems for their drinking water. Free nitrate testing will be available at the Rochester Farmer’s Market on Saturday, June 24, 2023.

Effective mid-July 2023, Dave Dunn will be expanding his role as director of both Olmsted County’s Housing and Planning departments.

Olmsted County offices will be closed Monday, June 19, 2023, in observance of Juneteenth. Regular business hours will resume Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

As of June 1, 2023, several election laws went into effect in Minnesota. Residents with felony convictions, who are not currently incarcerated, can vote, and 16- and 17-year-old Minnesota residents can pre-register to vote.

It is important to recognize there are different types of vulnerable adult abuse, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation and scams, and neglect.

The temporary bleachers will provide seating for approximately 2,000 attendees during popular fair events such as bull riding and the demo derby.

Olmsted County Public Health Services will host its 65th annual rabies vaccination clinic on June 14, 2023. In partnership with local veterinarians, this event is an opportunity to help protect our pets, family, and community from the spread of rabies.

The Olmsted County Parks department is excited to offer outdoor aquatic activities for the community at Chester Woods Park for the summer. Amenities include a public beach, boating, and kayak rentals.

Starting this season, visitors to Chester Woods Park can rent kayaks through the Rent.Fun app.

Olmsted County offices will be closed on Monday, May 29, 2023, in observance of Memorial Day. Regular business hours resume Tuesday, May 30, 2023.

The Minnesota legislature approved $23 million in state capital investment dollars to help fund the following Olmsted County initiatives:

-$10 million toward construction of a materials recovery facility (MRF).

-$8 million toward an exhibition center at Graham Park.

-$5 million toward an interchange at the intersection of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 44 and Trunk Highway (TH) 14.

Based on the April 26, 2023, Bleacher Certification Review by the Institute for Environmental Assessment & LS Engineers, Inc., the Graham Park grandstand, originally built in 1938, is not in compliance with the structural inspection requirements. 

Olmsted County is joining millions of Americans in recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month. This month provides a unique opportunity to spread awareness and act on mental health matters.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year. Less than half of them receive treatment. Olmsted County is not immune to this issue.

Residents using Olmsted County Kiosks can now submit documents through the kiosk as part of the application process for State of Minnesota benefits (i.e., food and cash assistance and health care renewals) thanks to new scanning functionality.

Supervised visitation is designed to ensure children can have safe contact with a parent or other significant adults during times of family conflict or transition.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday, May 5, 2023, for the opening of the new nature center at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo.

The new facility replaces a nature center built in 1981. It offers park visitors more room to enjoy exhibits and learn about southeastern Minnesota's geology, flora, and fauna. It is an interactive learning space designed to educate, enrich, and excite nature lovers of all ages.

After more than three years, Olmsted County is officially ending the COVID-19 public health emergency with the repeal of the declaration by the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

Olmsted County Public Health Services will now focus on balancing prevention and living with COVID-19 in our community.

Olmsted County recognizes the important role we each have in a person’s well-being. During National Foster Care Month, we thank the foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, welfare professionals, and other members of the community who help adults, teenagers, and children in foster care find permanent homes and connections.

The county is among 15 organizations chosen from this region as a recipient of Workforce Development Inc.'s 2023 Best Places to Work award and one of five organizations named as a recipient in the Large Employer category.

The free expo is an opportunity for people who have a criminal record and have paid their debts to connect with several support services and opportunities. 

April is National County Government Month, and Olmsted County is excited to share a new animated video highlighting our work and some of the programs and services we provide to the community.

In 2023, four new commissioners began service on the board. In an effort to get to know all of our county commissioners better, a new video series was created to highlight more about the commissioners’ personal and professional lives.

For more than 30 years, the Victim Services team of Dodge, Fillmore, and Olmsted Counties has provided support to people impacted by sexual assault and other crimes.

The goals of the Olmsted County Racial Equity Initiative are to evaluate the 42 recommendations in the joint study of race and racism as a public health issue and prepare an organization-wide response.

April is National Volunteer Month and Olmsted County is excited to share a new video that highlights our amazing volunteers.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month and throughout the year, Olmsted County encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making our community a better place for children and families.

Olmsted County Public Health Services recognizes National Public Health Week, April 3-9, 2023, focusing on community and cultural connections.

This year's National Public Health Week theme is "Centering and celebrating culture in health."

Recently, a notice was mailed to Olmsted County property owners regarding the 2023 assessed value and/or classification of their property. Southeast Minnesota, including Olmsted County, saw average residential value increases between 4% and 15%.