Press Releases

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).

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.

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. This will affect the amount of property tax you pay in 2024, and it may affect your eligibility for a property tax refund.  

The Olmsted County Parks Department will close Chester Woods Regional Park for the management shotgun deer hunt season November 18 through November 26, 2023.

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 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.

The Olmsted County Parks Department will be hosting a Disabled American Veterans (DAV) shotgun hunt at Chester Woods Park.

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’ (AMC) Executive Committee.

The Olmsted County Parks Department will be hosting a DAV bow hunt at Oxbow Park. The Disabled American Veterans Hunt will be October 28, 2023, through December 3, 202

Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following bridge replacement project beginning Monday, October 30, 2023.

Each year the Olmsted County Soil and Water Conservation District sells trees and shrubs in bundles of 20 to 25 bare root transplants (2-3 years old). This is an inexpensive way to simply add color and beauty to your property. The trees are great for homestead windbreaks, living snow fences and wildlife habitat.

Our 2024 Tree Sales Program is officially open for the public to purchase trees and shrubs. The public can make their purchase via the Tree Sales Website.

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.

Canadian Pacific Railway will be performing maintenance work at the railroad crossing on CSAH 7 (Center Ave South) in Eyota beginning Monday, October 9, 2023. 

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

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

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. It's important to note that the preliminary levy is a maximum amount the board cannot exceed when it approves the final 2024 budget and levy on December 19, 2023. If the preliminary 2024 levy is approved in December, the county’s $125,692,357 property tax will be a 5.2% increase over 2023.

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.

The Olmsted County Parks Department will open Chester Woods Regional Park to a limited number of deer hunters during the shotgun season of November 18, 2023 – November 26, 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.

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.

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.

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

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 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. 

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.

Roadway construction work on CSAH 44 (60th Ave NW), as part of the CSAH 4/CSAH 44 project, is scheduled to begin on July 11, 2023.  The intersection of 51st St NW and 60th Ave NW will be opening to provide access to the Pebble Creek development. A closure of 60th Ave NW from the intersection of 51st St NW to the north will be closed to traffic.

Roadway construction work on CSAH 4 (Valleyhigh Road NW) as part of the CSAH 4/CSAH 44 project will be moving into the next stage on June 28, 2023. Traffic will be moved onto the newly constructed section of CSAH 4.

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.

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.

The Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) is initiating a transportation study of the Willow Creek area in the southern portion of the greater Rochester urban area to identify improvements needed to address existing safety and travel concerns, as well as plan for future needs stemming from anticipated growth and development in the area.

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 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.

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.

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.

On May 2, 2023, the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners proclaimed May as Building Safety Month in Olmsted County. 

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.

Roadway construction work on CSAH 4 (Valleyhigh Road NW), as part of the CSAH 4/CSAH 44 project to begin on April 19, 2023.

The 2023 Olmsted SWCD Annual Tree Sale Pickup will take place on Friday, April 28, 2023 from Noon - 7:00 PM at Graham Park/Olmsted County Fairgrounds - Building 25 (Dairy)

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.

Roadway construction work on CSAH 44 (60th Ave NW), as part of the CSAH 4/CSAH 44 project, is scheduled to begin on April 12, 2023.  A closure of the intersection of 51st St NW / 60th Ave NW is required due to underground utilities being installed.

Olmsted County Public Works will be closing County Road 101 for gravel road maintenance training, beginning Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at 8:00 a.m.

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 (OCPHS) 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%.

Olmsted County is hosting an open house on March 29th, 2023, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Aune Hall (Located at Graham Park – 1580 Aune Dr SE, Rochester MN) for the Olmsted County Road 146 Pavement Preservation and Restriping Project.

The public is invited to attend an informational meeting for the official mapping of the selected alternative for the TH 14 Corridor Analysis project.

Olmsted County, in partnership with Family Service Rochester, is pleased to bring its Guiding Partners to Solutions (GPS) program to residents in need at various community locations beginning March 21, 2023. GPS is a team of social workers that works to reduce barriers and connect individuals and families with housing, cash, food, and insurance assistance and provides help in applying for these benefits. 

Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following road updates beginning this week.

The 2023 seasonal load restrictions for Olmsted County roads will go into effect on Friday, March 10, 2023. 

Each year, in October, The Olmsted County Soil and Water Conservation District sells trees and shrubs in bundles of 20 to 25 bare-root transplants. This is an inexpensive way to simply add color and beauty to your property. The trees are great for homestead windbreaks, living snow fences, and wildlife habitat.

Olmsted County social workers are dedicated to providing essential services and resources for our residents.

Olmsted County is hosting an open house for the CSAH 5 and CSAH 25 Reconstruction Project on February 22, 2023, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Byron Fire Department (707 Frontage Rd NW, Byron, MN 55920).

After two years of work, the WinLaC watershed plan is ready for review and comment by the public. The goal of the ten-year plan is to identify and prioritize the water quality issues the community cares about.

January is National Radon Action Month. Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) is reminding residents to test their homes for this potentially dangerous gas.

Radon is an invisible and odorless gas that occurs naturally in rocks, soil, and water. Radon gas decays into fine particles that are radioactive. When inhaled, these fine particles can damage the lungs. Radon is recognized as the second leading cause of lung cancer.