Press Releases

2025 Plant Kit and Seed Mix Sale is now open

Olmsted County extends food scrap drop-off program

Olmsted County has updated its rules for cannabis businesses to create clear procedures by March 1, 2025, when licensed cannabis sales start in Minnesota.

2024 Chester Woods Park lottery deer hunt closure November 23-December 1, 2024.

You must apply on or before December 31, 2024. 

Currently, $8 million in grant funding is available to support restorative practices initiatives. To qualify, nonprofits and programs must be in counties with active Restorative Practices Advisory Committees.

2024 Chester Woods Park Disabled American Veterans deer hunt

Rauchwarter has been with Olmsted County for 24 years and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).

Olmsted County and the City of Rochester encourage all eligible voters to participate. 

Olmsted County Environmental Resources Director Tony Hill is continuing his career with Olmsted County as the next division administrator for the county’s Physical Development division (departments in this division include Environmental Resources, Facilities & Building Operations, Parks, Planning, Property Records & Licensing, Public Works, and the Soil and Water Conservation District). Hill will report to the deputy administrator of Physical Development Pete Giesen and will begin his new role on November 18, 2024.

Olmsted County Public Health Services’ Family Home Visiting program and Cradle 2 Career have won the 2024 Maternal and Child Health Betty Hubbard Leadership Award at the community level. This award, created in 1990 by the Minnesota Department of Health, was named after Hubbard, who worked to improve health for women and children. 

Olmsted County is proud to once again participate in Operation Green Light, shining a beacon of hope and support for veterans.

As part of the routine maintenance of concrete pavement, multiple, isolated locations throughout Olmsted County have been identified to be replaced.

Over the past year, Olmsted County has made significant strides in addressing the opioid crisis using opioid settlement funds. Olmsted County’s strategies have included improving education and prevention efforts and supporting programs that help people get into treatment quickly for substance use.

Direct balloting allows voters to insert their ballots directly into a tabulator at the direct balloting location. 

Olmsted County Public Works is announcing a culvert replacement project beginning Tuesday, October 8, 2024, with an expected completion date of Friday, October 11, 2024, weather permitting.

On October 1, 2024, the Community Health Needs Assessment survey was delivered to more than 4,000 Olmsted County households. This survey helps determine the greatest health needs of the county and find ways to improve residents’ health. 

Families interested in learning more or scheduling an appointment at the OMC pop-up WIC clinics can contact Olmsted County WIC at 507-328-7555.

Culvert replacement work on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 7, starting Monday, September 30, 2024

At the September 17, 2024 Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board certified the preliminary 2025 levy for Olmsted County and the Olmsted County Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA). The 2025 preliminary property tax levy for Olmsted County and the HRA combined totals $137,862,741. This will be funded with county and HRA property taxes of $132,690,673 and $5,172,068, respectively.  

The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners has selected Travis Gransee to fill the county administrator role effective October 7, 2024.

Beginning Friday, September 20, 2024, eligible voters in Minnesota can vote absentee for the November 5, 2024, General Election.

Olmsted County is announcing the following centerline rumble strip project starting September 3, 2024. Century Traffic, LLC is the prime contractor for the project. The work is anticipated to be complete by September 13, 2024, weather dependent.

The project includes grinding centerline rumble strips and restriping the center lines on County State Aid Highways 3, 12, and 44, and on County Road 133. Traffic will be maintained on each roadway through the duration of the project and will be controlled using mobile traffic control operations. 

Olmsted County will be interviewing candidates for open advisory board positions during the month of October 2024. Currently, Olmsted County has openings on the following advisory boards/commissions:  Parks Commission, Public Health Services Advisory Board, and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. If interested, apply today!

Olmsted County Veteran Services offers free assistance to veterans and their families in understanding and applying for these benefits.

This annual event, observed across the United States, is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of voter registration and encouraging residents to participate in the democratic process. 

These credit ratings equate to significant taxpayer savings by lowering the cost of borrowing for the county.  

As a crisis line volunteer, you will provide crucial emotional support, referrals, and information to those in need.

Culvert replacement on County Road 112 starting August 25, 2024.

Any Path Home is a coalition of 10 community agencies working to assess needs and develop strategies to address homelessness and ensure everyone has a home in our community. Representatives from the Any Path Home coalition will be providing an update on this work at the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting on August 20, 2024 at 6 p.m.  

Olmsted County Public Health Services will hold a Community Car Seat Check event on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Graham Park. This event, taking place at Crawford Hall, helps parents and caregivers ensure their children are riding safely in the car. 

Minnesota’s primary election is tomorrow, August 13, 2024. Olmsted County and the City of Rochester encourage all eligible voters to participate.

The Transportation Improvement Program outlines federally funded transportation improvements in the Rochester-Olmsted County metropolitan planning area. 

Olmsted Medical Center (OMC), Mayo Clinic, Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS), Dodge County Public Health, Goodhue County Public Health, and area private and public schools have teamed up to offer influenza vaccinations from September 16 to October 11, 2024. 

The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners amended its ordinance for using cannabis in public places and set a limit on the number of cannabis businesses. They will allow up to 14 cannabis businesses to register.

July 31, 2024

In Olmsted County, hundreds of adults are experiencing homelessness. Each person's story and needs are unique. Currently, multiple organizations and agencies are working together to provide essential support to ensure these individuals have basic needs: shelter, health care, and a sense of community

Direct balloting allows voters to insert their ballots directly into a tabulator at the direct balloting location. 

Olmsted County is starting a pavement preservation project on July 18, 2024. Rochester Sand and Gravel serves as the prime contractor for the project, with anticipated completion by August 30, 2024

At the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting on July 16, 2024, the board appointed Pete Giesen as interim Olmsted County administrator. He will officially begin serving in this role on July 29, 2024. Heidi Welsch announced her resignation as county administrator on July 9, 2024. Her last day with the county will be July 26, 2024.

Private well owners in Southeastern Minnesota can now receive free water testing kits and analysis. Funding will be prioritized to participants who have a financial hardship or if pregnant women or infants under the age of one live in their homes.

After 11 years of service to Olmsted County, County Administrator Heidi Welsch has announced she will be leaving Olmsted County to serve as Dakota County manager. She will be working with Olmsted County until the end of July.   

On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Board awarded a construction bid for the development of 10 affordable, single-family homes to Bigelow Homes LLC.

Beginning Friday, June 28, 2024, eligible voters in Minnesota can vote absentee for the August 13, 2024, primary election.

Olmsted County is excited to announce the opening of its new amphitheater at Chester Woods Park. To celebrate, Chester Woods is hosting a grand opening on June 22, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring four captivating musical and dance acts.

Olmsted County is proud to announce the launch of the "Be in the Know" campaign, a comprehensive community initiative designed to inform residents about the dangers of substance use.

The Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), in collaboration with Wabasha SWCD and Winona SWCD, announces the upcoming Conservation field day: Creating a soil health legacy. This event will occur on August 1, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Larry and Ross Greden Farms at 16764 County Rd 114, Altura, MN. All attendees are invited to enjoy a complimentary lunch. 

Olmsted County Public Health Services announces its 66th annual rabies vaccination clinic, scheduled for June 12, 2024. This important event, held in collaboration with local veterinarians, is an opportunity to protect our pets, families, and community from the threat of rabies. 

Interested contractors have until June 14, 2024, to submit their bids online.

Roadway reconstruction work on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5, and CSAH 25 starting Monday, June 10, 2024.

Beginning June 1, 2024, Minnesota will introduce a permanent absentee voter list.

In a significant stride toward fostering a more inclusive and equitable community, Olmsted County proudly announces the creation of the Mobilizing Olmsted Voices for Equity (M.O.V.E.) community council.  

Olmsted County held an open house on May 30, 2024, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Cascade Township Hall (2025 75th St NW Rochester, MN 55906), to inform the public more about the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 21 Reconstruction Project. A project location map is located below.

Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following road construction project beginning Thursday, May 9, 2024. Interstate Improvements, Inc. is the prime contractor for the project. The work is anticipated to be complete by June 14, 2024.

Olmsted County is announcing the following pavement preservation and restriping project starting the week of April 29, 2024.

Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following culvert replacement project beginning Monday, April 29, 2024.

This significant milestone marks the final step in funding the new facility which opened to the public in May 2023. 

Olmsted County proudly announces its designation as a Certified Age Friendly Employer™ by the Age Friendly Institute. This distinction recognizes Olmsted County’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment for individuals 50 and above.

Olmsted County, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), invite residents to attend a public meeting on the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 44 and Highway 14 Interchange Project. 

Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following culvert replacement project beginning Monday, April 15, 2024.

The county is releasing its 2024 – 2028 strategic plan to the community. The plan is the culmination of 18 months of work which involved assessing Olmsted County’s strengths, opportunities, aspirations, results, and challenges. Throughout the process, input was gathered from county representatives, partners, and community members with the overall objective of developing a shared vision for the future of the Olmsted County organization.

The 2024 seasonal load restrictions will be removed on Olmsted County roads starting Monday, April 1, 2024.

Olmsted County Child and Family Services employees are committed to providing services and support to ensure a safe and loving environment for children to grow up in.  

If property owners do not agree with their estimated market value, they are steps they can take to begin the appeal process.

Olmsted County will be interviewing candidates for open advisory board positions during the month of April 2024. Currently, Olmsted County has openings on the following advisory boards/commissions: Public Health Services Advisory Board, Olmsted County Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Chester Heights Sewer District Advisory Board.

Construction on the project is expected to begin as soon as fall 2025. 

The award recognizes D&O’s efforts to implement the Dosage Discharge program, and its commitment to evidence-based practices in probation services.

A presidential primary is held every four years ahead of the general election in November and is a way voters help states and political parties choose presidential nominees.

The 2024 seasonal load restrictions for Olmsted County roads will go into effect on Monday, February 26, 2024.

Olmsted County is announcing changes to two of its advisory boards, specifically the Human Services Advisory Board and the Human Rights Commission. These changes aim to enhance the effectiveness of community engagement, aligning with the county’s commitment to continuous improvement.  

Do you enjoy learning about the animals, plants, rocks, and weather?  If so, you should become a Minnesota Master Naturalist volunteer! Two Olmsted County Parks groups, Friends of Chester Woods and Friends of Oxbow in Rochester, MN are hosting a Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training from April 16 through May 21, 2024.

Absentee in-person direct balloting for the March 5, 2024, presidential primary begins Friday, February 16, 2024. Direct balloting allows voters to insert their ballots directly into a tabulator at the direct balloting location.

Beginning February 1, 2024, the Olmsted County Planning Department will be administering the building permit process for projects taking place within the City of Chatfield.

The Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting an upcoming stop on the “What needs to be regenerated on your farm?” I-90 tour. The event, taking part in collaboration with the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, comes to Stewartville on February 7, 2024.

Beginning Friday, January 19, 2024, through Monday, March 4, 2024, eligible voters in Olmsted County can vote absentee in the March 5, 2024, presidential primary.

Planning is beginning for a new community reuse and recycling center. A citizen work group will be meeting with Olmsted County Environmental Resources staff to provide community input. A future building is being proposed to be constructed on the east side of the existing resource recovery campus just south of the current Recycling Center Plus. The workgroup will identify ways to improve the customer experience and provide ideas for the layout of the new building as well as suggestions on signage and facility flow.

The Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District (OSWCD) is hosting free events in January and February 2024 in partnership with soil and water conservation districts in neighboring counties. The intended audience for these events is local farmers.

In the 2022 Olmsted County Community Health Needs Assessment, the community identified mental health, drug use, and access to care as the county’s top three health priorities. To address these concerns, Olmsted County Public Health Services, Olmsted Medical Center, and Mayo Clinic developed the 2024-2026 Community Health Improvement Plan.