BLUE EARTH– Faribault County will be receiving $18,781 in Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) funds following the approval of accepting the grant by the Faribault County Commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday.

“The EMPG funds allow our county to keep its emergency plans updated on an annual basis,” Faribault County sheriff Scott Adams said. “The funds also allow staff to attend trainings and exercises by paying for a portion of the emergency management wages.”

Emergency Management director Sue Jahnke was also at the meeting and told the board how else the funds were used.

“We will also be able to provide education opportunities to emergency response agencies in our county in addition to our public and private partners in our communities,” Jahnke commented. “Without the EMPG grant funds to assist with wages, we would not be able to devote as much time to emergency management duties.”

While at the meeting, Adams was asked how much interaction the sheriff’s department has with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

“ICE is probably more active in our county than most people realize,” Adams said. “But, they are looking for criminals, they are not swooping down into schools and looking for people. We cooperate with ICE but we do not hold anybody longer than we can legally hold them.”

County attorney Cameron Davis reinforced the statement by Adams.

“Our law enforcement personnel are always good about making sure that someone’s constitutional rights are not violated,” Davis added.

The board also:

— Approved a request by Planning and Zoning director Sara Hauskins to arrange land use training for members of the Planning Commission, the Board of Adjustment, staff and commissioners at a cost of $2,500. The cost of the training would be covered with funds from the County Performance Credit awarded through the county’s feedlot program.

— Approved the request of Amanda Shoff and Kayla Brummond of the Human Recources Department to attend a seminar on Public Sector Human Resources Basics.

— Granted the request of Merissa Lore, Luke Schonborn and Dustin Anderson of the County Drainage Department to attend the Minnesota Association of Drainage Inspectors Annual Conference.