The meeting opened with a discussion about fraud prevention led by Jeff Moan, the operations manager at community services. Moan expressed pride in his team’s ongoing efforts to safeguard public assistance programs from fraud, emphasizing the necessity of their work in ensuring that benefits are distributed only to eligible applicants. The team is responsible for handling fraud, collections, and claims, playing a role in the community’s financial integrity.

Moan provided an overview of the Fraud Prevention Investigation (FPI) program, a grant initiative under the Office of Inspector General, which requires a $3 cost-benefit ratio to maintain funding. He highlighted the past two years’ successes in identifying fraudulent activities, citing a significant case involving $250 million in misappropriated funds meant for child assistance.

A commissioner queried whether instances of fraud had risen during Moan’s tenure, to which Moan replied that while fraud attempts have become more sophisticated, the team continues to focus on addressing blatant cases. Michelle, a newer fraud investigator, described a trend of applicants falsely claiming Florida residence to procure assistance, detailing the investigative process that includes subpoenaing IP addresses and collaborating with other agencies.

The dialogue also explored criteria for program eligibility and the investigative procedures for flagged applications. Financial workers play a role in assessing eligibility, using their referrals to pinpoint potential fraud. The conversation concluded with a consensus on targeting intentional fraud while recognizing that most assistance users are genuinely in need.

Legal prosecution for blatant fraud cases was another topic of interest. Michelle stressed the importance of collaborating with the county attorney’s office, noting that successful prosecutions depend on clear evidence and navigating legal thresholds. Moan explained that a recent Department of Human Services mandate led to the forgiveness of many medical assistance-related overpayments, reducing recoveries in that area. The team is pursuing intentional fraud cases within the constraints of medical assistance programs, which do not allow disqualification based on fraud alone.

The meeting transitioned to a discussion on estate recovery, a process by which the county claims savings from the estates of deceased individuals who received medical assistance. The county collected $563,000 in 2023 and $483,000 in 2024 thus far, with a stretch goal of approximately $560,000 for the year. Challenges in estate recovery arise from families often lacking the funds to repay the state, and the variation in recoveries depends on claim sizes and the deceased’s assets.

The county’s ranking as eighth in state recovery efforts underscores the collections officer’s diligent work. The officer collaborates with families on recoveries, often focusing on assets like homes. The county retains roughly 25% of recovered funds as an incentive.

The session also delved into the development of Crow Wing County’s inaugural long-range transportation plan. A transportation planner introduced this initiative, which will guide transportation development for the next 15 to 20 years, requiring updates every five years. The plan aims to consider a comprehensive approach to transportation infrastructure, including roads, transit, biking, pedestrian pathways, freight, and air transport.

Feedback from the board was requested on key elements of the plan, which seeks to be uniquely tailored to the county’s needs rather than relying on templates from other regions. A timeline was proposed to complete the plan by December 31st of a specified year, with further discussions anticipated in upcoming meetings.

A notable aspect of the transportation discussion was the SS4A Grant (Safe Streets and Roads for All), for which the county applied for $200,000 in federal funding, requiring a $50,000 match. The decision to conduct the planning process in-house was highlighted as a strategic choice, leveraging the county’s staff expertise.

Public engagement was encouraged through a project website under development, designed to allow residents to comment on specific locations and issues within the county’s highway system. This tool aims to gather targeted feedback on traffic safety and infrastructure concerns, facilitating community input into the planning process.

The meeting concluded with discussions on land use ordinance updates, focusing on dwelling units per parcel and setback averaging. The board decided to maintain the restriction of one dwelling per parcel, aligning with the Planning Commission and DNR’s recommendations. Setback averaging was also addressed, intended to reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining environmental protections.