The Daily Dispatch

Citing tough economic times and a tight budget, Breckenridge city officials hope to relocate a division of the Wilkin County Family Service Agency to City Hall.

Six adult children's mental health and protection workers currently housed in the SunOpta building would move out to allow the city’s sale of the space. Social workers have inhabited the building since 1997.

"We've been losing money on this building for years," said Mayor Cliff Barth at a special joint session with Wilkin County Commissioners on Tuesday. "It's a deficit to us."

If the move is approved by Wilkin County, the group of six would take over approximately four offices in city hall presently occupied by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other officials, who could then be shifted elsewhere inside the building.

Family service pays $200 a month for the space - about $5,000 total for this year, including utilities - and the sale of the space could mean more dollars for the city. No businesses or individuals have yet expressed interest in purchasing it.

Dave Sayler, Wilkin County Family Service director, said highest estimated relocation cost will be about $3,000.

Social workers are largely supportive of the move, said Becky Tripp, social services supervisor.

"They've looked at the space and generally, they're all in agreement to move," she said.

Confidentiality is an issue for family service clients, who are seen by the public as they walk in and out of the current building. It would be about the same at city hall, said Tripp.

Wilkin County Commissioners held the meeting to discuss the idea and will likely make a decision before Jan. 1.

In other business:

• An estimated $111,000 is available in community economic development funds. Contact the auditor's office for further information.

• The board approved adding an extra $5 to the $10 surcharge that accompanies every offense to cover a deficit in the law library fund. The change is effective Jan. 1.

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