The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners, acting in the role of the Freeborn County Community Health Board, approved a resolution Tuesday demanding labor and delivery services of Mayo Clinic Health System remain on the Albert Lea campus and not relocate to the Austin.

Mayo Clinic Health System has stated childbirth services are slated to move from Albert Lea to the Austin campus in mid- to late 2020 as part of the transition of several services.

The resolution cites the World Health Organization, which recognizes that distance to labor and delivery services increases the risk of maternal mortality.

First District Commissioner Glen Mathiason, whose district covers parts of the county west, north and southwest of Albert Lea, said the transition of services has a large impact on his constituents, as some will be at least 35 to 40 miles away from the Austin campus.

“We just feel that it’s something that’s really important,” Mathiason said, especially considering statistics that show greater risk the further patients have to travel. “It’s very disturbing to me that they’re doing this.”

Fifth District Commissioner Mike Lee said he thinks keeping The Baby Place in Albert Lea is vital for the community, particularly during the wintertime or if a delivery comes quickly. He said he can remember a few times where mothers were not able to even make it to the Albert Lea hospital to deliver their babies.

“We need to keep The Baby Place here — also to help keep young people to stay in Albert Lea and not move somewhere else,” Lee said.

The resolution asks for assistance from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison in securing and maintaining vital health services for the residents of the county.

Rick Thiesse, senior communications media specialist with Mayo Clinic Health System, said the adjustments are being made to ensure both Albert Lea and Austin campuses remain sustainable in the future. The health system began consolidating select services two years ago to continue providing high-quality care to patients, despite “significant rural workforce challenges,” he said. Other services consolidated include the intensive care unit, psychiatry care and inpatient surgery.

“Combining two separate labor and delivery units (in Albert Lea and Austin) into a single unit will lead to an optimal situation and long-term solution for both patients and staff at Mayo Clinic Health System,” Thiesse said. “Prenatal (throughout pregnancy and prior to delivery) and postnatal care (both mother and baby after childbirth) will continue to be available on both Albert Lea and Austin campuses.

“No decision regarding any service changes has been made lightly. We’ve been working to keep our patients and members of the community up-to-date on these changes.”

The county resolution was forwarded to the governor and attorney general’s office.

In other action, the board:

• Approved posting and interviewing for a contract ditch inspector.

• Accepted donations of about $2,691 for the Sheriff’s Office K-9 fund.

• Increased a fee from $60 to $65 per hour for deputies providing security services at community events, such as small-town festivals or at event venues including Harmony Park.

• Accepted a State of Minnesota Federal Boating Safety Supplemental Equipment Grant Agreement that covers from March 1 through Aug. 14 for $1,090. The grant will be used to purchase replacement buoys for boating safety on Fountain and Albert Lea lakes.

• Tabled a request to re-zone two parcels south of Albert Lea in Albert Lea Township from “A” Agricultural District to “R-H” Country Homes District. The property is owned by Todd and Nancy Leach.

The commissioners said they needed more time to review the request.

• Approved a conditional use permit for Carl and Carmen Yost to build a rural cabin in the shore land district surrounding Bear Lake.

• Tabled a request for a conditional use permit to construct and operate a hog confinement nursery made by Matt Holland.

According to information provided the commissioners, the site would consist of a confined structure housing 4,000 head of 10- to 50-pound hogs.

• Placed Brenda Jensen on full-time status as a License Center specialist.

• Placed Amanda Toft on full-time status as an office support specialist for the Department of Human Services.

• Accepted a grant for about $34,000 from the Minnesota Department of Health for a public health emergency preparedness.

The grant project agreement is effective from July 1 through June 30, 2024, and is to be used to work on emergency preparedness activities in the Public Health Department and with partners in the community and region.

• Authorized an application through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for funds for its Family Homeless Prevention & Assistance Program that would be facilitated by SEMCAC.

• Approved the state purchasing land near Myre-Big Island State Park.