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Bruce Kimmel, a senior financial advisor from Ehlers Public Finance Advisors came before the board to discuss updates to the county’s financial plan which includes revenue and expenditures through 2032. Kimmel proposed a strategy that will be updated periodically for financing the implementation of the County’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
After going through scenarios involving using general funds, the tax levy, bonding, debt service and several other financial maneuvers, Kimmel said he and his firm thinks the county has the “financial capacity to do these things,” and keep “taxes at a reasonable rate.”
What Kimmel was referring to was Option A in the Capitol Improvement Plan (CIP), that calls for, among other things, building a Justice Center at the current Law Enforcement Center. Kimmel said the total estimated cost would be $27 million.
Commissioner Deb White pointed out that the commissioners have not voted to accept the CIP yet, so just what would be included isn’t known at this time.
Administrator James Joerke agreed, but said that the county has immediate “fix-it” needs that need to be addressed as soon as possible before more damage occurs to buildings and more expense is needed to repair them.
Joerke asked commissioners to consider passing the financial plan so work can begin to budget for immediate repairs. Kimmell asked if his company could begin preparing a $5 million bond for the fall, money that could be used to make repairs on the courthouse building and Law Enforcement Center, among other repairs identified in the CIP. Commissioners left that question unanswered.
Commissioner Stacey Hawkins asked who would be in charge of updating the plan because as Joerke said, “There ae a lot of moving parts here,” and as Kimmell reminded them earlier, “This is not a fixed plan, expect it to evolve.”
It was decided that Administrator James Joerke, Auditor/Treasurer Braidy Powers and Bruce Kimmell would update commissioners twice a year about the financial plan proposed by Ehlers.
Commissioner Deb White motioned to approve with a second by Ginny Storlie and all ayes from the commissioners to accept the financial roadmap presented by Bruce Kimmell. Coming soon will be a vote on the CIP, and a clearer picture will emerge of just what the county will spend on making capital improvements.
In other county news:
Merrisa Chapman was hired as a Social Worker 1-Children’s Mental Health worker with the Public Health and Human Services department.
The resignation of Justin Thompson was accepted with regrets from the Cook County Highway Department.
Commissioners passed a motion to update the Cook County Community Center Commercial Tobacco-Free and Smoke-Free Worksite and Grounds policy. The updated policy prohibits employees and visitors from using commercial products on the property of the Cook County Community Center. The policy aligns with the YMCA and ISD 166 tobacco-free environment policies.
Tofte Transfer Station is getting a new attendant 8 ft. by 10 ft. shack at a cost of $3,640 to replace the dilapidated 24-year-old shack now there. Funds to pay for the new building will come from the old landfill fund and not impact the current budget.
Commissioners passed a resolution to accept a $150,000 Federal Recreation Trails program grant application made by the Lutsen Trailbreakers which will be used to pay for replacement of the washed-out bridge over the Poplar River. Lutsen asked the county to act as the fiscal agent for the grant.
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