Laden with snow, these evergreen branches look like they were coated in white frosting. Photo courtesy of Deidre Kettunen
In setting the levy for 2021, Cook County Commissioners nudged their September proposed levy of 4.16 percent down a smooch to 3.95 percent.
Approval came through a resolution made by Commissioner Heidi Doo Kirk and was approved unanimously at the county board’s December 22 meeting.
This dropped the county board’s 2021 proposed levy of $10,765,575, by $23,500.
State law requires counties to approve a final budget and levy by December 28, 2020. The final levy can’t exceed the proposed levy set in September by the county board.
Helping to drive the levy increase is a 9.9 percent hike in the county’s employee health insurance. Commissioners also cited concerns about the future Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) money that is received from the federal government for lands owned in the BWCAW and the disruptions to the economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A thumbnail look at the 2021 budget shows a 1.07 percent increase to the General Fund, a bump of $52,414. While the Highway Fund won’t receive any change to their 2021 budget from 2020, Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) 2020 budget of $2,460,646 will actually be reduced by -3.56 percent in 2021. The Airport fund will get a small increase of $625 to its $94,884 year 2020 budget, while the Building fund won’t see any increase over last year. The 2018 Capitol Bonds will jump 113.99 percent, an increase of $73,564, while the Capitol Notes will raise $3,970, a 6.2 percent hike, and the county will add $391,600 to the Contingency Fund.
Consent agenda items
* Commissioners approved the hire of Adrianna Brisson to work as a support specialist in the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. Adrianna will fill the vacancy left by Stacey Hawkins, who resigned after being elected a Cook County Commissioner.
* Commissioner approved the resignation of Kaitlyn Linnell on December 26 with regrets. Katlyn worked as a dispatcher/ jailer at the Cook County Law Enforcement Center.
A donation of $500 to the Cook County Sheriff ’s Office from Cathedral of the Pines was accepted with thanks.
*Administrator James Joerke presented a $256,250 grant from the State of Minnesota to distribute to Cook County businesses and non-profits under the COVID-19 relief bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature on December 14.
The dollars will be given to Cook County businesses and non-profits whose revenues have been impacted by COVID-19.
Joerke said the Court Administrator and representatives of the EDA and Chamber would determine details of the process, including the maximum award level and selection criteria, jointly.
All of the funds must be distributed by March 15, 2020.
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