The county board could have set its 2014 proposed levy 11.4 percent higher than this year’s levy to reflect anticipated cost increases and budget requests from departments, but it didn’t.
The board set the proposed levy at its September 10 meeting since state law required that it be set by the 15th. The amount of its levy could be decreased between September and December when the final levy amount is decided, but it cannot be increased.
Expenditures for 2014 are expected to be $18,520,520, and revenues are expected to be $11,714,903. By using $513,241 out of its fund balance, the levy would be $6,292,376, a 2.9 percent increase over this year. This will require taking $334,457 out of the general revenue fund, but that will make the difference between an 11.4 percent increase and a 2.9 percent increase. Budget cuts between now and December could bring that increase down further.
The board will have a budget workshop after its regular meeting on September 24.
Council on Aging audit
After some questions were raised during 2014 budget request hearings, the county board decided to write a letter to the Cook County Council on Aging recommending that they pursue an audit of their books.
The council, which operates the Cook County Senior Center, is a nonprofit organization that has been receiving approximately $80,000-$110,000 a year from the county in recent years.
Commissioner Jan Hall, the county board liaison to the council, said she has never seen anything out of order in how the council conducts business.
Commissioner Heidi Doo- Kirk supported the idea of an audit. She took issue with the council’s decision to spend money on an employee pay raise instead of paying for an audit that had been suggested previously. Commissioners Bruce Martinson and Sue Hakes also agreed that an audit should be done.
Both Commissioner Hall and Commissioner Garry Gamble, the county board alternate liaison to the council, said people had come to them with concerns about the budget. “Credibility and integrity” with nonprofits is “hugely important,” Gamble said, and an audit would be a way to provide oversight and ensure that best practices are being followed. He said he considered the county suggesting an audit part of the county’s “stewardship responsibility.”
Commissioner Gamble preferred to recommend an audit before requiring one, and he agreed to write a letter to that effect. If they chose not to get one, he said, the county board could then require it. Commissioner Hakes recommended that the county board be clear that the council’s funding is dependent on getting the audit.
Highway Department
The Highway Department will be trying to fill the position vacated by Bill Bohnen, who is moving to Arizona to enjoy a warmer climate. The board accepted his resignation with regret and authorized Highway Engineer David Betts to fill the position from within the applicant pool from the last time they hired or to advertise if necessary.
Engineer David Betts reported that reconstruction of the west end of Highway 7 was almost done. Commissioner Sue Hakes said, “I’ve had a lot of calls on the County Road 7 project, and they’ve all been positive.” Betts said the east end of the road would be redone in a few years.
The Highway Department has been working on striping some of its roads. Commissioner Bruce Martinson said he was happy to see the 25-foot no parking buffer zones by the Cook County Schools parking lot entrances. They will improve sight lines.
The department will be advertising for bids for winter maintenance of the Subordinate Governmental Service Districts.
Sheriff’s Department
A $74,224 grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be used to replace a Sheriff ’s Department squad car. This grant has been available to counties bordering Mexico and Canada.
Sheriff Mark Falk said new squad cars would now be black and white, the colors the state is requiring county squad cars to be.
The county board also approved acceptance of a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources grant of $29,080 to the Sheriff ’s Department for OHV Safety Enforcement for 2014 and 2015.
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