Two Cook County commissioner candidates are vying to represent District 4, the Gunflint Trail area. They are Dean Berglund and Ann Sullivan. The Cook County News-Herald asked them a series of questions concerning county government. Below are their replies.
Q- Do you think the 2019 short-term vacation rental ordinance passed by the county board that was put on hold should go into affect? Or should the county wait until the state makes a unified law for all counties and follow those guidelines when it concerns the taxes paid for these rental properties?
Dean- I would recommend the county wait until the state makes a unified law for all 87 counties.
While Cook County Assessor Robert Thompson has stated that, “Historically, it has been left up to the local jurisdiction to decide classification,” the state has found “all over the place” differences among the various local jurisdictions within the state creates problems.
So much so that, back in 1984, Governor Rudy Perpich created a Tax Study Commission to address the problems created by inconsistent tax policies related to property classifications. The commission was tasked with conducting “a systematic and evenhanded examination of the Minnesota system.”
But short-term vacation rental isn’t just about classification. It’s about public health and safety, disgruntled neighbors objecting to vacation party houses with absentee owners, parking issues, the hotel industry seeking a level playing field, and communities looking to reap lost tax revenues.
I believe the state needs to identify a set of guiding principles, goals, and recommendations that will provide a simple, levelheaded, and impartial unified tax law, a system that the county can understand and supervise.
Ann- I do think that the county should move forward and make that ordinance operational, due to budget concerns I have related to the pandemic. Given the facts (1) the state is “in the red” at this time, and (2) our legislature seems paralyzed and unable to take much action right now. I would like Cook County to take in that 1.25 percent higher rate than the current residential tax. Our county board worked to eliminate confusion and establish fair property tax assessments for short-term rentals. There is concern in our county that vacation rentals drive up the price of our housing stock, making the availability of affordable housing even less. This vacation rental ordinance was established to be fair and assist in providing revenue right now.
Q- If there were a shortfall in the general budget, what steps would you take to balance the budget?
Dean- Minnesota is supposedly known for fiscal innovations undertaken to spread the tax burden with fairness. I would suggest: 1) A review of all revenue sources, including any available funds pocketed away or non-traditional sources of possible revenues; 2) I would work with the budget committee and fellow commissioners to ask department heads to cut their budgets by a certain percentage; and, 3) I would prioritize “needs” vs. “wants.”
It comes down to a matter of priorities; no different than a family’s budget when monies are tight.
Ann – First, rather than raise taxes, I think it is important to determine where budget reductions can occur. During my 15 years serving as a principal, there were several years where significant budget reductions were necessary in the school districts where I was working, as well as across the State of Minnesota. With the assistance of colleagues, we developed a forced choice matrix, which is a decision making technique that builds consensus. This process takes into account facts and input provided from those that will be affected by the decision. The final budget must make sense to all. Not everyone may be pleased with the final budget, but commissioners must agree that they can abide by and support the budget. The forced matrix process is one, which can be run by a facilitator, most likely our new county administrator. The process makes those involved feel more committed to the decision and would enhance the effectiveness of our county board.
Q- Cook County Public Health and Human Services needs more space for its workers. Would you vote to build a new building, add onto the current courthouse, or seek to have some employees work from home as they have done during the COVID-19 pandemic? There are a myriad of ways to approach this, what solutions would you seek to solve this dilemma?
Dean – Sometimes, as we are all finding out, when you are thrown into “uninvited” circumstances, you are forced, out of necessity, to try something new.
While working from home is certainly not something new, it is growing in its popularity. In 2015, it was estimated that almost 45 percent of US employees worked remotely, mostly from home. By 2020, it is estimated that about 50 percent of the workforce will be working remotely.
First thing I would recommend would be to ask the Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) Department Head, employees and those they serve, “How’s it working?” The priority should be accomplishing what we set out to do, based on our mission, which in PHHS is to “support the health, safety, and well-being of our community.”
If we can accomplish this while maintaining the well-being of our employees and saving the taxpayers money, then why commit to building or expanding structures that are going to add to the taxpayer’s burden.
Ann- Right now, given the many uncertainties brought by the pandemic, uncertainties that may dwell with us for years, I would like to see working from home brought under consideration. It might be best to start with surveying staff and their clients to determine the effectiveness of the last six months of this model. Given a generally positive response from most, we certainly have the infrastructure, hardware and software to successfully continue doing this until we have a better handle on post-pandemic economics. Tele-commuting is actually one of things I’d like to see promoted to help Cook County continue to attract and keep individuals and families here.
Q- Commissioners make policy and plan for long-range situations. Is there any policy (pick one) that you disagree with and if so, how would you like it changed so it affected a better long-term outcome?
Dean – Access to public information. As public servants, we shouldn’t make those we serve have to jump through hoops to find out what their government representatives are up to.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a key tool for transparency in government. It is through the FOIA that the public learns what the government is doing and can thereby hold a governing body accountable for its decisions and actions.
I believe a community and its people are better served by open government. Citizens shouldn’t have to pry from the government’s vaults to get information. When the public wants to see what their officials are up to, they shouldn’t be met with resistance, hostility, or even retaliation.
I would support changing our present policy, related to access to public information, in hopes of building more meaningful relationships within our community; relationships rooted in trust, empathy, transparency and accountability.
Ann- Rather than changing a county policy or ordinance, based on conversations I have had during my candidacy, I believe enforcing our existing policies and ordinances would be something residents would like to see. I’ve spoken to numerous individuals who have described issues– related to noise from a vacation rental impacting them in a negative way– to other individuals who feel their property, when recently sold, had a selling price impacted negatively by junk vehicles in a neighbor’s yard. If we are going to enact policies and ordinances, we should do our best to enforce them.
Q- There has been a discussion about making the Cook County Law Enforcement Center into a holding center that would allow inmates to be housed there in confinement for longer than three days. Are you in favor of adding onto the current facility and moving to making the law enforcement center larger?
Dean- It’s not as simple as additional nights of stay. State Statute outlines specific requirements that must be met when changing jail facility classification. Meeting these mandated requirements would add significant cost to Cook County’s Law Enforcement Center.
In addition, during facility inspections, the State’s Department of Corrections has not indicated or promoted a need for expansion to the present facility.
The other thing to be aware of is capacity. During the past 22 years of operation (since 1998), the highest occupancy has been 12, which happened only once during this span of time.
Expansion would require:
Expanding Infrastructure; additional programming; adding additional staff positions; furniture and fixtures; increased utilities; increased janitorial; increased food service; laundry, and increased maintenance.
Ann – I remember reading about this and listening to a radio interview on WTIP about this some time back. There were aspects of the project like the roof, windows, and the air handler which absolutely need attention now, just for energy efficiency and the comfort of staff working at the facility. It seems the garage where arrested individuals are brought in, is way too small given the size of today’s vehicles. Such a small area puts our deputies in harm’s way if they’re dealing with a combative individual. That remodeling or renovation I would personally support. As to adding the space for additional individuals who can stay longer (72 hours), along with other spaces (a room for programming like AA or a multipurpose room for inmates exercising) required by the Department of Corrections, as well as additional staff, I would want to study that in more detail to look at the cost effectiveness of this over years. I don’t know, given today’s economy, if it is appropriate to look into at this time.
Q – The County Highway Department road/bridge fund tends to be an issue when the budget is getting ready to be set. In the past commissioners sometimes made cuts to the highway department’s budget to lower the levy. Still, residents often complain that not enough money is spent on the upkeep of county roads. Would you seek to maintain a balance that allows the roads/bridges to be repaired/replaced without cutting the highway budget?
Dean- When discussing the county’s roads and bridges, it is important to understand: 1) What cuts are being made by commissioners; 2) Who is responsible for what roads/bridges within the county; and, 3) Where money comes from to fund road/bridge maintenance and projects.
Previous cuts made by commissioners to the Highway Department’s budget usually involved reducing budgeted dollars for capital purchase requests, primarily heavy equipment used to maintain the county’s system of roads, and calcium chloride (used to hold down the dust on county roads).
Cook County consists of a network of roads/ bridges that fall under the jurisdiction (responsibility) of the county, state and federal forest system.
3) Highway Department revenues come from six basic sources: The major source is the Local Tax Levy (approx. 41 percent); State-Aid Construction (Approx. 27 percent); State- Aid Maintenance (Approx. 22 percent). The other two significant sources; Charges for Services (Approx. 5 percent); Federal Grants (Approx. 3 percent) and Miscellaneous Revenue (Approx. 2 percent). Keep in mind these numbers vary from year to year.
Major road and bridge maintenance and construction is budgeted based on the allocation of State-Aid gas tax monies as well as the county levy.
In an informative January 2020 article contributed to Lake Superior News by former Cook County Highway Engineer Krysten Foster, she states:
“Each year the State of Minnesota calculates revenues from the prior year’s motor fuel taxes, motor vehicle sales taxes, registration fees and other relevant sources, and the state distributes these funds amongst public road authorities in February. These revenue sources are collectively known as highway users income.”
To the extent decision makers are able to anticipate funding, projects can be scheduled. Given the time it takes to accumulate enough funds for some projects, it is important to prioritize these dollars.
Ann – If we need to reduce the budget or lower the levy, we certainly need to look at all aspects of our budget, including the highway departments. But, given that, we also know that providing safe and efficient road and bridge systems are a priority for our residents and to promote economic strength for Cook County. I think that much will depend on what happens to the federal and state funding we receive. Maintenance needs to be our priority, with planning, design and construction coming in second. At a minimum, our residents deserve roads that are maintained for their safe use.
Q- Over the past several years Cook County has had the highest–or one of the highest–levies in the state. Some counties keep their levy at 3 percent or lower, unless they run into an emergency. Short of an emergency, do you favor capping the levy at 3 percent?
Dean – Here’s a couple of things to consider. The cumulative total of levy increases in Cook County between 2015 – 2020 were the highest in the state. And three of those six years found Cook County either at the top of the list or second in position.
That means 86 county groups of decision makers– out of the state’s 87 counties– managed to find ways to spend less tax dollars than our county commissioners. And the difference isn’t by fractions of a basis point or even one or two points. The next closest county comes in nearly ten points less (9.551 points, to be exact) over this period of time.
When our County reflects these numbers and you have commissioners patting themselves on the back after a budgeting cycle, saying, “This was so much easier this year,” it’s easy to see why we are in need of new representation.
Ann- Yes, Cook County has had one of the highest levies in the state over the last few years.
Although it might be easy and popular to say cap the levy at 3 percent, barring emergencies, there are many factors to consider. If we cap a levy “barring emergencies” we must first define emergencies. It is also important to note that statewide in 2020, certified property tax levies, as reported by the Minnesota Department of Revenue came in at a 4.5 percent increase. The purpose of the levy limits is to ensure that state aid reduces property taxes and limits their growth. State aids are used to calculate limits, and those levy limits are based on taconite aid, county program aid, and local government aid. When a local government’s aid increases, its maximum allowed levy decreases. To the contrary, if our local aid decreases, it allows levy increases. We need to anticipate our aid, along with determining our fiscal needs, when setting the levy.
Q- Pick any county related topic you would like to see addressed and explain why it needs to be addressed and what you would propose to fix it.
Dean- I would like to see a change in the culture of Cook County’s leadership. I have personally observed leaders who initiate warm, cooperative relationships and wisely nurture a climate of shared trust. They authentically earn people’s trust. The role of a commissioner is supposed to be to represent those who elected them and to ensure that the concerns of people are listened to, considered, and, where appropriate, acted upon. It is a matter of trust.
Cook County needs a person in the position of commissioner who fights the urge toward self-importance. An individual who works effectively with a variety of people, including those with conflicting or competing interests. A person who respects individual differences and roles, and works to ensure all voices are heard. A person who serves as a unifying, rather than divisive, leader within the county.
Like I said, I would like to see a change in the culture of Cook County’s leadership; especially after what we’ve been through in recent years.
Ann – We can be proud of Cook County’s history, as we elected by a landslide following his appointment in 1972, John Lyght, an icon in Minnesota law enforcement as the only elected black sheriff in the state’s history. He served Cook County well for over two decades. Yet, today, equity is a topic that still needs to be addressed, because it is clear that racial inequity continues to lead to an imbalance in health, justice, and education. Our inequities reflect that racism is unfortunately alive and well here; this has been brought to the forefront due to the pandemic and the killing of George Floyd.
To start with, I’d like to see a thorough review of our policies and practices throughout the county. I am not so sure I see Cook County’s minority population reflected in our county leadership, staff, or other institutions. I applaud action to examine racism within each of us, our local institutions, and begin a process of education and growth. Let’s move forward with an open mind to proactively create equity in our county. This absolutely includes further developing and improving our work with Grand Portage.
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