With about 20 members of the public attending the annual meeting on March 13, a variety of decisions were made concerning the township’s direction for the coming year.
Judy Motschenbacher was elected moderator for the meeting.
Voters approved a preliminary 2019 tax levy of $192,195.36. The levy will be finalized at the continuation of the annual meeting that will be held August 21 at 6 p.m. at the community/ fire hall center.
The budget includes $29,000 for general administration, $29,300 for fire administration; $46,250 for the fire department; $33,750 for the EMS department; and set payments of $44,395.36.
Also included were voter-approved donations of $1,500 to the town of Tofte for the July fireworks and $1,000 to the Lutsen Junior Alpine team.
A request from the township of Tofte for $7,000 to help pay for the general operating cost to run Birch Grove Community Center was approved pending the Lutsen supervisors determining— through legal counsel – if it is legal for the township to donate levy funds for this request.
Also approved was spending $300 to help support the Lutsen Community fall celebration, but the money was already in the budget from financial donations made to the township, noted John Groth, the Lutsen township treasurer.
The Lutsen general administration budget for 2019 was approved at $38,500.
In the annual township election results, Lutsen township clerk Sharon Hexum-Platzer received 32 votes, and township supervisor Christine Ordemann received 31 votes. Both ran unopposed.
Lutsen business owner Jeff Latz asked to have a line item put in the township budget that would support the Lutsen Community Design project. It was decided the funds needed to pay for design work could come from surplus funds, and not from the levy.
The Lutsen Business Association approached the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) for a proposal to help develop a concept plan for community improvements along Highway 61 in Lutsen Township.
Corridor improvements include better signage, vegetation, lighting, improvements to Grand View Park, trail, highway, and pedestrian interactions with new student worker housing facility between the ski hill and Lutsen Town Center. The total cost of the project is between $20,000 and $30,000 with $5,000 going to ARDC as payment to help facilitate the planning process.
ARDC is helping the township seek grants to pay for the improvements.
John Groth read the 2017 audit report. The township’s beginning 2017 balance was $294,134.92. Total receipts for the year were $550,736.06 with total payments of $477,996.35 leaving the ending balance at $366,874.63.
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