Schroeder supervisors approved the 2016 township budget of $196,334 at their February 9 meeting. Estimated revenues total $125,880, said Town Clerk Doug Schwecke.
It is an estimate because the township does not yet know what its annual payment will be from the Taconite Aid fund. That fund, explained Schwecke, is in part based on collected taxes from taconite production, but because production has been severely curtailed on the Iron Range, it is unknown how much the township will get in 2016.
“I took about $4,000 off from the amount we received last year,” said Schwecke. Schroeder received $68,809 in Taconite Aid in 2015 and Schwecke estimated $64,000 for 2016.
Estimated expenses totaled $130,000, which leaves a negative balance of $4,120, but Alicia Kangas, town treasurer, said Schroeder has a healthy year-end cash balance of $220,454.
While most departments will receive the same amount in 2016, Road and Bridge will get $10,000 more, bringing the total to $45,000. That money will be added to $26,307 left over from last year.
Rick Anderson, in charge of a committee that has evaluated upcoming road and culvert repairs/replacement and created a five-year plan for the work, said the township would have to spend approximately $150,000 in the next five years to keep town roads in good shape. Anderson said the new dollars added to the budget will help get this work done.
After reviewing 2016 numbers for revenue and expenses, Tina McKeever, board chair, said, “It looks like we can keep our 2016 levy of $38,000 the same for 2017.”
Birch Grove funding debated again
The board voted 3-0 to give Birch Grove Community School $10,000 now and $10,000 in June. Originally the plan was to give the school the entire $20,000 in June.
That vote kicked off a lively 45-minute debate about the legality of the township making donations to nonprofits, how much the township should give if it is legal to give, and if a cap on donations needs to be established because every year more and more money is requested from the township.
“I agree we do need to set a limit on donations,” said Tina McKeever. “As far as the legal issues, we have been working with the Minnesota Association of Townships attorney for the last year with Lutsen and Tofte. We aren’t the only townships trying to figure this out. This is going on all over the state and the legislature is working to straighten it out.”
Kangas advocated for sending a survey to all voting Schroeder residents asking what nonprofits they would like to support. She asked that dollar figures be left out of the survey because the board ultimately determines how much the township will give, or not give.
Charlie Muggley went a step further. He asked the board to set up a chart showing the various groups asking for money at the annual meeting and those supporting a group or groups could write checks to them at the meeting.
“That way the people who want to give, will give. It won’t be a vote to spend other people’s money, which is how it has been done recently. The township can then use its money to run the township, which is the way it should be done,” said Muggley.
Kangas also asked the board to end voting for donations at the annual meeting because of the rancor it has caused over the last several years.
“We would still have to let the public vote on service contracts to the snowmobile club or the donation to the Tofte 4th of July fireworks,” said Schwecke.
The board asked Schwecke if he could put together a simple survey and mail it before the annual meeting and he said he could get it done, which the board gave him permission to do.
Regarding any donation to Birch Grove Community School, Tina McKeever read a letter to the board from Lloyd Geillinger. Geillinger, a Schroeder resident, said he was threatening legal action because the school hadn’t attempted to solicit money from towns other than Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder. McKeever said the school was currently asking Finland, Beaver Bay and Silver Bay for money to help pay for the school because students from the those communities attend Birch Grove.
“Should we write back and tell Lloyd that?” asked Schwecke.
“No,” said Tina McKeever. “He always tells us not to respond to him. The only way we can inform him is through the newspaper.”
Fire department gear and benefits
Fire Chief Phil Bonin said one more person had joined the volunteer firefighting crew, bringing his crew to 12. He said he would have to purchase some more clothing and boots because some of the old gear was too small for some newer members. Cost runs around $1,300 to outfit a firefighter, and Bonin said it was in his budget to buy the gear.
Bonin said the shower in the fire hall has been installed and is working well.
Fire Relief benefits have changed from $800 a year to $1,300 and the vestment from 10 years to 5 years. This was an incentive to getting people to join, and it seems to be working, said Bonin.
There were no fire calls in January, said Bonin, a piece of good news for firefighters and the community.
In other Shroeder Township business
. County Commissioner Ginny Storlie said the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) would have five workers checking boats for invasive species this summer and fall. “It’s an effort to keep our lakes here free from what has happened to so many lakes in southern and central Minnesota,” Storlie said.
. Schroeder residents with questions about the county’s appraisal on their property can come to the Board of Appeals meeting on April 12 at 6 p.m. at the town hall. Supervisor Bill McKeever said the county assessor would be there to answer questions. He added that some people who had questions received some property tax relief, so it was worth attending if you feel an error was made on your assessment.
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