The county will receive less financial support from the state this year than it budgeted, but it currently has the means to cover that deficit. County Auditor- Treasurer Braidy Powers reported to the county board Tuesday, April 13, 2010 that the loss of expected aid in 2010 is
267,388.
An April 13 memo from Powers to the board states, “The governor signed legislation that reduces County Program Aid and Market Value Credits into law on April 1.
“The county originally budgeted
275,517 in Program Aid for 2010. The governor reduced our budgeted Program Aid in January using the unallotment process. The new legislation reduces Program Aid an additional $47,556, a total reduction of $197,154.
“…In addition, the legislation reduces our Market Value Credits for 2010 from $70,234 to $0, bringing the total loss of expected aid to $267,388.” Powers said Market Value Credits (a state reduction in homestead and residential agricultural property taxes that varies according to the market value of the property) are not figured into the budget so it would not require a transfer of county funds.
Theboard voted to use $197,154 from its BWCA payment-in-lieu-of-taxes fund to make up for the state cuts.
In other news:
» A five-year lease agreement with T-Mobile has been approved for use of the
county tower at the end of the Old Ski Hill Road in Grand Marais. T-Mobile will pay
$1,100 a month the first year with a 3% increase each year after that.
Commissioner Bruce Martinson commended Commissioner Bob Fenwick for his
part in the negotiations. “Great job!” he said.
» T he board approved purchase of two defibrillators at a sale price of $875 plus tax
and shipping, $125 off full price for each unit. The Safety Committee budgeted
$2,000 for the devices, which will be placed at the highway garage and the recycling
center.
» Grand Portage Veterans Services Officer Clarence Everson will be filling in for Cook
County Veterans Services Officer Richard McKenzie who is out sick. The state
approved a request to allow Everson to work up to 16 hours a week on McKenzie’s
duties as part of his full-time employment as a veterans services officer.
The board approved an unpaid leave of absence for McKenzie.
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