After several weeks of budget negotiations with various departments, the county board has approved a preliminary budget with a levy of $6,035,189 for 2010. This represents an increase of $411, 560, or 7.32%, over the 2009 levy. The Minnesota Department of Revenue will review the request, which includes $356,575 in special levies. The proposed budget calls for using up $286,683... READ MORE >
The county board voted Tuesday, September 15, 2009 to pay Erickson Engineering Company of Bloomington up to $3,300 to inspect the Pine River bridge (between McFarland and Little John lakes) at the end of the Arrowhead Trail in Hovland. According to County Engineer Shae Kosmalski, a certified bridge inspector herself, the bridge is in “below average condition,” and she thinks... READ MORE >
At the Thursday, September 10 meeting of the Tofte town board, Supervisor D.C. Olsen reported, “There’s a lot going on at Birch Grove.” The Birch Grove Community School has 40 K-5 students and 12 preschoolers, and the new pellet boiler is ready to go when the weather turns cold. The community room at Birch Grove Community Center will be getting... READ MORE >
The Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) has facilitated improvements and energy efficiency upgrades to 14 homes, with eight more in the works, as well as upgrades to Superior National at Lutsen golf course, but it continues to face crippling legal expenses and debt related to Cedar Grove Business Park. EDA Director Matt Geretschlaeger met with the... READ MORE >
A growing number of state and federal laws seek to decrease reliance on fossil fuels while promoting ecological health. One of Cook County’s largest natural resources is its forestland. Both the language of laws already in place and laws that are being proposed are likely to impact how that resource can be tapped. This summer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency... READ MORE >
“It’s been a wonderful year of teamwork,” Cook County Tennis Association President Gene Glader said at the club’s annual meeting Thursday, September 3, 2009 at Devil Track Landing. A lot of congratulations were handed out that evening because of the efforts of many volunteers who wrote grants and have been helping build the three new tennis courts, new backboard, and... READ MORE >
After beginning a discussion that County Attorney Tim Scannell said was close to crossing the line of employee confidentiality Tuesday, September 8, 2009, the county board postponed a decision regarding Highway Engineer Shae Kosmalski’s plan to return Tim Suck to his former maintenance worker position. Suck is looking for a job in Michigan, where his wife lives, but has not... READ MORE >
The cost of capturing rainwater from the courthouse parking lot will be higher than expected. An engineer’s estimate of $6,831 was quite a bit lower than Crawford Excavating’s bid of $15,264. Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District Director Rebecca Wiinanen and Conservation Technician Tristan Beaster discussed the cost at a Soil & Water board meeting Thursday, September 3, 2009.... READ MORE >
After significant public input and in the midst of court action, the property owned by Bradley Thompson of Thompson Performance will be rezoned. On Tuesday, September 8, 2009, the county board followed the recommendation of the Cook County Planning Commission by voting to rezone Thompson’s three Grand Marais lots on the south side of East Highway 61. The property will... READ MORE >
On Tuesday, September 8, 2009, the Cook County Board of Commissioners authorized a special election to take place by mail this fall. Registered voters throughout the county can expect a mail-in ballot sometime after the mail goes out Tuesday, October 13, 2009. On the ballot will be two questions: One asks if Cook County should impose a 1% sales tax... READ MORE >
