Sheriff Tom Kaase presented his department’s budget proposals for 2017 at the September 13 county board meeting.
During his presentation, courthouse security options were discussed. Kaase has about $77,000 included in his budget for a court security person. More options for courthouse security including cameras, one point of entry only, screening people coming to the court room, and card readers were discussed.
The Criminal Justice committee has discussed the possible inclusion of $100,000 in the budget to address security concerns in the building. The money would cover the cost of video, panic alarms, and possible changes to the buildings design.
Commissioner Duane Bakke wanted to know the basis for the $100,000 number and suggested they should form a subcommittee to look into it. He supports the suggestion of one common entrance or at least a limit of just the two entrances across from each other to the main hall. Commissioner Randy Dahl said card readers would not be necessary if all the other doors were locked.
Kaase continued with his budget, suggesting that they could save some money by having highway personnel do routine maintenance (like oil changes and brakes) on his department’s 19 squad cars. He said he has checked with other county sheriffs as to how often they replace their squad cars. Fillmore County has kept theirs about five years, 100,000 miles. Other counties replace their squads anywhere from 80,000 to 160,000 miles.
Bakke suggested they keep a maintenance history record on each vehicle to essentially weed out problem vehicles and keep others longer. Kaase noted that the Impala will no longer be manufactured. Therefore, they will be looking at SUVs and pickups for replacements. There is an expectation that these vehicles will cost more to purchase and to operate.
Endorsement of broadband grant applications
The board unanimously adopted two resolutions endorsing AcenTek’s Border to Border grant applications. The company wants to install infrastructure for broadband in the rural areas surrounding Rushford and Lanesboro.
AcenTek is a locally controlled, private company that is willing to invest to provide new fiber optic connectivity to over 1,225 passings in these rural exchanges. The grants, if awarded, will make the company’s project more economically viable.
The board voted to support the grant applications by making available $75,000 in support of each application. The county’s support will improve the chance of making one or both applications successful.
Some questions were raised about supporting the applications of a private company. EDA director Sam Smith explained the Minnesota Border to Border Grant program encourages investment by private companies and will shorten the number of years it will take a company to regain their investment. Dahl commented if you are a provider and you want to be around 20 years from now, you are going to do this.
Senator Jeremy Miller and Representative Greg Davids both have submitted letters of endorsement.
The county’s contribution will come out of the Infrastructure Fund. It will not be part of the 2017 tax levy. AcenTek is committing to pay back the contribution made by the county over a period of years.
Other business in brief
• The board will set the preliminary levy at their September 27 meeting. County coordinator Bobbie Vickerman listed some potential changes to proposed departmental budgets that will bring the 2017 levy increase down to 6.64%. The board wants to get it to 6%.
Vickerman explained there are 3.7 months of expenditures in the current fund balance. The state recommends that there be five months of expenditures in the fund balance.
In order to bring the levy increase down to 6%, there will need to be significant reductions in proposed departmental budgets. Together, the proposed budgets showed an increase of over 15%, or about $1.4 million. Vickerman listed several saving reductions that have already been identified.
• A resolution was adopted to accept a grant of $215,813.24 from Minnesota State Transportation Fund Account to replace a bridge on CSAH 23 in Canton Township over Wiesel Creek.
Approval was given to purchase a used 70-foot conveyor costing $9,000 to stack sand and salt. Brent Kohn said stacking saves space and time. He said the used stacker is a good buy. A new one costs about $50,000.
County Engineer Ron Gregg asked the board to approve the trade in of a 2014 Diesel Ranger toward the purchased of a 2016 Polaris Gas Ranger 900. With accessories, the cost after trade will be $8,340.21. Gregg said M & M Lawn and Leisure where the diesel was purchased said there was nothing wrong with it. The machine was not designed to climb hills in construction areas. Commissioners Dahl and Harry Root drove the diesel to test its ability to climb grades. Root said it isn’t right and it isn’t safe. Bakke felt M & M shouldn’t have sold the machine for a purpose it apparently wasn’t designed for. The trade and purchase of the gas Ranger from M & M Lawn and Leisure was approved with Bakke and chairman Marc Prestby voting no.
• Cynthia Blagsvedt was reappointed to a 4-year term as county assessor as recommended by the personnel review committee.
Valerie Arnold was hired as an eligibility worker, effective September 15 as recommended by the hiring committee.
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