About a dozen property owners attended the public hearing regarding the Fillmore County 2019 budget and levy.
County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman reviewed 2018 county activities and the 2019 proposed budget. One 2018 highlight is the active participation in legislation that resulted in a significant increase in County Program Aid for 2018 and 2019 and a leveling of CPA from year to year there after.
Courthouse security equipment was installed and was implemented this last fall. County Engineer Ron Gregg continues with a Road Preservation Plan using additional funds obtained through Local Option Sales Tax and Wheelage Tax.
In an effort for staffing efficiency, every time there is a retirement that position is reviewed and decisions are made about replacing that employee or otherwise dispersing those responsibilities. David Drown & Associates has completed a countywide compensation study.
Centralized supply purchasing and shared copy machines have saved the county $10,000. Software programs and telecommuting have improved efficiency.
For several years now the county has been participating in Performance Measures. The county had 13 performance goals in 2017. The results for 2018 will be submitted in July 2019.
The county met its goal of maintaining a pavement quality index of 72. The goal to limit tobacco use to the National benchmark of 14% was met.
Fillmore County excels when it comes to child support program effectiveness. The county collects $8.61 for every dollar spent on the program, much better than the state average. Social services and the county attorney work together on this.
The county beats both the state and national average with only 3.8% low birth weights.
All assessment classifications fall between 90 and 105%, this performance measure was reached. All documents were recorded within the 10-day turn around time. The performance measure for elections was reached with 100% post election results.
A goal to increase by 5% state and federal dollars brought into county for veterans benefits was exceeded, the increase was 11%. A goal to maintain 85% of veterans receiving services/benefits was exceeded; 86% received services/benefits.
A goal to keep the debt service levy under 11% was exceeded; the debt service levy in 2017 was at 2.73%. The goal for a 40% recycling rate was exceeded at 41%.
There was a performance measure to reduce accidents that involve fatalities and injury; in 2017 there was one fatality and 10 injuries.
The goal for 7,200 per 1,000 residents for annual library visits was not met again this year. There were only 5,793 visits per 1,000 residents.
2019 goals and objectives
The county is working to maintain and build its fund balance with the goal of reaching state recommendations. In 2019 the Airport Master Plan is to be implemented. The budgeting process will start again in mid-summer.
The county will evaluate Managed IT Services which began in 2018. Vickerman suggested the county saves about $100,000 with the service. Two IT positions were eliminated.
Having gained savings with centralized purchasing of office supplies, the county is looking at saving by using centralized purchasing for cleaning supplies.
2019 budget
The total budget will be down about $3 million (state and federal dollars) in 2019 due mostly to the number of highway projects. This last year the county finished its largest highway project, CSAH 1.
The proposed county portion of the tax levy shows an increase of $324,618, or 3.49%. County Program Aid is increased by $78,766.
A 2.5% COLA increase has been proposed.
Funds have been budgeted to implement the Compensation Plan. The donation of $300,000 for the State Veterans Home has been budgeted.
The county board will certify the 2019 final budget and levy at its December 18 meeting.
Questions
Property appraiser Brian Hoff offered to discuss anyone’s property valuations upstairs at the assessor’s office. He said he can’t do anything about 2019 valuations which should have been discussed last spring. He could look at valuations for taxes payable in 2020. Most members of the public at this meeting followed him upstairs.
Hoff noted that about three-quarters of the calls he has taken since the election relate to the Kingsland School District. Kingsland’s Truth in Taxation meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 17.
A property owner in the city of Rushford Village complained about his 911 sign which was faded and unreadable. Original signs were provided by the county. Replacements will need to be ordered and paid for by the property owner.
This man’s greater complaint was his inability to get a variance to build an accessory building on his 2.5-acre property. The city of Rushford Village has their own zoning regulations, so the county could not do anything for him. They suggested he contact an attorney. He believes his property valuation is too high considering he has been prohibited from building. He will also meet with an appraiser in the assessor’s office.