Caledonia Argus

County department heads prepare for budget cutbacks

Posted: 5/27/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

County department heads are trying to figure out where they can trim their budgets in anticipation of state funding cuts.

Tim Comstock reported to the county board on May 20 that department heads are meeting twice a month in an effort to come up with cost-saving measures.

ìThe public will feel the effects of whatever we do. Our goal is to provide the best service available with the money we will have available,î said Comstock.

The county faces possible cutbacks of $209,000 for the fiscal year 2003.

From the sheriffís office came the suggestion that prisoners pay $20 per day towards their keep. Commissioner Kelleher asked if the county could actually expect to gain anything by instituting such a charge.

It was noted that if the debts arenít paid, the person who had been jailed can have difficulty getting loans and so will eventually pay their fines. The county currently charges back the cost of detox treatment, and human services director Beth Wilms said that if those charges are not paid by the individual, they are taken from the personís tax refund.

Reduced work weeks, layoffs and a reduction in courthouse hours are other possibilities.

Human Services is expected to be hit hard with cuts. Wilms said that waiting lists for many services will probably be established. In addition, things that have been paid for in the past will no longer be offered, such as camperships for disabled children and adults. Another area that could be affected is out-of-home placements. Out-of-home placements could be limited to only those ordered by the court.

In the area of public health, staff has already been reduced by 33 percent as a result of positions being vacated and not filled. Commissioners were told to expect a 66 percent reduction in home visits for families in need of parenting support. There may be an increase in fees for home care visits for the elderly, and reduced access to services offered on a sliding fee scale.

On a related matter, the board has scheduled a public hearing for June 24 to review possible fee increases at the county level.

Meanwhile, legislative leaders met over the Memorial weekend to find a budget resolution.

An agreement was reached Sunday, May 25, with give and take between House, Senate and Gov. Pawlenty.

Lawmakers were expected to vote yesterday on the omnibus tax, transportation, and bonding bill.

Details of the massive health and human services bill remain to be worked out.

Bonding in the Republican transportation bill was pared down from $550 million in trunk highway bonding to $400 million.

Airportís future discussed by board and supporters

In other news, the economic value and future of the Houston County airport was discussed at the May 20 meeting.

About 10 supporters of the airport attended the meeting to urge commissioners to support improvements there.

Arnie Beneke told commissioners that those people who had the hangars built at the airport had them built at their own expense, and are currently paying lot leases to the county as well as property taxes, which are distributed to the county as well as to other taxing authorities.

ìNo one is disputing that lot leases havenít been raised in a long time,î said Beneke.

The most recent increases in lot leases was in 1983. One lot has not been increased since 1969, and another since 1978. Most hangars rent for $90 a year and are 40 ft. x 30 ft.

The money that the county collects is intended to take care of routine maintenance at the airport, said Beneke.

In January, several people appeared before the board to request that the county approve an airport feasibility study to pave the way for airport improvements which could be made with 90 percent federal funding. The feasibility study would cost about $30,000, with the county picking up 40 percent of that amount. The county board delayed action until the close of the current legislative session.

As he did at the previous meeting, Commissioner Kevin Kelleher questioned the economic value of the airport to anyone other than those who own planes. He disputed whether the presence of the airport stimulates the economy of the area since most of the countyís population resides just a short distance from the La Crosse airport.

ìIíd like to see Caledonia and Spring Grove own it,î said Kelleher. ìHouston and La Crescent donít use it. Thereís an airport right across the river.î

Dale Scobie, one of the airport supporters, asked Kelleher if he would be willing to give the airport to those cities. Kelleher said he would.

Beneke told commissioners that the airport represents the equivalent of two miles out of 97 miles of roads that the county maintains. The airport hasnít been paved in 30 years, said Beneke.

Commissioner Ann Thompson commented, ìEither we get rid of it or maintain it.î She added that giving the airport away could cost the county money if it would be required to pay back funds it has received from the federal government.

Commissioner Dave Corcoran agreed.

ìIf we are going to keep it, we need to make it useable.î

Another flyer, Red Haines of La Crescent, asked commissioners to consider that the total cost per county resident for the airport is very low. He explained that he uses the airport in three ways. First, as a flight instructor he utilizes the airport for his occupation; second, he uses it for personal transportation since he sometimes flies to his destinations; and third, he uses the airport for recreational pursuits.

ìLooking to the future, our country is in a recession,î Haines said. ìWe are in a position of great uncertainty. I donít endorse a major capital investment.î Haines continued by saying that while the future is impossible to predict, an airport can stimulate business development which will benefit the entire county.

ìYou will never replace itî if it is let go, Haines said.

The airport group agreed to discuss lot leases at its next meeting and report back to the board.

ECM capitol reporter Tim Budig provided some of the information for this article.

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