Caledonia Argus

Township officers hear budget, voting concerns

Posted: 3/9/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Houston County township board members heard from several county officials at the annual Houston County Township Officerís Association meeting last week.

Budget concerns topped the list of topics and questions at the March 1 meeting at Elmerís Supper Club in Caledonia. It was no more evident than at the beginning, with Rick Frankís comments.

Frank, director of the Houston County Department of Environmental Services, explained that the meeting had historically been sponsored by the Houston County agricultural inspector.

But that position has been cut, he said, so not only was the meeting no longer sponsored by the county, any weed problems and inspection now must be done by township officers.

Frank also discussed changes in the countyís recycling program, which included cutting the coordinatorís position, one driver, and one worker.

The 90-minute meeting included comments from Rep. Greg Davids from District 31B. He started his comments by saying that he did not support a proposed tire burning plant in Preston, and that he supports an environmental impact statement for it.

He said he has documentation that refutes everything thatís been said about him. ìThe news of my death has been greatly exaggerated,î he said.

He said he does not support a constitutional amendment on a tax freeze, because government has to be able to respond to emergencies. He does support legislation that would put a question on the general election ballot asking if marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman.

The state also needs to charge a fee for using bike trails, as is done for cross country skiing or snowmobiling. He felt that bicyclists would be more than happy to pay that fee.

Here are some of the main points that other speakers made.

ï Richard Markos, a township association officer, told the group that he learned some interesting things at a legal training seminar in January. He said that townships will be getting two new voting machines, one that does optical scanning, and one that accommodates disabled people.

Houston County Auditor Pete Johnson said this will need to be in place by 2006. ìItís a tough thing to do and costs a lot of money,î he said.

Markos also said that Houston County is seen by state township officers as doing a good job on land valuation and assessment. A lot of complaints have been logged on that subject by state legislators. By 2005, a board member from every township will have to be trained in valuation and the appeal process, Markos added.

ï On a related subject, Houston County Assessor Tom Dybing gave some statistics on land values and new housing. He said 97 new homes were built in the county last year, which is more than the previous high of 94 homes in 1999. The average value, including the lot, is $195,558

La Crescent alone had 37 new homes built last year valued at an average of $248,800

ìHouston Countyís going to be running out of land in La Crescent,î Dybing said.

He said tax statements and assessment notices will be going in the same envelope this year, which will save the county $5,000 ìIt might be a little confusing for a year, but I think everybody will appreciate the cost savings.î

ï County engineer Allen Henke said that annual bridge inspections have taken place. He commended officers on the work they have done on bridge repair. Eight of the 17 townships donít have any maintenance items.

ï County commissioners Larry Graf and Ann Thompson spoke about methamphetamine lab clean up, and who is responsible. Thompson said a the county is drafting an ordinance, and a public hearing will be held on it. She urged people to watch for it.

ìMainly whatís happening is itís moving this way,î Graf said. People like to set up meth labs` like remote, dead-end areas, he said.

Rick Frank said that cleaning up a meth lab can run into thousands of dollars, and that people should watch who they rent to.

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