Posted: 1/3/06
Non-union salary increases approved
County board supports lodging tax proposal
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
The Houston County board approved new contracts with its non-union, appointed, and elected officials on December 29.
The contracts include a three percent cost of living adjustment, which personnel director Tim Comstock said was the same amount that was negotiated with county employee unions for 2006.
The salaries are listed here. County attorney, $76,351; sheriff, $69,972; auditor, $68,142; recorder, $47,377; treasurer, $47,377; commissioners, $17,222.
The board also approved two percent step advancements for 12 non-union employees who are at in the last compensation range. The employees are Tim Comstock, Rob Gross, Loretta Lillegraven, Char Meiners, Shawn Peter, Tom Peter, Lindsay Pierce, Sheila Schroeder, Nickie Schuldt, Diane Sullivan, Dana Todd, and Beth Wilms.
Lodging tax idea
Joyce Iverson and Kermit McRae from the Houston County Economic Development Authority (EDA) asked commissioners to support a lodging tax proposal from their group.
Three cities in the county ñ Caledonia, Houston, and Spring Grove ñ already impose the three percent tax on gross receipts from lodging establishments. Caledonia Township does also.
McRae said the EDA has drafted a letter to send to the other cities and townships to adopt the tax, which is used to promote tourism in the county. Everybody benefits from the marketing, McRae said, so imposing the tax and helping with the overall marketing makes sense.
City councils can pass an ordinance to implement the tax; township voters would have to approve it at an annual election or special meeting.
The EDA would also like Houston County to be the fiscal agent for the tax, McRae added. Currently the fiscal agent for the cities of Spring Grove and Houston, and Caledonia Township is Fillmore County. The City of Caledonia serves as its own fiscal agent.
The fiscal agent can keep up to five percent of the tax for administrative purposes. The rest is distributed through Historic Bluff Country, a nonprofit tourism group.
ìWe just think itíd be more visible if the money was flowing in Houston County and then [Historic] Bluff Country rather than this remote county to the west,î McRae said.
Houston County commissioners approved a motion in support of the EDAís proposal.
The board also approved a resolution requesting that the Minnesota Legislature support 2006 bonding funds for the Root River State Trail from Houston through La Crescent and to La Crosse.
Constitutional amendment for dedicated sales tax debated
County engineer Tracey Von Bargen gave commissioners a proposal explaining a proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution dedicating all of the motor vehicle sales tax revenue to transportation. Currently, 54 percent of MVST is dedicated to transportation.
The state legislature passed a proposed constitutional amendment during the 2005 legislative session that would appear on the ballot on November 7, 2006.
The idea did not get a warm reception from commissioners last week.
Kevin Kelleher, who led the discussion, said pushing the issue into the constitution is not the way to deal the problem of inadequate transportation funding. He criticized Governor Tim Pawlenty and his no new taxes pledge. All of Pawlentyís money in 2005 was from bonding, which is the same as borrowing, Kelleher said. ìI think thatís being a political wienie. Stand up,î he said. ìThatís what you elect people to do, make tough decisions.î Both Ann Thompson and Larry Graf agreed with Kelleher.
Dave Corcoran added that someone has to step to the plate at the state to increase transportation funding, which many people feel is not keeping pace with highway maintenance needs.
Other business
ï The board approved a $500 donation to Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council.
ï The board approved a letter of understanding with the state auditorís office for the 2006 audit.
ï The board approved new contracts with five refuse haulers: Richardís Sanitation, Hilltopper Refuse and Recycling, Bob Giblin, Houston County Recycling Center, and Waste Management, It also approved a drop-site agreement with ABC Recycling Center, a tire hauling contract with Bob Giblin, and a drop-off site lease with Keith Comstock.
ï The board approved a demolition inspection estimate of $600-$800 with Braun Intertech of Bloomington, Minnesota, for the Joe Klug house, which the county is trying to purchase. Highway department maintenance supervisor Tom Molling recommended the company, which would test such things as wiring, siding, and interior walls. The house would be torn down if a new criminal justice center is built south of the current courthouse.
ï Commissioners also approved a Molling request to sell a 1993 Chevrolet 1-ton truck by sealed bid. Commissioners told Molling to have a county mechanic check over another truck that Molling wants to dispose of, a 1998 Chevrolet half-ton truck.
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