Posted: 2/27/07
New patrol cars are on sheriffís wish-list
Sheriff Ely to request two new vehicles from County Board
By Roxy Lassig
Special to The Argus
Jail planning and equipment needs are the top priorities identified by the new sheriff at the Feb. 13 Houston County Board meeting.
Sheriff Doug Ely said his department will be requesting two new patrol cars at the next County Board meeting.
He is also working cooperatively with the highway department to replace the current generator. The goal is to identify and purchase a generator for the sheriffís department. When itís no longer able to adequately serve those needs, it could be used by the highway department.
Sheriff Ely said the other equipment priority is updating the radio system. While the state is looking at a powerful new 800 megahertz (MHz) system, Ely said that Houston County would probably benefit more from a less costly "low band" system.
"Itís better than we have now but not as expensive as the stateís 800 MHz system," Ely said. "It all comes down to money ó how much we want to spend on this equipment."
When commissioners asked about the coverage of the current radio system, Chief Deputy Scott Yeiter said the radios are great when officers are in their patrol cars. However, when officers are on foot, the radios work about as good as personal cell phones work in our county full of bluffs and valleys.
"There are dead spots everywhere," Yeiter said. "Once we leave the cars, there are times that we might as well light it [the radio] on fire to attract attention."
Ely said his staff is investigating all the available options. "Weíll keep on top of the technology out there before we recommend any decisions to the county," he said.
Recycling
contract renewed
Commissioners voted to renew a three-year contract with Waste Management of La Crosse to process the countyís recyclables. The county pays Waste Management $25 per ton for processing but is reimbursed when Waste Management sells the recyclables. The rate is determined by the Chicago high side yellow sheet price list.
Environmental services director Rick Frank says the county makes a small amount of money in the deal while disposing of the recycled waste. "Itís been a good contract for the county," said Frank.
County supports
transportation
funding package
Commissioners also approved a resolution calling for the Minnesota Legislature to pass a comprehensive transportation funding package that permanently increases dedicated funding for transportation.
The resolution states that state-aid highway funding continues to decline, which results in property taxes and local bonding having to shoulder more of the burden of funding highway improvements. It also states that counties are increasingly deferring maintenance on county roads and bridges because of budget constraints.
In order to meet the identified needs, the the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) estimates that $1.5 billion per year would need to be invested for the next 10 years.
The resolution supports the following funding options:
ï An increase in the gas tax of 10 cents phased in over a two-year period
ï Indexing of the gas tax
ï Increases in vehicle registration taxes
ï Trunk highway bonding of $100 million per year over a 10-year period
ï General obligation bonding for local roads and bridge
ï Authority for counties to levy up to a one-half percent increase in the state sales tax dedicated for transportation purposes
ï Authority for counties to levy up to a $20 wheelage tax
Commissioners have a long list of issues to discuss with state legislators, including numerous costs shifts from the state to our county.
In March, theyíll get an opportunity to discuss those needs. Houston County commissioners will be attending a state conference on March 28 and 29 and will use that opportunity to meet with state legislators to discuss local needs. If you have items to add to that list, contact your local commissioner.
State Ways and Means
Committee invites input
The Minnesota House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee is holding a special meeting in Rochester on Monday, Feb. 26 at Kellogg Middle School at 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to hear from local and state elected officials and others on the issues of property taxes, transportation needs, health care and higher education finance. State Rep. Ken Tschumper, DFL-La Crescent, is on that committee. Testimony is limited to five minutes per person.
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