Posted: 9/18/07
Proposed county tax levy
set at $7,955,125 for 2008
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
The Houston County Board approved the prosed tax levy for 2008 at $7,955,125, which is a 15 percent increase over the 2007 levy of $6,917,500. The action was taken during the Sept. 11 board meeting.
County Auditor Peter Johnson informed the board the proposed levy must be set before Sept. 15. He added that the proposed levy could be decreased as the county board moves through the budgeting process this fall. But it cannot be increased. The final levy must be approved on December 20.
With all the added expenses the county has incurred with the August flooding, now estimated at over $11 million in damages to the infrastructure (roads and bridges), board members felt it is important to plan for the worst case scenario.
"We will be forced to do some drastic belt-tightening, many projects and requests will have to be put on hold," Commissioner Larry Graf said. "Even though the federal government will be paying 75 percent of the costs incurred from the floods, and the state another 15 percent, we still have to come up with 10 percent. That is something we certainly hadnít planned on."
Earlier in the board meeting, County Highway Engineer Marcus Evans had updated the commissioners on the progress his department was making on rebuilding and repairing the numerous roads and bridges damaged during the August floods. He stated the federal government (through FEMA) would be making reimbursement payments (75 percent of the cost) within 30 days of when the worksheets were turned in. The state, on the other hand, would not be making its 15 percent contribution until next summer.
"But will a 15 percent levy increase carry us through?" Commissioner Larry Connery asked. "We arenít sure when the state is going to come up with their 15 percent (reimbursement for flood damages). And even if we do get reimbursed, will we get the money right away? We might be stuck with paying 25 percent of the costs for some time."
Johnson said he was confident a 15 percent levy increase would be enough to carry the county through the next year without having to tap too much into the fund balance. According to Johnson, the county has somewhere between $2 million and $3 million in its fund balance. Last year the countyís final levy increase was 8.9 percent over the previous year.
"We need to keep our options open," Commissioner Dave Corcoran said. "This (the floods) is something we werenít planning on, and we really donít know how the money (reimbursements from the state and federal governments) will be coming in. We donít have to make our final decision until Dec. 20. We should know more by then."
Corcoran made a motion that was seconded by Connery to set the proposed levy for 2008 at just under $8 million, which is a 15 percent increase over 2007.
In other board action
Disaster credit approved
The board approved a resolution requesting homestead property damage from the disaster that occurred on August 18 and 19 be reassessed for the purpose of a special tax credit. The tax abatement would only apply to homestead properties.
According to County Assessor Tom Dybing, he and his staff have conducted damage assessments on 91 homesteaded properties in the county that have sustained an estimated damage of $2.5 million.
Dybing also reported they have conducted damage assessments on five non-homestead properties (mainly apartment buildings) that sustained approximately $168,000 in damages and 19 commercial properties with $456,000 in damages.
"We will have our hands full during the next few years, as we will be required to revisit these properties to assess what improvements have been made," Dybing said.
No charge extended
After reviewing the issue, the board agreed to extend the "no charge" status for persons bringing refuse to the various Environmental Services drop-off locations, as long as the refuse is a direct result of the floods.
"Weíve had some people abusing our generosity," Environmental Services Director Rick Frank told the board. "But for the most part, this has been a good thing for those who suffered damage.
"Iíd like to see this program in place for about two more weeks," Frank continued. "There are some people who have been out helping others, like in Rushford, and are now just getting to their own damaged homes."
The board approved a motion to keep the "no charge for flood refuse" policy in place through the end of October. The county has five sites in the county. All five sites are open Saturdays from 8 to 3. The Houston site is open Monday, Hokah- Tuesday, Spring Grove and Caledonia- Wednesday, and La Crescent- Thursday. Weekday hours are from 10 to 6.
"Party Patrol" grant
Sheriff Doug Ely informed the board his department has applied for a "Party Patrol" grant, which would provide the county with $1,000 to be used to pay for increased patrolling during homecomings, proms, graduations, and other times when teen drinking and parties are more prevalent.
"This is something we have never applied for in the past. The money is there, and we feel it is something we should apply for," Ely noted.
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