Brown County

officials discuss

legislative issues

Grant for Teen Court OK'd

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Board reorganization, a meeting with a local legislator, a proposed bicycle trail for Springfield and an update on highway projects garnered the attention of Brown County commissioners on Tuesday.

Commissioners voted to reappoint Donald Wellner and Charles Guggisberg to their posts as chairman and vice chairman.

The board approved a $32,000 grant that supports Brown County's Teen Court program, which allows only first-time juvenile offenders to be tried and sentenced by their peers instead of the regular court.

State Sen. Dennis Frederickson, R-New Ulm, responded to questions from the board and department heads.

Frederickson previewed the upcoming legislative session, which will begin next month. He said 2004 will be the year of the capital improvements bonding bill, which is expected to consume much of the debate during the session.

Frederickson expressed support for funding for the Area II watershed and the permanent CREP program. He said money for bridges will also be a part of the bill.

State property tax levy limits will end unless the Legislature decides to put them back on the bargaining table, Frederickson told the board.

Brown County Sheriff Tim Brennan reiterated the issues that law enforcement agencies have with short-term state prisoners being kept in county jails and the 911 answering point consolidation study.

Capt. Paul Wieland, administrator of the Brown County Jail, said he believes the state underestimated the number of inmates that would be transferred under the policy and the amount of money needed to house them. He said the county jail is currently 75 percent full -- the maximum level that the state wants county jails to hold because of "separation issues."

"That looked like the economical way of keeping prisoners," Frederickson responded. "At least for the state."

Highway Engineer Wayne Stevens asked Frederickson about the gas tax and if there was any money in the bonding bill for county roads. The senator replied that while Gov. Tim Pawlenty has said he won't support a gas tax increase, Frederickson would and the Senate would, even though it might be opposed in the House of Representatives.

Stevens expressed concern about large grain carts that farmers use to haul grain in from their field on county highways. He said a recent study done in Iowa showed that the weight can quickly ruin pavement.

Family Services Director Tom Henderson wondered how specific legislation is going to get during the session. Frederickson said he had no good answer to the question.

Henderson shared one concern -- detox costs in Brown County are higher than most counties its size.

Many counties have talked about charging user fees and blamed a strong liquor lobby in St. Paul for swatting the idea. Henderson said 90 percent of detox costs in Brown County are paid for with property taxes.

"We have our own tax at the county level, but that leaves about $60,000 left that comes off property taxes," Henderson said.

Veterans Service Officer Terry Ferdinandt asked Frederickson if it was possible to change the University of Minnesota's policy towards the War Orphans Act, which allows children of military personnel killed in war to go to college without paying tuition. He said state colleges and universities, like Minnesota State University-Mankato, recognize the act but the University of Minnesota's campuses currently do not.

Frederickson replied that the university is controlled by a board of regents, adding that state legislators could negotiate with the university to try and change its policy towards the act.

County Assessor Judy Freisen told Frederickson that the 'This Old House' law, which ended recently, did not help lower-income homeowners to remodel their houses.

"That went into deeper pockets," she said.

County Attorney James Olson repeated earlier concerns about the state's new policy towards Level III sex offenders. He said the Attorney General's office has offered to help counties handle civil commitment cases, but that expertise will cost more than it did in the past.

Frederickson said, "I'm aware of that population because the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center used to be in my district. That's a tough decision to make."

Commissioners approved the city of Springfield's request for support of its efforts to get state money for a bicycle trail.

Commissioners Guggisberg and Andrew Lochner said they were concerned about safety issues because of the the proposed trail's closeness to CSAH 5.

Springfield City Manager Malcolm Tilberg defended the proposal, saying many bicycle trails follow county highways although he recognized the commissioners' concerns. He said the proposal represents what many consider to be a standard trail design.

Guggisberg asked Tilberg what, if any, objections he would have to moving the trail farther away from the road. Tilberg replied that he was concerned that it might cost too much money.

Stevens gave commissioners an update on county highway projects. He said an icy December caused the maintenance department to expend half of the salt and sand for this winter.