County levy limit

set at $8.4 million

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM - Brown County's budgeting process for 2005 got rolling Tuesday morning as the county board established its maximum tax levy.

Commissioners voted for a proposed $8.4 million property tax levy after a short presentation from the county administrator and some discussion.

As it currently stands, the proposed levy represents a 6.2 percent increase over last year's levy although the board could decide to make budget cuts or borrow more from the county's reserves before the final vote is taken in December.

The proposed levy is a slight decrease from the 2003 version that was adopted last September, when the board set the maximum at $8.9 million for 2004 but ended up trimming $1 million by the time the final vote was made.

Although a couple commissioners said they didn't like 6.2 percent increase, the board voted to set the levy as it was proposed. Commissioner Richard Seeboth seconded a motion from Commissioner Charles Guggisberg to adopt the levy, saying the county "should set it here and let the chips fall where they may."

Commissioner James Berg agreed, adding that the board may make further cuts at a later date. He said he doesn't like the increase even though it was close to what he wanted.

County officials will be considering revisions to the budget in October and November, according to county documents. The county's required Truth In Taxation hearing is scheduled for Dec. 2. The final vote on the county property tax levy and the 2005 Brown County budget is scheduled for Dec. 21.

In other news, the Brown County Board of Commissioners:

* Tabled action on a tax-forfeited property in Sleepy Eye to allow commissioners to gather more information.

* Decided to sponsor a resolution of support for a business loan for Martin Hoffmann made through the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation for a creamery near Sleepy Eye.

Brown County administrator Chuck Enter said "The county's perspective is that this is a statement of support. The county has no liability."

Hoffmann told commissioners that he wants to add a creamery to process local milk for sale in local markets and plans to sell it as an "organic" product.

Commissioner Andrew Lochner brought up a question about the loan's effects on the county's planning and zoning commission. Enter said the board's sponsorship of Hoffmann's loan application won't affect the commission whatsoever.

* Renewed the contract with Mankato Area Life Lines Consortium to continue G.E.D. programs for county jail inmates. The program is expected to cost $3,400, county documents said.

* Amended the AgBMP contract to add $50,000 for a feedlot improvement project to control runoff to the Little Cottonwood River.