County OKs tax levy with 5 percent increase

Board had considered a 7.6 percent hike

By KEVIN SWEENEY

Journal Editor

NEW ULM -- Brown County commissioners backed off a bit on the 2004 property tax levy as they adopted the 2004 county budget Tuesday.

Commissioners decided on a property tax levy of $7,904,796 payable in 2004, a 5 percent increase over last year's levy of $7,528,377.

Commissioners could have raised the tax the maximum allowed by the state, 7.6 percent, to $8,099,864. That would have required spending a total of $86,477 in county reserve funds to balance the '04 budget. With the lower levy, the county will use $237,044 in reserve funds.

The property tax levy will make up about 36 percent of the total county revenue next year. Expenditures and revenue for 2004 will total $22,257,822. The budget is a decrease of 0.85 percent from 2003. Most county spending classifications were cut back, with only Public Safety increasing (up 2.7 percent, from $3,679,105 to $3,778,526) and Human Services (up 9.2 percent, from $7,623,154 to $8,322,453).

The county's Road and Bridge spending took the biggest hit next year, dropping from $5,318,310 this year to $4,565,197, a 14.2 percent decrease.

The board also set salaries for county officials not on the salary administration plan. County commissioner salaries were raised from $16,650 to $17,250 next year, and the per diems paid for attending meetings (except regularly scheduled board meetings) was raised from $68 to $70. The board chairman receives an extra $500 a year.

The county auditor/treasurer's salary was raised from $59,000 to $61,000. The county recorder's salary was raised from $55,775 to $59,000. The county sheriff's salary was raised from $65,500 to $68,000. The highway engineer's salary was raised from $75,000 to $78,000. The Family Services director's salary was increased from $73,000 to $75,500. The county administrator's salary was raised from $71,612 to $74,112.

In other business, the board

* Approved a request for drainage ditch repair for Judicial Ditch 10 in Linden Township, Section 4;

* Approved a 3.2 Percent on sale liquor license for the River Valley Dutchmen Snowmobile Club, at Golden Gate Campgrounds in Home Township;

* Approved computer and software purchases for the Public Health office, totalling $9,226 to upgrade and replace outdated computers. The money for the purchase comes from $11,450 in unbudgeted revenue the Public Health Nurses received as a bonus from the South Country Health Alliance for opening new clients and reporting followup contacts. The board also approved a new computer to replace the one used at the front counter, which has been breaking down frequently. New software was also approved for the Probation Department, which will need it to stay current with the statewide criminal justice program.

* Approved a resolution supporting the use of County State Aid Highway 29 as a detour for Highway 14 for a short time next year and in the summer of 2005 while the Department of Transportation does repair work.

* Set dates for the 2004 County Board of Review and Equalization. It will be held June 17 at 9 a.m. in the courthouse.

* The board also approved a conditional use permit and several plats as recommended by the Planning Commission. The conditional use permit, good for the next five years, will allow Eric Johnson to continue operating a body shop and used vehicle dealership on his land in Milford Township. The land is designated A-1 Agricultural Protection Zoning District. The permit sets out conditions on how many vehicles may be stored and where they may be displayed. The board also approved a preliminary plat for Tim Flitter in Lake Hanska Township, allowing the division of a lot into two lots; a preliminary plat for Mark Evans in Linden Township, and a final plat for Aaron Michels in Lake Hanska Township.