County sets 2002 budget, salaries

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- After a short discussion over the contingency line item in the budget, the Brown County Board voted unanimously and adopted its 2002 general budget and property tax levy Tuesday morning.

The board voted to set 2002 salaries for six elected Brown County officials following the actions it took on the budgets.

The 2002 budget is about $21.8 million and represents a 5.2 increase in income and spending. The county tax payer portion, which represents about 3 percent of the overall 2002 income, increased by 5.1 percent. Brown County currently has a $20.7 million budget.

The 2002 property tax levy will raise the average Brown County property tax by about 5 percent. City taxpayers will pay that increase on top of city taxes and school taxes. In Brown County, city taxes will take the largest chunk of taxpayer change, Rural taxpayers will shoulder the county tax more heavily. The actual amount that an individual taxpayer will pay depends on several things, including the value of their property.

The 2002 budget represents increases in spending on roads and bridges, public safety and health, human services, conservation of natural resources and general government spending, in comparison with the current budget. Spending on culture and recreation for sharply decreased for 2002.

License and permit fees will lead the income increase in 2002, followed by state and federal aid, the taxpayer levy, state property tax aids and the mobile home property tax. Income from interest earned on investments is expected to decrease the most, followed by reduced charges for services and contracts with the City of New Ulm, schools and city public works departments.

The budget created little discussion among either the board or the onlookers and department heads.

A polite argument started between commissioners Charles Guggisberg and Andrew Lochner when Lochner said he felt the county could reduce its contingency even further. Last year, the county socked away $250,000 because its contract with jailers and dispatchers in the sheriff's department wasn't settled until a few months ago.

The 2002 contingency started at $175,000 this summer and varied throughout the budget process until the board set it at $100,000. County officials said it could put the money to use as a Band-Aid if the state budget forecast forced a reduction in state aid and grants or to replace an aging air conditioning system in the Brown County Courthouse or for high-profile criminal prosecutions and cases or for an unfavorable tax levy limit in 2003.

"I still feel we can pull the contingency down some," Lochner said. "We've got adequate reserves."

Guggisberg replied that he was uncomfortable touching the line item because a report from the county's newly-formed court security committee outlined issues and safety concerns that included some "high-ticket items," Guggisberg said.

"Like what?" Lochner asked.

Guggisberg listed several security items, including closed-circuit cameras, metal detectors and direct lines to law enforcement for department heads as his reasons for not wanting to touch the fund.

Commissioner Richard Seeboth agreed with Guggisberg's concerns.

"We've made cuts already," he said. "Given the state budget scenario, I'm very uncomfortable reducing it at this time."

Lochner responded, "I would like to see it go down to $50,000, but $75,000 is fine. I really think that we're creating a plum for the state to grab."

Commissioner Donald Wellner asked County Administrator Charles Enter about the amount of money left in the 2001 budget. Enter said the county does have some money remaining, but he was unsure of the exact amount.

Wellner then said he felt "more inclined to leave it at $100,000."

Chairman James Berg agreed, saying the county "needs a buffer. It's a reasonable budget and I'm going to support it."

Lochner moved an amendment to cut the contingency line item by $25,000.

"I don't like this, Andy," Guggisberg said quickly. "It's politics."

Lochner's motion died for lack of a second. The board then voted on the budget and the levy as it was originally proposed and passed it unanimously. Lochner said later that he is satisfied with the decision.

The board passed the supplemental budgets for the county with little discussion outside Enter's usual introductory background explanation.

The 2002 supplemental budgets will not receive any levy money, but will contribute a $241,076 added reserve if they remain as they were passed Tuesday. Items included are the court's law library, jail commissions, the county's septic loan program, building, ditch, landfill and SCORE funds.

In other action, the board set 2002 salaries for elected county officials.

All of the increases passed with little discussion -- aside from some difference in opinion on the administrator's salary and the commissioner's compensation. Berg noted that some salaries were below a 15-county average.

The board rejected a proposal to raise the administrator's salary by an additional $1,000 by a vote of 3-2.

The raises are:

* Auditor/Treasurer -- $55,500 ($53,000 in 2001)

* Brown County Sheriff -- $65,627 ($61,927 in 2001)

* County Recorder -- $53,500 ($50,000 in 2001)

* County Human Services Director -- $68,130 ($64,130 in 2001)

* County Administrator -- $67,612 ($61,612 in 2001)

* Brown County Commissioners -- $15,784 with $500 extra for chairperson and $66/day expense allowance ($15,326 with same for chair and $64/day allowance)