County levy drops to 9.8 percent

By MaryHelen Swanson
After a final, but lengthy discussion Dec. 18, before adopting the 2003 budget and levy, the Chisago County commissioners voted 3-2 to reduce the levy increase from the proposed 12.4 percent to 9.8 percent.
The final levy number stands at $20,383,555.
The motion came from Commissioner Tom Delaney with a second from Commissioner Ben Montzka.
Delaney said, in making the motion, that the board, not wanting to micromanage the county, would leave it to the departments to deal with the reduction.
Board chairman Bob Vande Kamp said he hoped administration and the department heads would look at everything from pencils to the projects, because he would not want to see the reduction covered by cutting one large project.
As he has stated numerous times, he stressed that if a major project is delayed, it becomes two to three times more costly down the road.
The fear that proposed road projects on CR 7, 23 and 37 would not get done because of the reduction was allayed by a reminder that the county is proceeding with a $2 million capital improvement bond to pay for them.
Still, administrator Jim Thoreen said, some loss of service will be made somewhere.
Commissioner Bob Gustafson felt it was not appropriate to come to the last meeting and talk about a $200,000 cut, the approximate difference between the 12.4 percent and 9.8percent.
Earlier in the discussion, Vande Kamp recommended a $100,000 cut by reducing seasonal and part-time labor by $70,000 and the capital improvement equipment fund by $30,000.
The departments can reorganize and prioritize, he said, adding that they donít need brand new equipment.
Vande Kampís rationale on the seasonal labor reduction, was that it was more important to reduce the seasonal and some part-time than to eliminate full-time positions.
As the discussion continued on how and where cuts would be made, administrator Thoreen said ìwelcome to round one of ugly 2003.î
The 9.8 percent levy increase was one of the options prepared by the budget committee last summer and considered by the board in August.
At that time, it was noted that unfunded requests with a 9.8 percent levy increase would include repairs and upkeep of the government center and jail in the amount of $630,000, additional personnel reduction of $167,930, reduction of the county portion of state aid road projects (20 percent match) of $2,242,000, reduction of capital equipment needs of $560,000, fund balance restoration of $300,000 and reduction of staff at $112,383.
Voting for the levy increase reduction were Gustafson, Delaney and Montzka.. Vande Kamp and Robinson were opposed.
At the bottom of the budget worksheet distributed in August there is a statement that reads, ìamidst the dark news herein presented, there is an underlying assumption and positive attribute: Chisago County leaders and employees will continue to perform well on behalf of our fellow citizens. Chisago County will work.î

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