County starts tightening belts

By MaryHelen Swanson
On a vote of 4-1, the Chisago County Commissioners voted Dec. 30, to make cuts in spending for 2003 to meet the 9.8 percent levy that was approved just before Christmas.
Acting on a recommendation by county auditor Dennis Freed, and staff, budget expenditures were reduced by $301,000.
Among the cuts (see sidebar on page 3 for complete list) are miscellaneous expenses for the senior center in North Branch, some expenses for the Heartland Express and Home Delivered Meals.
Commissioner Tom Delaney initially proposed to adopt the recommendations with exceptions for the historical society ($2,500), the senior center ($3,000) and Home Delivered Meals ($1,950).
His suggestion was to take $7,500 out of Health and Human Services to make up for these items.
He said he made these exceptions ìto protect three very important services.î
But when asked if he meant that all of the reduction should come from Health and Human Services by Commissioner Gustafson, and after Vande Kamp said heíd vote no because the cuts did not include seasonal workers, Delaney withdrew his motion.
Commissioner Ben Montzka then moved and Commissioner Mike Robinson seconded a motion to accept staff recommendations as presented. The vote was 4-1 with Vande Kamp opposed because of the seasonal worker issue from before.
Only the beginning
ìThis is only the beginning,î said county auditor Freed, when he asked the county board to adopt a resolution Dec. 30 to direct department heads to delay major purchases in 2003 until the impact of the state budget deficit on Chisago County has been determined.
Not knowing how the anticipated $4.5 billion state deficit will affect what the county receives in state aid, the commissioners unanimously adopted the resolution.

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