County levy up 12 percent

By MaryHelen Swanson
Like many families, in 2004, Chisago County is going to try not to spend any more than what they have taken in (taxes).
County board chairman Ben Montzka told those gathered at Monday morningís special board meeting that that was the way to be fiscally responsible.
Of course that will mean an increase in the levy over last year as services and operations of the county demand more money.
The net increase of 12.32 percent in the proposed levy, approved on a 3-1 vote (Commissioner Bob Gustafson was absent) will mean an increase in taxes for a home valued at $150,000, with a 12 percent valuation increase, of $60.
This is the countyís portion of your tax statement.
Commissioner Lora Walker, serving on the county budget committee, said requests came in more than ever this year, because funding from other sources have been cut.
She said it was difficult to try to keep the budget to a limit and not spend more.
Montzka pointed to the past saying in 2002 there was a 16 percent levy increase, in 2003 it was just under 10 percent.
But before that, he said, the county spent down reserves to balance the budget, although it kept the levy increase low. That was not responsible, he said.
The 2004 budget also includes $250,000 for the library bond.
Commissioner Mike Robinson felt it wasnít right to include the library bond until the bonds had actually been sold.
He pushed for a 9.8 levy increase, one he said, had come out of the budget committee meetings. He was the other board member on that committee.
Many people connected to Extension were on hand for the Monday meeting, concerned about a very significant cut in the Extension budget, over $90,000.
Robinson asked if 4-H and the Master Gardener programs would be hurt. He said it was his understanding they would not be.
Commissioner Rick Olseen, who visited with about 75 people on Wednesday, Sept. 10 on the Extension issue, said they wanted a full-time secretary and the budget included a half-time position.
He said plans are to house Extension at Green Acres, and potentially move them into a new North Branch library building.
He talked about using 2004 contingency money to make up the difference in cost of the full-time secretary position.
Walker talked about the potential of a fee for service for Extension programs. She pointed to neighboring counties and what they are approving for 2004 for Extension.
Most are not funding Master Gardener programs, and several are combining two or more positions for one full-time position in Extension.
By consensus, to some degree, the commissioners agreed to look at concerns about the Extension program and at ways to increase funding to the Historical Society, which had been reduced from $22,500 in 2003 to $15,000 for 2004. The county assessor had indicated it is not fair to have the Gustaf House Bed and Breakfast tax exempt if is being operated as a business. The society could be required to pay taxes in the amount of $5,000 on the operation.
Chairman Montzka reminded the audience that once the levy is set it cannot be increased, it could be reduced, and line items within the budget can be changed around until the final adoption which comes in December after a public hearing.
Commissioner Robinson was the dissenting vote on the levy approval, he said he supported the first proposal of 9.8 percent.

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