By Patrick Tepoorten

Under the auspices of sharing recent state legislation with members of the County Commission and staff, State Auditor Pat Anderson visited Chisago County on Monday, Oct. 3. Due to the timing of her visit, she was also able to share the details of the 2004 county audit.

In relation to that audit, Anderson read a prepared statement regarding the relationship between County Commissioner Bob Gustafsonís organization, Chisago County Recreation (CCR), and the county. Key to the findings of the state auditor was the nature of the arrangement between CCR and the county, which Anderson described as an informal agreement with ìno written agreements between the countyî and Mr. Gustafson.

ìI want to stress that there is no evidence anyone stole money or equipment. The main point of the state auditorís officeís finding is that the board needs to have agreements in place when it spends money for recreation programs, and a commissioner needs to file an affidavit officially saying he has an interest in the countyís contract even if some people know of his involvement,î said Anderson.
She further noted that there is no criminal finding in the matter, and no recommendation of repayment to the county has been made. In fact, Anderson noted, ìThe countyís arrangements with Mr. Gustafson since the county discontinued its recreational programs around 1990, may have made a lot of sense for the county.î

At least part of the reason for that, according to Anderson, is that Gustafson had made improvements to some county fields at his own cost, volunteers one day per week at the parks department, and had coordinated field scheduling for many other sports besides those which he was directly involved through CCR.

However, Anderson recommended strongly that the county ìhave written contracts defining the terms of any recreational services it receives.î She also expressed concern that there had been no affidavit of personal interest filed by Gustafson.

In conclusion, Anderson stated that the arrangement between the county and Gustafson could continue ìas long as the contracts are in place and Mr. Gustafson files the proper affidavit. In fact, it is possible that the taxpayers are saving money through this arrangement.î

Along with the auditorís report, Anderson apprised the county of new legislation that will affect local governments.

The ìRule or Procedural Law Waiverî allows for local governments to apply for a waiver or temporary exemption from ìthe enforcement of state procedural laws regarding the delivery of services by local governments.î The statute, effective as of Aug. 1, allows for local governments to break through state barriers to forming cooperative partnerships that may be more efficient than comparable state alternatives.

In an effort to allow for more input from local governments, ìMandate Reform Proposalsî have also been written into state law. It allows cities, counties, townships, and school districts to officially object to, or suggest reforms to, any state mandate. By law, the state must then post any resolutions to those effects at the state auditor's Web site.

ìI think it's a big deal,î commented Anderson in regards to this new avenue for local governments, as it will allow for state lawmakers to see much more specifically what local governments have to say about various state mandates. Furthermore, local governments will be able to track the objections or suggested reforms of other local governments as well.

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