By MaryHelen Swanson

Even after viewing a video titled "Fourteen Reasons Why Property Taxes Go Up and Down" a number of county residents were not convinced that that was going to make them feel better about paying their 2007 taxes.

It was Dec. 7 and the Chisago County Truth in Taxation meeting was underway at the Government Center in Center City.

County Administrator John Moosey opened the public meeting with the notation that the county budget is $55 million and the taxpayers pick up about $27 million of that.

For 2007, he said, almost all line items are the same as 2006, except for union contracts and health care costs which are up 18 percent.

He also apprised those in attendance that all county budget information is available online at www.co.Chisago.mn.us.

During public comment, Rich Anderson from North Branch brought the same issue forth he had talked about at the NB tax hearing, the high price of owning commercial property in the county. He asked the commissioners to take into consideration how difficult it is for businesses with such high taxes.

Two residents, Jean Mortenson and Melvin White, living on County Road 80, also known as Ivywood Trail, had concerns about the dust on their road. White said his taxes were $38 in 1957, and now they are $2,300. He said he'd be happy if the county could take care of the dust.

Citizen Sharon Helgestad, Center City, had a shopping list of issues, beginning with her displeasure that the entire budget was not available at the meeting for citizen review.

She was also unhappy that new businesses don't come into the county without tax increment financing or some other form of incentive.

She wanted to know how much of the cost of new roads developers take on in new subdivisions.

Then she got down to seeking accountability for costs to send commissioners to the Association of Minnesota Counties conferences, and commissioners' per diem and mileage reimbursements. She wanted to know if the county gets any benefits from having commissioners attend AMC events. She chastised the commissioners for what she considered excessive per diems and mileage reimbursements.

Gene Overmire of North Branch suggested a freeze on taxes for people over 65, with conditions, such as a specific number of years living in the county. Rod Breheim of Rush City agreed with the idea of tax relief for retired citizens. He also thought the commissioners shouldn't receive mileage, "You're here to serve," he said.

Carl Ekstedt of North Branch said after he retires, he will not be able to pay the continuing tax increases.

Commissioner Rick Olseen, who will be on his way to St. Paul come January as a new senator, talked about a cap on taxes for retirees as something he might bring up at the state level.

But, County Auditor Dennis Freed cautioned that any new tax program will be costly.You're going to have to come up with the money to administer it, he said to the commissioners.

Wrapping up the tax hearing Board Chairman Mike Robinson said the way the county would be dealing with budget issues in 2007 is to look at laying people off and cutting services.