By Anne Thom

In a sign perhaps of tough budgetary times to come, Chisago County Corporal Chris Henricks recently told the Stacy City Council he is aware the city's law enforcement contract is coming up for renewal and said "obviously there's going to be an increase."

He cited the county's latest budget dilemma. County Administrator John Moosey has asked all departments to cut costs by 3 percent and has advised the board in order to maintain county services at a 2007 level a 14 percent levy increase would be necessary.

The city currently has budgeted $64,000 annually for law enforcement. Henricks quoted Sheriff Todd Rivard as saying the hourly rate would more than likely increase from the current $41 to $44 an hour, but final dollar figures are not yet available.

Henricks said salaries and maintenance of vehicles are the two factors driving the increase. The council can look at cutting hours or adding more money to this line in the budget. Mayor John Daher told Henricks the city will be working on the budget in August. "The sooner we know, the better." said Daher.