County approves call for bids on jail

A request for proposals for a new Carlton County jail has been approved by the Carlton County Board of Commissioners, as planning for the new jail continues to unfold. The vote was 4-1 with Commissioner Tom Proulx voting against.

“This action by the board is not locking us into a set contract or design,” Sheriff Kelly Lake said. “A site should be chosen as soon as possible in order to have construction drawings in which we will approximately know how much the facility will cost. We are committed to an 84-bed facility.”

The site of the current Carlton High School is being considered. It abuts the back of the current jail. The school site would avoid major costs for site preparation and would provide water and sewer for the new building. Chair Dick Brenner said he will contact the Carlton school board to find out if any decisions have been made by the school district.

Two sites north of the Courthouse are being studied. Bedrock outcroppings and providing new parking space could make those choices costly.

The county board also approved putting the issue of a 0.5 percent county sales tax, as a funding mechanism to build the new jail, on a November ballot this fall. It is estimated that at least $1.75 million would be raised each year. There would be no impact on the property taxes paid in the county with this means of procuring funding.

Minnesota statute requires a set process of levying the sales tax for such purposes. Carlton County voters must first approve levying the sales tax in an election. From there, the Minnesota Legislature would have to give final approval through enacting a law permitting the action.

In other county board actions during their May 28 Adjourned Session, the retirement of auditor/treasurer Paul Gassert was accepted, with great regret. Kathy Korteum of the auditor/treasurer’s office was appointed to take over Gassert’s duties. There was some discussion of salary and benefits for Korteum while in the position.

“The salaries for those elected officials are known to be low for those being paid for similar work in the 15-county area,” County coordinator Dennis Genereau commented. “I recommend that Paul’s salary level should be given.”

The new auditor/treasurer said that she will spend a lot of extra hours initially to handle the extra duties. No decision on the salary to be offered will be made until a committee comes back with a proposal.

In other news, Troy Salzer is no longer the lead for Minnesota Extension services in Carlton County. He has moved to a job assignment in St. Louis County. Commissioner Mark Thell reported that a proposal may come for hiring a half-time staff person to handle the biosolids and lime from Sappi for farm application.