County lowers levy increase to 2.9 percent

At its final meeting of 2019, the Carlton County Board of Commissioners set the property tax levy increase at 2.9 percent, shaving 1 percent from the preliminary levy set in September. This is the smallest increase in the levy for many budget cycles.

“I am pleased that we came in at that figure,” board chairman Dick Brenner said. “A 2.2 precent wage increase for county employees this coming year, rising insurance costs and added staff in the sheriff’s office for state-mandated jail coverage all put pressure on the new 2020 budget.”

The vote came almost three weeks after a Truth in Taxation public hearing on Dec. 3 filled with questions and comments from citizens.

More than 20 residents attended the public hearing earlier this month, most of them from the northeast portion of the county.

Not all the complaints were directly related to the county budget or its proposed tax levy. Proposed property tax increases of $600 on Big Lake properties and a future monthly charge of around $120 for hookup to the Big Lake Sanitary District line drew sharp comments. Those people were referred to the Big Lake Sanitary District board, which is the taxing authority there.

The impact of some Minnesota Tax Court settlements with utility companies — which tax courts have ruled paid too much in property tax — has been felt hard in Perch Lake, Twin Lakes and Silver Brook townships, because local taxing authorities now have to pay their portion of the money back, plus there’s less money coming in. County, school districts, cities and townships in areas where the utility companies are prevalent all are paying back what the utilities overpaid. Townships are losing a large chunk of their annual operating budgets.

Acting Auditor/Treasurer Kathy Korteum said a property tax refund is available for many property owners in the county. She said only about a third of those eligible take advantage of that state program — called the circuit breaker tax refund — which reduces taxes if property taxes go up by more than 12 percent in a given year.

On Monday the board held a public hearing on a proposal to limit tobacco sales to people aged 21 and older. About 25 people attended. The board passed the measure unanimously.

Other news

Also at the Dec. 3 county board meeting:

• McGough Construction Company was chosen to oversee the Barnum garage project. County coordinator Dennis Genereau said “it would be irresponsible on our part not to have a construction manager to avoid possible problems.”

Out of a possible $10 million architectural estimate for the garage, $8 million is the actual construction costs. The rest will be construction management, architect fees, and overruns. The construction manager portion is estimated to be $398,178 and cannot exceed that amount.

The project plans call for a remodeling of the current garage and an addition to handle large equipment. County crews now must tack on plowing attachments outside because there is no room in the existing facility. A crowded, unsafe work area is another concern.

• Sheriff Kelly Lake announced that body cameras are being considered for the sheriff’s staff out in the field. She said $77,000 has been set aside the 2020 budget year. There will be a public hearing and the creation of a public policy before the body cameras will be used.

• North Country RIDE, based out of Thomson Township, was approved for an additional $15,000 loan to upgrade its arena. The program uses horses in therapeutic activities for the disabled, challenged and at-risk clients. The facility has more than $300,000 in assets and has been timely in repaying its current economic development loan. All combined loans from the EDA must be paid back in seven years.

For more on the board’s final 2019 meeting, read next week’s Pine Knot News.