County board member will run to keep seat

Two-term Carlton County board commissioner Gary Peterson announced this week that he will seek re-election this fall. He made the announcement at the board’s committee of the whole meeting on Monday. Filing opens on May 19 with the Carlton County Auditor. Peterson is the commissioner for District 5, which includes Moose Lake, Kettle River, Cromwell and Wright.

Peterson admitted it is a hard time to campaign for political office. Parades, festivals, prominent holidays, and door-to-door talks with the public are almost impossible with social distancing. That will not change for at least a few months and will perhaps continue after the November election.

The meeting this week took place online and by telephone. Acting auditor/treasurer Kathy Korteum said property tax collections are down 5 percent with two weeks left until the May 15 deadline.

“As far as the half-percent sales tax collections for transportation projects, over the years we have averaged around $1.8 million in revenues,” she said. “Averaging that over 12 months, March income was $15,000 down and April was $13,000 down. If those figures continue to hold we will be good during our current budget year.”

No information has come from the Minnesota Legislature regarding a request for Carlton County to levy half-percent sales tax for the construction of a new jail. If permission is granted by the legislature, the local voters of Carlton County will vote whether to levy the half-percent sales tax or put the building project funding as a property tax levy.

The bonding bill is expected to be completed before the session is required to end on May 18.

Carlton County coordinator Dennis Genereau said Itasca County received a 22-month extension for construction of a new jail because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic response. Carlton County could be available for an extension as well, he said.

A quote for a COVID-19 flyer to be sent to all Carlton County households was received from Community Printing of Cloquet. The board asked Genereau to check all the other local print shops for quotes before the May 12 board meeting when a decision is made on a printer.

Courthouse update

Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea issued another order last week that extends the limited physical access to courthouses until May 18 in order to reduce and slow the spread of COVID-19. Remote, or virtual, technology may be used to conduct hearings in pending cases when possible.

The order also suspends all jury trials, authorizing them to begin June 1.

The order continues the previous authorization for the use of remote technology, when possible, to conduct district court hearings in any pending cases, except those required to be in the courtroom.