Residents question large budget 'surplus'

Thomson Township residents voted to approve a 3.91-percent tax levy increase for 2024, despite significant pushback from a few residents at the annual meeting Tuesday.

At the end of 2022, Thomson Township was left with a fund balance in its general operating expenses fund of almost $1.85 million. This amount concerned some residents, who felt that this “surplus” in funds should be applied toward the annual budget to take the burden off of taxpayers.

Resident Ole Larson had concerns during the review of the township’s annual statement and proposed tax levy.

“We’re gonna go here for a $63,000 increase on the tax levy. When I run my figures, I see that income and disbursements for the past three years (income) has exceeded it by over $200,000 all three years … So we’ve increased our fund balance by $700,000,” Larson said to fellow attendees.

Township clerk Rhonda Peleski explained to the public that the money is used to cover all expenses leading up to the first-half tax levy payment that the township receives in July and includes the proceeds from the final sales in the township’s business park.

Larson and a few other attendees questioned why the board needs nearly $2 million to cover a half-year of expenses when the township budgets for only $850,000 during that time period.

Board supervisor Tony Compo said that the money is used to ensure that operations will run as planned in the township despite any circumstances that might arise, and that having those funds available is recommended by the township’s auditor.

“I think you basically have to look at the whole picture, the fact that with your township checkbook and savings account you don’t want that to be at zero come July 1st,” Compo said.

Larson made a motion to not raise the 2024 tax levy, but instead pay for the 3.91-percent increase, or $68,000, out of the township’s general operating expenses fund. This motion was seconded by Walter Fisher but didn’t pass.

Kyle Gustafson made a motion to accept the tax levy for 2024 as presented by the board, with a 3.91-percent increase totaling $1,806,872. His motion was seconded by Margaret Sunnarborg. This motion was passed by the township residents in attendance.

In other business, township officials gave their annual statements to the public during the annual meeting.

Esko fire chief Kyle Gustafson reported a busy year for the volunteer department and excitement about the purchase of the township’s new tanker truck, which will be replacing a 30-year-old truck when it arrives.

Dan Danielson, chief deputy of the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office, also reported a busy year for the township deputy Casey Rennquist. Danielson reported a 24-percent increase in call volume for the township in 2022, with 1,538 calls total. Many board supervisors and residents in attendance thanked the township’s first responders for their quick call response times and presence in the community.

The township recessed its meeting until 6 p.m. Aug. 15.