LWV Observer - Georgiana Campbell
Four Commissioners were present. Jake Gillen was absent.
The October 20 meeting of the County Commissioners seemed to focus on money issues, not surprising in an era of economic uncertainty. The Auditor/Treasurer, Fran Windschitl, reported on our cash and pooled investments for the period recently ending Sept. 30. Also available in our packet was the list of financial institutions used by the county as well as the amount of Rice county's money each bank holds and also includes the investment types (checking? savings? CD? etc.) There are also two pages of the 2009 cash book as well as a schedule of deposits and investments. This is excellent information to have available although it may be little difficult to understand at first.
Three of the larger county departments gave their 2010 budget presentations: Corrections - Community Corrections - Jim Haas - reported on cuts in personnel, programs and on other spending reductions. Juvenile placements - 2009 will be the lowest expense in 5 years. This continues a downward trend that will likely continue in 2010. Some fees have increased and some have dropped.
County Attorney - Paul Beaumaster - He is hopeful that next year it will be possible to adjust his staff numbers.
Highway - Dennis Luebbe - Highway needs never go away but the ability to shift funds around is helpful.
Sky Harbor Air Park is located in Rice County, Webster Township. The air park currently includes homes for 50 families and 70+ aircraft. At Tuesday's meeting a group of individuals were present to request zoning laws which would prevent creation of future airport hazards such as cellular telephone towers, wind generators, and power transmission lines. Also of concern was the adoption of zoning laws which would restrict adjacent land uses to landing and taking off -- "normal airport operations." The concerned citizens present fear that competing interests such as cell phone towers, wind generators, etc will add obstacles and navigational and airspace hazards.. Currently a zoning amendment is being prepared which would alter the airport surface zones and restrict the height of any object in those surface zone areas.
As of now an amendment to the Rice County Zoning Ordinance has been applied for by James Huddock of Webster. This is an issue which will soon come before the Rice County Planning Commission.
Comments
Georgiana - do you think the concerns of the Sky Harbor folks are prompted by the request to put up turbines in Greenvale Township even though the latter is in Dakota County?