LWV Observer - Georgiana Campbell
Three of the county departments had significant issues which they presented.
Public Health: Mary Ho - Contracts with Our Homes South, Inc. and Medica Health Plans. These will be adjusted, with the result that funds will be allocated in a more helpful way.
Planning and Zoning: Kevin Murphy - Requested approval of a plan to create one parcel of land through use of transfer of a development right. Approval was granted. Planning and Zoning also requested approval of a certificate of correction for the plat of Turkey View Estates. That request was also approved.
Auditor/Treasurer: Fran Windschitl - This request was for the approval of the County's Ditch Inspector Contract with the Soil and Water Conservation District for the period January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011. This approval was also granted. After the approval, the Commissioners commented on how pleased they are with the good care that the ditches have had recently.
Auditor/Treasurer WIndschitl also asked for adoption of a resolution awarding the sale of $15,000,000 in CIP Bonds. The resolution was approved. It paved the way for Windschitl to engage in the selling of the bonds. Rice County's bonds have received an AA rating and so were sold without difficulty. The commissioners were pleased that that the bonds had sold so well as the money from their sale can be used to finance the road repair needed and already planned to take place next spring. As Commissioner Plaisance had pointed out, the road repair would provide jobs for people looking for employment. Thanks to Rice County's sale of the bonds, more money is now available to spend on road repair.
The final financial issue was the discussion of Northfield's proposed establishment of a Housing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District. The added tax increment financing District helps make possible the rehabilitation of 50 affordable rental units from the first (and older) TIF District.
There will be a public hearing on the establishment of the TIF District on December 7, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. A draft of the tax increment financing plan will be sent to the County Board and the School Board in early November.
