LWV Observer - Georgiana Campbell
This meeting included a visit by high school students in the county who were participating in Youth Government Day activities. This is an annual event and included students from high schools in New Prague, Faribault, Northfield, and also from Bethlehem Academy. They observed some of the county board meeting, and later toured the district courts, and the county jail, ate lunch with the commissioners, department heads and staff, and finished the day by touring some of the departments and then concluded by turning in their evaluations.
Departments with business included Solid Waste, headed by Michael Cook,who needed decisions on bids for expansion of the Hazardous Waste Building and on bids for the landfill phase 6 cell construction. The low bid for the Hazardous Waste Building was accepted. There were 11 bids for the construction of the landfill cell phase 6 and all bids came in under the engineer’s estimate, the   lowest being accepted.
Dennis Luebbe of the Highway Dept. asked for adoption of two resolutions. One would establish “No Parking” restrictions on CSAH 28 (Woodley Street in Northfield) when the reconstruction takes place later this year. That was approved. The other approval was of a road maintenance agreement with Wheeling Township.
Mark Shaw, heading Social Services, asked for approval of a contract for a Spanish interpreter. This was approved.
Auditor/Treasurer, FranWindschitl reported on the county’s recent sale of bonds, and the commissioners adopted the resolution awarding the sale of bonds. This involved proposals “which had been received for the purchase of the County’s $2,000,000 General Obligation Capital Improvement Bonds, Series 2008.The packets commissioners and observers received contained much detailed information on the bond sale which is more complicated than can be summarized by this observer.
Windschitl also reported applications for approval of an on-sale liquor license (3 requests) and for a lawful gambling license (3 requests). These were approved.
Planning and Zoning, Julie Runkel, department head, brought in 3 items for approval. All were approved. Two involved approval of a preliminary and final plat to combine lots, or in the third case, a waiver of plat for a 2 acre plot through use of transfer of development right. Interestingly, of the 3Â requests, the “conditions of approval” for two included the condition of changing the septic arrangements.
Administrator Gary Weiers brought two important discussions to the commissioners. The first was on  2009 Budget Goals, Objectives, and Timelines.  Because of the current economic situation plus the uncertainty about what the state legislature will do, there was a good deal of discussion. Budget principles include: “No service expansions will be considered unless outside funding sources cover the complete cost of the service.” and “Departments are encouraged to evaluate the status quo and explore creative problem solving…” Budget goals include “Maintain the ranking as one of the lowest per capita tax levies for county services in the State of Minnesota.” ” New positions will not be    added.” “To continue implementation of economic development strategies to enhance the Rice Co.    tax base.” Weiers included a budget calendar which began on May 13 and continued to December 29th.
The last topic to be discussed was the joint meeting of the commissioners with the City of Faribault in regard to the intersection of .I-35 and County Road 9. The commissioners believed no outside  facilitator was needed for the May 20th meeting. However, to avoid the tendency of some individuals to stray from the meeting’s agenda, it was suggested that two commissioners and two  Faribault representatives should meet before the meeting and plan the agenda so that time will not be wasted and the work will be accomplished.
