LWV Observers - Judy Covey & Georgiana Campbell
All Commissioners present; Commissioner Brown presiding.
This week’s meeting began with the Highway Dept. The SRF consulting group reported on planning, environmental documentation, and funding options for major projects. Brad Larson, retired Scott County engineer, presented the information, which included information on funding options. Funding options were an important part of what was described. They are especially important as the County faces the interchange development of the I-35 highway and County Road 9. He also presented information on the purpose of environmental documents. We know that the law requires filing environmental documents for such a project. In fact state law would prevent any work being started until the environmental process is complete. However, the message was that not a lot of public involvement is required. (This would seem a mixed message, yet to be clarified.) Having to do with a different highway project, roadside hazard elimination, the low (and only bid) was $50,000 for guardrail replacement.. Commissioners voted to approve.
Keith Carlson, Executive Director of the Minnesota Inter-County Association, was present to give the annual overview of legislative changes (in the most recent session) which affect the county. The End - of -Session Report is that the county is in for big problems. The property tax will continue much the same. Health and Human Services received the largest cut, more than did the environment or public safety, to name a few. Bob Vanasek, and John Tuma, both legislators at one time from Rice County, were present as part of the MICA staff. A brief summary of MICA’s message includes these excerpts from one of their hand-outs: “budget balanced in short term but long term problems remain”, and, regarding public safety and corrections, “budget cuts manageable, but future challenges loom.”
Fran Windschitl, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the report on Rice County’s cash and pooled investments for the period ending June 30, 2008. Considering the current uncertain economy, the report on Rice County’s financial situation probably comforted those present. Also, a professional consulting services agreement between Rice County and Government Management Group was approved by the Commissioners. The Group will provide consulting services related to indirect cost recoveries of federal programs.
There was continued discussion of the Public Defenders issue: Should the county have to pay the attorneys’ fees now that the state had stopped paying them? (It has seemed to some that the public defenders play an important role in our judicial system.) A vote on Resolution #08-046 (Denial of County Funding for State Public Defenders) will soon be taken. Despite much recent discussion about the consequences the Commissioners could face, and the fact that this Tuesday the Commissioners saw the survey responses other counties have made to the attorney fees question, their final decision is uncertain.
