League of Women Voters of Northfield

LWV Observer – Georgiana Campbell

All Commissioners were present

This meeting was about an  hour in length.  It was a time to finish some of the unfinished business of the year.

Community Corrections – Jim Haas:  Five personal services agreements were approved.  One person is being  hired as a Spanish interpreter   Three persons will aid in pre-sentence investigations.  One will perform office tasks  that  “assist the probation officers in managing workloads”. All requests were  approved by the commissioners.

Auditor/Treasurer – Fran Windschitl:  This was a request  to transfer $200,000 from the general fund to the HRA fund for cash flow purposes.  $140 will be a permanent transfer to the HRA fund for cash flow purposes, to  pay for furniture, equipment, and software  the HRA will need.  The remaining money will be paid back to the general fund.  This too was approved by the commissioners.  Also,  Windschitl asked for approval of an out of state travel request to attend the National Government Finance Officers Association In Seattle June 28 through July 1, 2009.  The request was approved, the commissioners being particularly impressed by the way in which Windschitl  had held down costs.

Administration – Gary Weiers:  Dates were set for the Veterans Service Officer Interviews.  Six individuals were interviewed Dec. 1.  Three individuals will be interviewed Dec. 13.  The Commissioners also set dates for Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment interviews.
Discussion of the 2009 Budget. Those present received (in the packets available to audience members and of course given to commissioners):
9-page Rice County 2009 Budget which included:               Budget Commentary
Budget Omissions
Revenue Increases
HRA Program
Levy and Tax Rate Summary
2009 Levy by Fund
Tax Rate and Levy History
Comparison of County Tax on $150.000 home
County Tax Impact Chart
2008 County Per Capita Tax
Rice County Departmental Budget Summary