LWV Observer - Georgiana Campbell
This week’s business meeting began with a report on the 2006 Minnesota
legislative session by the staff of the Metropolitan Inter-County
Association (MICA) to which 13 counties, including Rice, belong. These
reports were interesting, but there is space for only a few of the
details here. MICA staff, headed by Keith Carlson, Executive Director,
gave an overview of what happened during the 2006 session: some
disappointments but no major changes for counties in the short term;
potential future budget problems that should be o.k. if economy keeps
outperforming the forecasts; next year will be the 2nd year of large
property tax increases statewide; major turnover in legislature. ALSO
no relief in the area of unfunded mandates.
Claudia Brewington, Legislative Liaison in the public health and human
services area,reported that little survived of the Governor’s proposed overhaul of the
state’s mental health system. But $52 million is earmarked for child
care subsidies and provider supports for 2006-2009 — with most of the
money coming from a draw-down of TANF reserves.
Bob Vanasek,once a legislator representing this district before joining the MICA staff,
reported on transportation. The fact that there was no transportation
funding package this year obviously bothered the commissioners and they
did not hesitate to express their displeasure.
John Tuma,also an ex-legislator from this area, reported on corrections and public safety
issues. Although recently there has been less and less funding for
Community Corrections Act counties, existing funding levels were
maintained this year. One capital investment approved was the expansion
of the Faribault prison facility, to the satisfaction of the local
community. This, of course, has only been a small part of the MICA report.
The commissioners approved Sheriff Richard Cook’s application for a
“Safe & Sober Traffic Enforcement Project” grant from the Minnesota
Dept. of Public Safety. This would focus on speed limits, seat belt
compliance, publicity about the fact that the project is happening, etc.
Dennis Luebbe of the Highway Dept. gave an update on the road and bridge
construction program. Again, costs are a concern: road construction
prices went up 15% this year.
Commissioners discussed the annual performance review of County
Administrator Gary Weiers.Chairperson Plaisance, read some of the commissioners’ written
comments, all of which were very favorable. The commissioners’ 5-0
vote gave Weiers a merit pay increase of $3,000 for the coming year.
