Jan 23 Rice County Commissioners Meeting, notes by Orick Peterson, LWV NCF observer
- All commissioners are present. The usual call to order by Commissioner Malecha, then pledge of allegiance, roll call, and approval of today’s agenda and minutes of Jan 9 meeting.
- FINANCE
- Local option sales tax (LOST)
- Paula O’Connell offered for approval the next step in presenting to the voters a local option sales tax (LOST) of .375% to pay for the justice center. In 2022, the Board had asked the legislature for approval to ask for a taxpayer vote on LOST. Today the commissioners vote whether or not to accept the legislature’s approval to proceed and to continue the process.
- Current sales tax in Rice County is 7.375%, a state tax for highways. O’Connell reminds the Board that this was approved as a possible way to successfully pay off the bond issue. Commissioners discussed whether this sales tax or a property tax levy would be fairer and more appropriate. They discussed possible costs of education and administration for a public vote.
- The proposal to continue the process passed with one dissent.
- Faribo Sno-go support of Federal Recreational Trail Grant application
- Nominal Board support for this group was needed to apply for the grant and it passed unanimously.
- Local option sales tax (LOST)
- ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
- Julie Runkel presented various applications which were all approved unanimously.
- Then she presented a resolution to adopt Amendments to the Rice County Zoning Ordinance, which had been discussed in work sessions. This is a change to the period that grandfathers in existing regulations for 5 years, until 2029. Thereafter the newly adjusted zoning restrictions on farm building will come in force, but commissioners were assured that there is a clear legal process for fair administration and for variances as needed. This passed unanimously.
- SOCIAL SERVICES
- Megan Thomas presented continuing contracts for Adult Services. Each of five contracts for outside services was presented and approved separately by unanimous votes.
- At 9:00 am the Board meeting was interrupted to hold a scheduled public hearing on the 2024-2033 Transportation Improvement Plan.
- HIGHWAY
- Dennis Luebbe pointed out that the Transportation Improvement Plan is always adopted for five years but is modified each year to adapt to changing circumstances. He has received no response to invitations to comment. He emphasized that the county’s priority is creating and maintaining longterm corridors across the county. The plan comprises $119 million in projects, variously funded by state, local, neighboring and occasionally federal sources.
- 2024 includes $18.4 million in projects including 3 bridges, a roundabout at highway I-35 and 19, and other smaller projects. Luebbe also briefly reviewed plans for the following 2 years. He assured commissioners that all plans are well in hand financially and in engineering. He urged commissioners to always remind our state legislators that we need continuing bridge funding from the state, which covers about 50% of county bridge costs.
- The 2024-2033 Transportation Improvement Plan was approved unanimously and will be posted on the Rice County government website.
- PARKS & FACILITIES DEPARTMENT
- Matthew Verdick
- Central Control Desk Quote for Public Safety Center
- $30,250 cost is approved unanimously. Cost includes extra ergonomic features and lower alignment of multiple monitors for better visibility.
- Detention Furniture Quote for Public Safety Center
- This cost is under budget and is unanimously approved.
- Key Retro Fit Project Quotes
- Verdick ask approval to bring all key service in-house and coordinate all buildings. The $107,000 will save $100,000 by not replacing existing hardware that uses real keys but it brings this system under direct control of the department. There have been no problems with the existing system.The previous locksmith is retiring. The badge system stays intact and separate.
- The quotation is approved with one dissent.
- HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT with Luebbe again.
- Resolution #24-005, Supporting Rice County Active Transportation Grant Application for County State Aid Highway No. 15 and 44, mainly for a cooperative project to add sidewalks to a street in Morristown.
- D. Resolution #24-004, Supporting Application for Active Transportation grant funding for CSAH 11, to add and relocate sidewalk segments, in cooperation with the city of Faribault.
- Two final payments on two other projects were also approved.
- SHERIFF’S OFFICE
- Jesse Thomas
- The updated Rice County Emergency Operation Plan was offered for approval and the vote was unanimous.
- ADMINISTRATION
- Sara Folsted presented the consent agenda and the out-of-state travel requests, both approved unanimously.
- ADJOURNMENT
