Todd County Board of CommissionersBoard does not support increased transportation taxesby Karin L. Nauber
karin@inhnews.com County Engineer Loren Fellbaum presented a resolution that had been drafted by the Association of Minnesota Counties for county boards to indicate their support to the state legislature for the creation of new transportation revenue. After extensive discussion, the board voted 3-2 to not give their support to the resolution. Voting in favor were Commissioners Mark Blessing and Rod Erickson. Fellbaum explained that the resolution would allow for increases in various revenue sources to increase transportation in counties and to help them keep their systems up. Some of those potential increase areas included: a raise in the gas tax, increased sales tax on automotive parts or a wheelage tax. The resolution stated that the annual funding gap for counties had resulted in deferring some of the basic maintenance, delaying expansion projects with resulting safety concerns, mounting congestion and missed economic growth for businesses and commuters. According to the Federal Highway Administration, every $1 billion invested in highway construction would support approximately 27,800 jobs. It was estimated that the overall transportation and transit needs for Minnesota exceeds $2.5 billion per year for the next 20 years. The wheelage fee and a local option sales tax for transportation would be one of the options afforded to county boards to implement their specific county needs. Commissioner David Kircher said that he supported it in part, but not the part where it gives the county board the authority to make a wheelage tax and a sales tax. “I am disappointed in the state that they are not taking the bull by the horns and giving us the money to improve our transportation,” said Kircher, who added that he did not want to raise taxes. “I am disappointed that AMC would even ask us to support this,” said Kircher. Chairman Randy Neumann said he agreed with Kircher. He felt that the metro areas would get the funding. “I can see the writing on the wall. It will leave the out-state areas fighting for the little we get,” said Neumann. Fellbaum said that he agreed that the gas tax benefits the metro area, but said that the wheelage tax would go directly to the county. He said those funds could be used for county roads that are not under the state aid system. Kircher asked how many vehicles were registered in Todd County and wondered if people would register them elsewhere if the county approved this. Fellbaum said there were approximately 38,000 various vehicles from cars, trucks and motorcycles to trailers and things like that registered in the county. Citizen Steve Beck said that he agreed that the funds would go to other areas of the state. He said he would prefer if the county did a bond for road work and the county paid for that and then moved on to the next project. “Taxes increase every year,” said Beck. Kircher said he would like Fellbaum to come back with another resolution that says the state will take responsibility and properly fund the county’s infrastructure. Fellbaum said he would prepare that resolution and bring it to the next regular board meeting. Consent Items MIS Director Chris Pelzer introduced Zach Aaberg, the new GIS specialist. Approved a one day gambling permit for the Big Lake Sportsman’s Club to hold a raffle at the club house in Turtle Creek Township on August 17. Approved an on sale 3.2 malt liquor license and a set up license for the Little Moran Hunting Club. Approved a beer license for Hometown Holiday Resort. Approved a liquor license for Saukinac Campgrounds. Approved the 2012 medical examiner report. Todd County Extension Committee Met the new Todd County Ag Educator Brenda Miller. She will be working at 75% for the county. She said that July 20 will be the annual Breakfast on the Farm at the Twin Eagle Dairy in Clarissa. Public Works After discussion, the board approved County Engineer Loren Fellbaum entering into a contract with the Cooperative Purchasing Venture for the acquisition of road salt for the 2013-2014 winter season. Fellbaum said this was the third year they have gone with the state contract. The county had been using some treated salt, but Fellbaum said that at this time, they would be going with just regular salt. He said that the treated salt is 10-11% higher in price and although it works better, there are some pros and cons to using it. Fellbaum also reported that they did use more salt this year, but do have 400 ton in stock now. Awarded the construction contract for pavement markings to Traffic Marking Services of Maple Lake for $74,096.90. Fellbaum said because this is a decrease in the rate from .045 to .0435 dollars per foot, they will actually be able to cover more miles this year. Approved the request from Mathiowetz Construction for the reduction of contract retainage with the consent from the Engineer WSB and the city of Staples. The retainage will be reduced to 2% of the work certified. It is currently at 5%. The county and city want to retain enough so the company will still return to finish up a few punch list items, but Fellbaum said he had no concerns about this. Hands of Hope The board approved a proclamation recognizing the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Hands of Hope served 37 new adult sexual assault victims as well as 15 new juvenile victims and their loved ones in the county in fiscal year 2012. Sheriff’s Department Approved the hire of Christina Sobiech as a full-time jailor/dispatcher at a grade 17, step 1 effective March 10. She was a part-time employee and Sheriff Peter Mikkelson said he felt she was the best choice for the position. The posting was listed in-house only. Emergency Management Adopted the Todd County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan. Adopting the plan will make the county and participating jurisdictions eligible to receive FEMA hazard mitigation assistance grants. Health and Human Services Approved a request from the Health and Human Services Department to order seven new workstations at a cost of $15,694.10 from Impact Technologies. Auditor/Treasurer Approved repair of the Expo Building roof to be done by May 31 by RJ Contracting of Long Prairie at a cost of $1074.08. |
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