Letter to the Editor
To the Editor:
The good news is that the preliminary 2024 county budget increase, that last year was over 10% and $1,000,000, this year is 3.7% or an increase of $381,000. Last year’s ended up much lower and this year will also drop before a final is approved.
The bad news is that the 2024 budget includes over 1M dollars of new funding from the state that without that would have increased the levy by over 10%.
We were warned to be very careful this cycle as the 2025 budget cycle will show the true cost of all the programs passed last spring at the state legislature.
New things coming that will affect not only the county, but all private businesses as well, are new laws expanding sick time. Required by all employers with as few as one employee. Many companies already have sick pay programs that are a good benefit, but this gives additional hours. Accumulate on day one of employment and can be used on day two. And almost for any reason.
January 1, 2025, will see new family leave laws, that will add a new payroll tax paid by both the employer and the employee. And there are more things coming that will affect us all. Your taxes will go up in one form or another. Called reparations, there is a new program to help communities adversely affected by Minnesota’s long prohibition of cannabis. Minnesota Care for non-citizens is something that could have an effect in Wadena County and in many ways.
Looking at surrounding counties and how they promote growth, Wadena County passed a countywide new home tax abatement up to $15,000. There is a simple application that you need before you start construction that you get at the auditor or zoning office. There are some restrictions, so be sure to get the permit which will require the same things as always, a septic and assessor visit to determine valuation.
At some point we plan to review the current policy in regard to commercial property and how to promote growth.
On August 29, I, along with Deana Malone, attended a State Hearing in regards to 3000 acres of former Potlatch acres. The topic was to secure non-levy funds to purchase the property. As you may know this land has restrictions, that it cannot be split and sold to private owners.
That would have been my first choice, but it is not an option at this point. By being owned by the county we hope to provide access to all residents while at the same time, protecting it for future residents and gaining income from future timber sales. It may provide access to some current land locked state land that currently has none. More to follow.
Murlyn Kreklau
District 4 Commissioner