Wadena County Commissioners: Residents unhappy about proposed 4.91% budget increase

by Trinity Gruenberg

trinty@inhnews.com

The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on November 29, followed by the Truth in Taxation hearing. Commissioner Bill Stearns was absent.

Truth in Taxation

Heather Olson, auditor/treasurer, explained the proposed budget and levy for 2022.

The preliminary levy was set at $10,145,228 after county program aid with a proposed increase in the budget of 4.91 percent. The majority of the increase is from payroll and benefits.

Visitors in the audience were not pleased with the proposed increase.

“They are getting paid Twin Cities money to live in a small city...why do we have to spend big city money to attract people here?” asked Phil Iverson.

He added the retired people can’t handle it.

“If the goal of the county is to break the back of the taxpayer, so when you retire you can’t afford what you’ve worked for your whole life and enjoy it...I don’t get it. That’s where we’re headed,” said Todd Barrett. . .

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