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Commissioners OK preliminary property tax hike

NEW ULM — Brown County Commissioners unanimously approved a proposed 2018 property tax levy for certification Tuesday.

The proposed $13,146,002 levy marks a 3.9 percent increase over the 2017 certified levy and is based on a 2018 draft county budget of $34,916,231. Levy increases over the past five years were 3.25 percent in 2017, 3.5 percent in 2016, 4 percent in 2015, zero percent in 2014 and 1.86 percent in 2013.

The final budget and levy will be adopted by the County Board on Dec. 19. The final property tax levy to be approved in December may be equal to or lower than the proposed levy, but cannot be higher, according to state law.

There were six 2018 draft budget call-back items as of Aug. 24. The 2018 draft budget contingency (unexpected costs) line item was set at $124,327. There are reserves budgeted as revenue to lower the need for property tax levy revenue.

“The 2017 actual budget is where it should be. We’re in very solid financial condition,” said Brown County Administrator Chuck Enter.

Commissioners unanimously approved:

• A petition by Richard, Michael and Kenneth Griebel to outlet 92 acres of land into County Ditch (CD) 70. The landowners have obtained access to CD 70 from the landowner whose property the tile will cross. The ditch system is now in the redetermination process.

All fees including mailing, publication, viewing, engineering costs and an outlet fee would be borne by the requesting landowners. After ditch viewers complete their redetermination work, a public hearing will be scheduled.

• A consultant agreement not to exceed $10,500 with Erickson Engineering for hydraulic analysis, preliminary bridge design and repair options for the bridge on County Highway 8, aka the Franklin or Hale Bridge over the Minnesota River.

The last bridge traffic count was 80 vehicles a day. It was closed Aug. 1 after a critical structural deficiency was found. The bridge load was five tons for several years due to other structural problems.

Before the bridge closed, Renville County expressed interest in replacing the bridge and helping pay for it. On Sept. 12, the Renville County Board approved a 20 percent contribution, or up to $2,100 towards the Erickson Engineering proposal.

• Transferring parcel 190.003.001.03.030 (Section 3, Milford Township), about 10.5 acres of land, to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Management Program. The property was acquired via FEMA Hazard Mitigation and Mn DNR Flood Damage Relief Funds to the Mn DNR Wildlife Management Program.

The New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen approached the county about installing a water access through the parcel. The idea has been discussed with the DNR and the groups plan on working together to install the access that would be maintained by the New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen Club.

Brown County Planning and Zoning Department Wetlands, Water Planning and Recycling Administrator John Knisley said most of the property is in the floodplain and frequently floods.

DNR Southern Region Lands and Minerals Operations Coordinator Ben Schaefer said the land was a solid thistle patch this spring but that the DNR would control invasive species in the property.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.

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