County reviews 2009 budget: more changes may come
By KURT NESBITT, Journal Staff WriterNEW ULM - County officials reviewed Brown County's present budget scenario Tuesday morning during a discussion of the county's draft budget for the upcoming year.
The state budget forecast, expected Thursday, may mean more measures to save more money in 2009. The forecast is anticipated by some to show a significant budget deficit similar to the one Minnesota experienced about five years ago.
Brown County's state-certified property tax levy for 2009 is $10.8 million - a 6.19 percent increase over the present levy.
Some parts of the county budget have increased and some have decreased since Oct. 28, when the county board last reviewed the draft budget.The Probation Department budget will not see the $8,000 increase it once anticipated because Brown County District Judge John Rodenberg denied the department's request for a pre-trial supervision fee, so the $8,000 will be avoided.
The draft budget presently has a new line item of $1,970 that will fund the county's membership in the South Central Minnesota Radio Board. The line item was created after county officials determined 911 funds cannot be used for regional radio board expenses.
The budget for some departments might increase over what officials originally planned to spend this coming year, but there may be a silver lining for Brown County's budget in 2009, thanks in part to the IRS.
A balanced budget in 2009 will require $68,293 from county reserves. However, the cost of fuel in 2009 - and the IRS mileage reimbursement rate - could cut the amount of reserves needed to balance the budget by $30,000. Additionally, lower fuel prices could save the county an additional $55,000 to $110,000 depending on how far fuel prices sink next year.
If the current fuel prices continue through 2009, the IRS mileage rate and the fuel cost reduction should both help the county save the reserves it budgeted altogether.
The county board may reduce the levy when it takes its final vote on the budget Dec. 16 by applying more of its reserves.
The draft budget still includes the $125,000 local levy input for road construction in the Highway Department budget.
A contingency line item in the draft budget presently lists $272,168 because of unsettled labor contracts and non-union salary plan adjustment for 2009 as well as high profile investigations and prosecutions, building equipment repair or replacement and reduction in state aid halfway through the year as in 2003.
County Administrator Chuck Enter said the upcoming state budget forecast is presently a major concern for county officials. Enter said preliminary reports about the forecast have suggested a significant shortfall, which affected cities and counties in Minnesota in 2003. He said county officials will discuss the matter with Sen. Dennis Frederickson and Representative-elect Paul Torkelson on Dec. 16.
In other county board news:
The recycling contracts with Braun and Borth and Waste Management were approved. Contract rates for both haulers will increase by 4 percent in 2009.
The board approved a $6,836 quote from STS Consultants for the assessment, design and construction of gas wells at the county landfill. According to county documents, the wells will help eliminate landfill gas that can become a fire hazard if it builds up or it can leave through groundwater.
Following that vote, the board approved STS's annual proposal to help the county develop its annual landfill report to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The proposal will cost $8,632.
The board accepted a $25,400 grant from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. The grant will pay for a new van riders program, continuation of the food and shelter program, the cost of attending a national CVSO training program in San Diego, media advertising and a booth at FarmFest.
