NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners unanimously approved a 1.5 percent ($195,956) increase for the 2019 Certified Levy amount of $13,259,717 Tuesday.

The 1.5 percent increase over the 2018 certified levy was whittled down from a 2.25 percent 2019 hike proposed earlier this fall.

In addition, the 1.5 percent increase included $221,846 in contingency funds, down from $319,825 in contingency funds that were part of a 2.25 levy increase.

“We have adequate reserves. I don’t think we’re in the business of piling up reserves,” said Commissioner Dennis Potter. He made a motion to approve the 1.5 percent levy hike, seconded by Commissioner Tony Berg. Other commissioners agreed on the 1.5 percent levy increase.

The current draft 2019 budget includes $4,348,112 in reserves budgeted as revenue in order to lower the need for property tax levy revenue. That figure includes $4,185,000 in road & bridge funds from the Local Option Sales Tax for the CSAH 29 project.

Brown County Administrator Chuck Enter said the favorable health insurance bid helped keep the 2019 levy increase down.

Commissioners also approved:

• The continuation of a Local Option Sales Tax for Transportation, motion by Commissioner Scott Windschitl, seconded by Berg.

Brown County began collecting the sales tax in the second quarter of 2016 and collected $4,250,000 through December 2018. It is estimated the sales tax will need to be collected through 2019 to have enough funds for the CSAH 29 construction project.

The current 10-year construction program includes several projects identified as using the Local Option Sales Tax for Transportation. If discontinued, projects will need to be cut from the 10-year program.

Projects to consider for the continuation of the sales tax as listed in the 10-year plan with estimated sales tax needed are CSAH 13 from New Ulm to Hanska in 2021, $3,700,000; CSAH 20 from CSAH 13 to TH 15 in 2022 $1,050,000; CSAH 20 from CSAH 16 to TH 4 in 2023 $2,100,000; and CSAH 27 from TH 14 to CSAH 11 in 2026 $2,100,000.

Estimates are based on current construction costs with inflation added to future years.

• Approved an $18,600 Fiscal Year 2018/2019 Natural Resources Block Grant for county residents with septic system issues and no matching amount.

• Approved proposed Brown County Fee Schedule revisions including raising the current agricultural structure fee from $0.03/sq. ft, $26.25 minimum, $525 maximum to $0.05/sq. ft, $26.25 minimum and no maximum fee by a 4-1 vote, motion by Windschitl, seconded by Borchert. Commissioner Dean Simonsen cast the dissenting vote.

Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrator Robert Santaella said some current county fees don’t cover meeting costs. Fees will be reviewed at a public hearing set for 11 a.m., Tuesday, Jan.22.

• Tabled a SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Partnership Grant Application for 2 hydration stations, 1 at the courthouse, 1 at the Brown County License Bureau/Heartland Express office. Motion by Windschitl, seconded by Simonsen.

Employee Wellness Program Coordinator Melissa Hoffmann will research the grant to see if more money is available for more improvements.

“I think it’s a good grant, but how about the Sleepy Eye Extension building,?” Commissioner Windschitl said.

• Approved the abandonment of portions of County Ditch 45 that were never constructed. In addition they approved the engineer and viewer reports completed for CD 45, motion by Potter, seconded by Berg.

• Authorized an $18,000 assessment with 4 percent interest to accrue after 60 days, motion by Windschitl, seconded by Simonsen.

CD 45 has 1.83 acres to be acquired for buffer planting at a cost of $7,341 an acre for a total of $13,434. A construction easement is paid at 5 percent of land value on 10.32 acres for $3,787. Total damages paid to landowners will be $17,581.

• Approved CD 60 engineer and viewer reports, motion by Potter, seconded by Berg. Authorized a $317,000 assessment with 4 percent interest to accrue after 60 days, motion by Berg, seconded by Potter.

CD 60 has 29.31 acres to be acquired for buffer planting at a cost of $7,332 per acre for a total of $214,901. A construction easement on 112.83 acres is $41,409. Total damages paid to landowners is $256,449.

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