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Commissioners to certify levy

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BROWN COUNTY — Commissioners will certify the 2021 Brown County Budget and Levy on Tuesday, Dec. 15.

The proposed $14,141,462 levy is 2.79% ($384,506) above the certified 2020 levy. The overall county budget would increase 7.26% in 2021, but total appropriations are 5.1% less than the 2020 budget.

There is a $100,000 contingency line item at this time. With the uncertainty in the 2021 legislative session, the assurance of aid Brown County receives from the State is questionable.

Commissioners will also consider:

• The sheriff’s office purchasing 15 Axon X26P tasers for $19,793 to replace existing tasers to be taken out of service, deemed surplus, and declared excess property for disposal/sale.

• Authorizing an easement and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) application for right of way needed on DNR property for the Bridge 2110 replacement project on CSAH 8/Renville CSAH 3 over the Minnesota River.

The existing alignment of Renville CSAH 3 runs through the Nesburg Landing Aquatic Management Area owned by the DNR. The new bridge is proposed to be about 70 feet downstream of the existing bridge.

Road approaches to the new bridge require new right of way to be purchased. The DNR requires a county board resolution authorizing the easement and application before they will consider the request. The Renville County Board is considering a similar resolution.

• A new Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) for the Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance (GBERBA), which is updating its JPA allowing the ability to act as the management entity for the Watonwan River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. The agreement was reviewed by the county attorney’s office with no substantial changes.

• Authorizing interest from the Landfill Trust Fund to be placed in the Landfill Operating Fund. The trust fund is fully funded at this point with a $2,973,844.13 balance as of Nov. 30, 2020.

• A COVID-19 update from Brown County Public Health Director Karen Moritz.

“We are seeing significant impacts of the rise in cases throughout our county including healthcare being overwhelmed,” Moritz wrote in the update background.

“We have had a significant increase in hospitalizations and deaths along with long-term care and congregate living outbreaks,” Moritz added. “We have quickly become overwhelmed in the last few weeks.”

• The meeting starts at 9 a.m. Dec. 15 in the Brown County Law Enforcement Center Training Room. Zoom access is available by calling Brown County Administration at 507-233-6600.

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

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