State aid cuts mean tough decisions ahead for county board
By Deb GauMARSHALL - Lyon County has been preparing to get through state aid cuts this year, but it's next year's budget that will pose some big questions.
At their regular meeting Tuesday, Lyon County commissioners had a mix of opinions on how to handle a projected loss of more than $300,000 in 2010. Deciding on the issue could mean anything from higher taxes to layoffs or the loss of county services.
Lyon County Administrator Loren Stomberg said the county could lose around $327,000 in program aid next year, and asked commissioners for direction in dealing with the next round of cuts.
The preliminary budget needs to be certified by Sept. 15. The preliminary budget can be decreased but not increased.
A revised 2009 budget Stomberg presented Tuesday made use of the county's pay freeze, as well as substantial cuts to the county's elections budget and funds the county had budgeted to hire an information technology employee. However, Stomberg said those cuts won't solve budget problems in the long term - for example, the elections budget will need to go back up in 2010.
There are several possible directions the county could take for the 2010 budget, Stomberg said, including levying back the amount of funds unallotted in 2008 and 2009. Those unallotments total more than $350,000.
Commissioner Bob Fenske asked Stomberg what a 2010 budget would look like if he calculated for the maximum levy increase allowed by law. Stomberg had said the levy limit for Lyon County would probably be set at less than two percent.
"We've never abused that," said commissioner Phil Nelson. Commissioner Steve Ritter agreed.
"I would like to see this board do a zero levy increase for 2010," Ritter said. "I think most of the commissioners were at the Truth In Taxation meeting," when local business owners criticized the county over 2009 tax rates.
"I think we need to remember who we're working for," Ritter said.
"So, we're looking at layoffs and cutting services," said board chairman Rodney Stensrud.
"Maybe," Ritter said.
Stensrud and Fenske said they would rather see a middle ground between tax increases and cutting positions or services.
"I would like to know where the maximum (levy) is, and see what it would generate," Stensrud said. Commissioner Mark Goodenow suggested that county department heads also be asked for their feedback on how to balance budget needs with employee pay.
Commissioners directed Stomberg to look at both a maximum county levy for 2010 and a budget without levy increases, and report back at the board's first meeting in August.
In other business Tuesday, Lyon County Public Works Director Suhail Kanwar shared a release from MnDOT announcing the start of concrete paving on the State Highway 23 construction project. Paving is scheduled to begin July 13 and continue for two weeks, the release said.
Detours around the construction zone, which stretches from Marshall to Cottonwood, will remain in place during paving. However, the release said residents living along the northern part of the construction zone will be allowed to access their homes by driving on the shoulder of the highway.
|
ruralroute
|
|
|---|---|
|
07-08-09 5:15 PM
|
Usually, the biggest decision the Lyon County Board faces is whether to have donuts or bagels for their morning lunch.
|
|
TommmyA
|
|
|
07-08-09 2:12 PM
|
Send MarionCooper the bill for the shortfalls as it appears she has money to burn. The county can start by cutting these insane benefits being offered and that they are being sued for. Stop spending and you'll save a bunch!
|