What were some of the big stories in Sherburne County government in 2015?

 

Perhaps the biggest story happened right at the end of the year when the county board decided to move ahead with plans to expand the Government Center. 

 

At the Dec. 15 county board meeting, the commissioners debated for 45 minutes before voting to spend $694,000 on schematic plans for the expansion, which will add a new three-story courts building, a new connecting entryway and remodel 135,000 sq. ft. of existing space for other departments at a cost near $44 million.

 

The official vote to start the project will take place in 2016, once bids are in.

 

There were plenty of other stories in 2015 that impacted Sherburne County residents and taxpayers.

 

In January, the board voted to pay off the 2005 Heritage Center Bond early. The original bond amount was $1.965 million. The decision saved the county close to $120,000 over the life of the bond. 

In February, in an effort to continue to upgrade its maintenance equipment, the county approved the purchase of two tandem trucks at a cost of $483,000. Public Works Director John Menter said the trucks being replaced were about 20 years old.

 

In March, Human Resources Director Roxanne Chmielewski retired after 20 years with the county. She had been in charge of the county’s personnel department since 1995. Tammy Bigelow is the HR director.

 

Also in March, more than 60 people met to brainstorm about expanding high-speed internet in Sherburne County. As part of the Blandin Foundation regional partners program, the county received a $25,00 matching grant to conduct a Broadband Feasibility study, and regional partners received $75,000 in broadband related grants.

 

Because of significantly lower oil prices and competitive bidding, Sherburne County saved more than $1.6 million on road projects in 2015. The county also used about $4.3 million in state aid on road projects funds to help lower the cost  to taxpayers.

 

After an hour-long workshop in March, the commissioners decided it wasn’t their responsibility to take the next step  to establish a Lake Improvement District (LID) for the Briggs Lake Chain. 

 

After a petition to for the LID didn’t get the required number of signatures for property owners around the four lakes, members of the Briggs Lake Chain Association (BLCA) proposed forming a LID for three lakes. But  the board wouldn’t approve  that proposal, and directed the BLCA to go back and do a survey of lake residents to see if they would support a three-lake LID.

 

After years of debate over whether to move the Sherburne County Fairgrounds to the Oak Savanna in Becker, the commissioners voted, 3-2 in April to approve a lease agreement with the Sherburne County Agricultural (Ag) Society to keep the fair at its current location in Elk River.

 

The 10-year lease could be terminated if the Ag Society fails to hold a fair one year, or if, after five years, the county receives a valid purchase agreement for economic development on the property.

 

In April, the county refinanced $8,140,000 in 2007 Capital Improvement Bonds at a lower interest rate, saving taxpayers about $150,000 a year, or $1.1 million over the next eight years.

 

In May, the board hired lobbyist David Turch to assist in getting federal funding for transportation projects and economic development. Turch said he has connections in Washington and has had success for other cities and counties.

 

The six-month contract cost the county $4,000 per month. It was extended another year in November.

 

In May Gene Graff retired as Sherburne County Veterans Service Officer. Bruce Price stepped in to fill that position.

 

In June, in conjunction with the Blandin Foundation’s Broadband Communities project, the county donated 50 computers to PCs For People, a non-profit group that refurbishes computers and distributes them to low income people.

 

Two goals of the project are to help spread high-speed internet to unserved and underserved parts of the county, and help people get more familiar with technology.

 

In July, the board decided it wasn’t the right time to invest about $100,00 to set up a video system to start video-recording county board meetings. The issue is likely to come up again during the planning stage of the Government Center expansion project.

 

Also in July, after complaints by residents about clear cutting of trees at Sand Dunes State Forest by the DNR, the board voted unanimously to send a letter of opposition to the DNR and to contact state and federal representatives regarding the issue. With that vote, Board Chair Felix Schmiesing reminded residents that the county has no jurisdiction over state lands.

 

In August, the county probation department switched from a County Probation Officer (CPO) system to a Community Corrections Act (CCA) system. Under a CCA, all juvenile and adult offenders, even felons, are supervised by the county probation department. The switch is supposed to be more efficient, proved better service at a lower cost and give the county local control over its offenders.

 

In August, three commissioners took part in a debate over the future funding formula for the Tri-County Crime Lab. Wright County was considering pulling out of the joint partnership with Sherburne County and Anoka County because of “inequitable funding,” according to Wright County Commissioner Pat Sawatzke. He felt the formula should be based partly on usage and not totally on population. In a 3-2 vote in October, the Wright County Board chose to exercise their out-clause, giving the other partners 180 days notice they intended to pull out of the agreement.

 

In September, the board received the results of a compensation study that showed about 20% of county employees were underpaid. In October, the board was divided over implementing a plan to bring those employees to their correct pay level. But in a 4-1 vote in November, they passed the plan, which will increase the wages of 119 employees on Jan. 1, 2016.

 

In December, the board voted for a 1.4% property tax levy increase for 2016. Along with setting the levy, the county introduced its first online Budget Book, which shows residents how their property taxes are being spent and what projects are being proposed.  It will be updated every year.

Happy New Year!