The Sherburne County Board voted Tuesday not to raise their salaries for 2016.

 

It was the third straight year they voted for no increase, and the sixth time in the last seven years.

 

Commissioner Rachel Leonard was the only board member to make any comment on the issue.

 

“I’ve said it so long about our employees, we can never pay them what they are worth. They are priceless,” she said. “And I must say the same thing about our county commissioners. We can’t pay them what they’re worth. I wish we could.”

 

Leonard made a motion to keep the commissioners’ salaries at $38,406. Commissioner Bruce Anderson seconded the motion. It passed, 4-1. Commissioner Ewald Petersen voted against the motion but did not comment.

The board last voted for an increase in December, 2012 when they took a two percent raise for 2013. Their old salary of $37,653 had stayed the same since 2008.

 

2016 salaries for the four elected officials: sheriff, recorder, county attorney and auditor/treasurer will be set at the next board meeting. Last year, they received a two percent increase, which was the average increase for most county staff. 

 

The board approved annual rebates totalling $242,223.34 to 10 businesses that have been approved for tax abatements. The 2015 payments were: Inland Big Lake, LLC, $55,077.46; Provo Enterprises LLC, $9,493.44; O’Brien Holdings, $16,401.46; Tom/Rikki Bauer, $14,010.40; Wisconsin Label Corp, $11,126.43; Bank of Elk River, $19,011.84; Mowry Properties LLC, $47,830.93; Envision Company LLC, $47,554.70; Inline Packaging LLC, $9,635.40; UMA Precision Machining, $12,081.28.

 

The board also approved the transfer of a tax abatement from nEnvision Company/Sportech to Envision 3, LLC, which is the same owner.

 

The board approved license renewals through Dec. 31 2020 for B&E Recycling; Tri-County Pallet & Crate; Product Recovery, Inc. and Central Appliance Recyclers.  

 

The board approved a contract with Wruck Excavating, Inc. in Becker to do a court-ordered solid waste cleanup of the Gene Moey property on Co. Rd. 11 in Santiago Twp. at a cost of $2,750.

 

In other action the board:

• Renewed contacts with Doug Bosaker and Nate Parker to facilitate adult and juvenile Cognitive Restructuring and Driving with Care programs in 2016;

 

• Approved the transfer of $5,740 from the unallocated recorder’s fund to the auditor/treasurer for property tax software and scanner;

 

•Approved the preliminary and final plat for Home Place Subdivision, consisting of one lot with existing building site on 12.3 acres at 2037 37th Street SE  in Haven Twp.;

 

•Approved the preliminary and final residential re-plat of Acorn Ridge Fifth Addition, consisting of two existing residences on five acres at 24787 117th Street in Livonia Twp.;

 

•Approved the preliminary and final residential plat for Carlson Estates, consisting of three lots on 35.44 acres on 146th Street and 225th Ave. in Big Lake Twp.;

 

•Approved the preliminary and final plat for Kraemer Landing, consisting of one 5.26-acre lot with existing residence at 7626 57th Street SE in Palmer Twp.;

 

•Approved the final residential plat of Mystic Ridge, consisting of 13 lots on 40 acres at 255th Ave. and Co. Rd. 1 in Orrock Twp.