Discussion of a proposal to apply a special tax assessment to an upcoming road project, the annual report from Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott and consideration of a tentative budget for presentation at the upcoming annual meeting were among the items discussed at the regular meeting of the Santiago Township Board Wednesday night.
Special Assessment
Long-time township resident Richard Harshman proposed that the board obtain three estimates for needed repairs on 62nd Street one each for repairs to individual trouble spots, grinding up the existing surface and applying gravel to the road, and a full-coat blacktopping of the same stretch of road.
Once the costs were known, Harshman said, residents could consider whether or not they would agree to pay for blacktopping of the road through increases in their taxes. Supervisor David Jehoich commented that many townships and municipalities are moving towards gravel roadways because of the increasing cost of paving projects.
Chairman Stuart Nelson suggested the idea should be brought up at the upcoming annual township meeting for consideration from the floor. The board took no other immediate action on the suggestion.
Sheriff’s Report
The sheriff’s report for 2013 listed a total of 579 calls for service of all types in Santiago Township. Of these, there were three reported assaults, three burglaries and six driving under the influence (DUI) arrests in the “Serious Crimes” section. The report also listed 14 thefts, five criminal damage to property (CDP) cases, and no criminal sexual conduct, narcotics or homicide cases reported in the year.
The number of assaults remained the same as 2011, with burglary and narcotics markedly down in 2013, with DUI being the only category to spike upwards in 2013.
The report also cited the on-going work of the Sherburne County Substance Use Prevention Coalition, a grant-supported group of law enforcement, schools, churches and healthcare clinics.
2014 Budget Proposal
The board reviewed a draft version of the 2014 budget provided by Treasurer Jeff Anderson, which proposes to hold the levy at $300,000, the same levy total asked in 2013. The 2014 plan calls for $77,500 in the general fund, $155,000 for the road and bridge fund, $65,000 for fire protection and $2,500 for park expenses.
The budget also showed an estimated $8,000 for final building construction and landscaping at the town hall/fire station facility, bringing the total expenditures to $308,000 for 2014.
The board agreed to move funds from the maintenance section to the snow plowing portion of the budget, since the amount set aside for plowing last year has nearly been reached due to the unexpected heavy snow.
The board also agreed to place a request before the annual meeting to make an increased contribution to the Becker Fire Relief fund a line item in the annual budget, which would let the voters decide on the measure.
Other Business
Jehoich reported an expenditure of $3,500 would complete the sign repair work in the township, and would bring Santiago up to federal standards well in advance of the deadline. The funds had been set aside previously to complete the work.
The board agreed to vacate a small section of property on 155th Street back to the original owner. The property was taken over by the township during a project to move a section of roadway away from a potential washout area, and was inadvertently never returned to the original owner when the project was completed.
Rep. Jim Newberger (R-Becker) addressed the board, noting his positions in favor of tax reductions for agricultural businesses, and his opposition to water regulation for irrigation purposes.
He also cited his position on efforts to close the Sherco power plant in Becker, noting the plant is a primary employer in the region, and that it is the “economic engine” that provides up to 800 good paying jobs in the region while supporting many other service jobs in the community.
Newberger said that natural gas would be a good alternative to coal, if a pipeline was closer to the existing plant. He estimated it would cost $1.7 billion to change the existing plant over, which is not feasible today.
He also said the divide in state politics is no longer so clearly between Democrats and Republicans, but is more often now between urban and rural interests, with the metro faction often having more to say about distribution of resources.
He also invited the board and audience to attend the Township Day programs in St. Paul March 4.
