HRDC development strategy for County accepted by Commissioners

 

The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners met on December 13, 2016 for the regular meeting and the Truth in Taxation meeting to follow.

Headwaters Regional Development Commission (HRDC) Director, Ryan Zemek, was present at the meeting to bring the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy to the attention of the Commissioners, which is required by the Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) every five years. 

“This Strategy is meant to serve as a planning tool which will guide the Region in its Economic Development activities in the coming years,” stated the letter sent to the Board of  Commissioners. We spent several months gathering pertinent data and also met with a series of key businesses, lenders, loan administrators, economic developers and others to gather information.” 

This information was used to develop the regional vision, goals and objectives for the Strategy. The region includes Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen Counties. 

The goal of the strategy is the growing of business and jobs in the communities using resources that will help people stay, live and work in the region. 

“The data shows that in Clearwater County there was a significant decline in business in the past number of years, and has lost 293 businesses. We found that the jobs available don't pay as much as needed to stay; and there are some housing constraints,” Mr. Zemek said. 

He said they recommend increasing business in the next couple of years; increase the number of individuals with Associate and College or Technical Certificates by 2025; and look at how to make the community more welcome and inviting. 

“How to sell our region better, and encourage some to come back here to raise their families. Get people 'hooked' on the life up here,” he said.

 The Commissioners approved the resolution brought from the HRDC which says in part that Clearwater County is recognized by the EDA as a redevelopment area with special needs for economic development assistance, and that Clearwater County Board of Commissioners actively supports and currently participates in the economic development district activities of the HRDC, approves the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy as submitted on December 13, 2016.

Levy: The Levy for County purposes was approved to be spread on taxable valuation of Clearwater County for taxes payable in the year 2017. The Gross Levy is $7,509,305; and the Net Levy Base is $6,846,207; which reflects a 2.89% increase. 

The Levy was adopted and is to be submitted to the State of Minnesota.

The Fiscal Year 2017 Budget was approved by the Board with Total General Government expenditures shown in the amount of $2,607,960, and revenues shown in the amount of $281,380. 

The Board approved the 2015 Financial Statement for publication. 

County Attorney Richard Mollin brought motions for 2% increase to the union and department head employees; and 2%  to the elected officials Richard Mollin, Darin Halverson, Brenda Knable, and Allen Paulson effective Jan. 1, 2017, which were approved by the Board. 

The Collective Bargaining Agreement between Clearwater County and Minnesota Nurses Association Home Health Care Registered Nurses was approved and signed, with salary schedule increases of 2% for 2016, 2017, and 2018. 

The Labor Agreement between the Clearwater County and the Sheriff's Office and Minnesota Teamster Public and Law Enforcement Employees' Union, Local No 320 was approved and signed, with salary schedule increases of 2% for 2016, 2017, and 2018. 

A motion was approved for the 2017 salary for the Commissioners to remain the same as 2016, which is $20,742 annually. 

County Land Commissioner Bruce Cox received approval for the proposed Forfeited Tax Sale Fund Budget for the fiscal year 2017. Total revenues are shown as $423,600 and total expenditures are shown as $659,846. 

Due to some repairs needed, a motion was made and passed to approve payment of Pickett Auto Service repair bill of $2,723.

County Engineer, Dan Sauvé received approval for payment of County Highway Department bills in the amount of $23,708 as presented. 

County Auditor-Treasurer Allen Paulson received authorization to pay the submitted invoices of $156,932  from the County Revenue Fund, and $11,914 from Nursing Service. 

Liquor license applications were approved for Knutson's Store, Sportsman's Lodge, Lobo's Bar & Grill, and Fireside Grill. 

Solid Waste Management Fiscal Year 2017 Budget was approved, with a total operating revenue of $1,410,746. The 2017 Ditch Budget was also approved, with total disbursement activity of $75,761.

Truth In Taxation: The regular meeting was adjourned, and the Truth In Taxation Meeting was conducted by Auditor-Treasurer Al Paulson. There were several Clearwater County citizens present who presented questions about their tax increases in the northern part of Clearwater County on agricultural land; one person wanted to know who determines the value for parcels of land, and why a very small parcel is taxed at a much greater rate than a larger parcel. 

Assessor Jamie Freeman explained that because of “low sales ratios” or what are considered “bad sales” tax adjustments must be made. 

“The State required an additional 10% increase of tax on tillable agricultural land,” she said. “The Assessor's Office sets the value for each parcel. It is all based on the market value. It must be taxed between 90 – 105% of sales price.”

“It changes with the size of the parcel, and also the classification may change.”

Commissioners present at the meeting were Daniel Stenseng, Dean Newland, John Nelson, Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson.