RLC Budget for 2020 approved

On December 24, 2019, the Red Lake County Commissioners met at 10:00 a.m. All member were present: John Dudycha, Al Remick, Ron Weiss, Chuck Simpson and Anthony Flage.

The agenda was approved with one addition to the agenda regarding the Huot Park grant with a motion by Simpson, seconded by Dudycha, carried.

Employees of Red Lake County were recognized for their years of service. They were Steve Hauert, Kari Moyer, and John Burthwick.

County Engineer Eric Hove was not able to attend the meeting but had left his report and a motion to be made regarding the TAP Resolution for the City of Red Lake Falls project. This action makes the County the fiscal agent, meaning that the county handles the money for the City for this project. There is no money involved from the county. The motion was made by Flage, seconded by Remick to approve the TAP Resolution. Carried.

Expenditures were looked at by the board and were approved to be paid with a motion by Simpson, seconded by Dudycha, roll call vote, carried. A separate bill for the Huot Park was presented for payment. Flage made the motion, seconded Dudycha, carried.

Commissioners Reports were given by Flage for the Inter County Nursing Service meeting reporting that everything is going well, and the new director is pleased. Inter County Nursing Service recently had a Medicare audit, and all was fine. 

Remick attended a Northwest Mental Health event on December 14th, inviting farmers to come have coffee and share their thoughts about the farming economy and issues facing farmers today. The main subject was price of crops. 

Remick also reported that he had attended an RLC Soil, Water & Conservation District meeting that mostly dealt with the closing up of the end of the year.

Weiss had attended a One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) meeting. They discussed all the projects that have been completed and paid all the year’s expenses. Weiss also attended a Tri County Correction meeting reporting that there was only one in jail from Red Lake County, the contract was discussed and a new kiosk was contracted for, so probationers can come and take their breathalyzer tests in Crookston for a cost of $3 per use. The bills were approved for payment and the employees have started a union.

The minutes were approved with a change to be made referring to a incorrect location.

The Huot Grant was discussed. There is a grant available for Huot Park to be completed and sent in soon. This grant will cover the cost of new signage and a handicapped accessible area. Weiss will meet with contractor to get required quotes. A motion was made by Flage, seconded by Remick, to have Weiss to be person from the board to sign and submit the grant for Red Lake County. Carried.

An update on the MNLARS monies was given by Angie Lundeen. Originally, the Treasurer’s office had asked if the extra money given to the county by the state for MNLARS could be a bonus for the employees working in that office. Which didn’t happen. The Treasurer’s office now asked if the monies could be used for the Treasurer’s budget. A motion by Dudycha, seconded by Flage, that the monies do not go to that office’s budget was made, carried.

The final budget was approved by the Commissioners as follows:

Approve that the following county levies be adopted and ordered certified to the County Auditor for collection in 2020 as follows with motion by Flage, seconded by Simpson, carried.

Revenue: 2,435,748.00

Road and Bridge: 662,500.00

Welfare: 412,030.00

     Total 3,510,278.00

Less State Tax Aids 464,602.00

Net Certified Levy 3,045,676.00

Approve the 2020 county budget as follows with a motion by Remick, seconded by Simpson, carried.

Revenue: 3,716,608.00

Road and Bridge: 7,580,100.00

Welfare: 1,599,778.00

     Total 12,896,486.00

Approve the designated cash flow for 2020 in the following amounts with a motion by Flage, seconded by Dudycha, carried.

Revenue: 1,486,643.00

Road and Bridge: 3,032,040.00

Welfare: 639,911.00

     Total 5,518,594.00

A motion was made by Remick and seconded by Dudycha to approve the 2020 salary grade table reflecting a 2.5% COLA (Cost of Living) increase for employees.

A motion to approve of the Elected Official Salaries for 2020 as follows:

Commissioners $17,825.00 each

Attorney $96,647.20

Auditor $70,428.00

Recorder $64,833.60

Treasurer $63,669.80

Sheriff $82,680.00

All other salaries and benefits are as approved per individual department budgets. The motion also included to establish the 2020 County Commissioners per diem rate at $80.00 per day for assigned committee meetings attended.