pine county board meeting

ADDITIONS/REVISIONS/CORRECTIONS Regular Meeting

September 21, 2021

ADDITIONS:

1. Consent Agenda Item 3.1: Pine County Commissioners’ Expense Claim Forms

Addition: Consider approval of Commissioners’ August Expense Claim Forms

2. Consent Agenda Item 4.1: Appointment of Veterans Services Officer

Acknowledge the previous appointment of Mindy Sandell as a Pine County Veteran Services Officer (VSO)

and acknowledge and affirm VSO Mindy Sandell as the point of contact for the Minnesota Department of

Veterans Affairs.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. Regular Agenda Item 7: 2022 Budget Discussion

Preliminary Levy information and 2022 Levy Impact Comparison Spreadsheet

AGENDA REQUEST FORM

Date of Meeting: September 21, 2021

County Board Consent Agenda

Regular Agenda 5 mins. ___ 10 mins.___ 15 mins.___ Other___

Personnel Committee

Agenda Item: 2022 Preliminary Levy

Department: Administration

_____________________________________

Department Head signature

Background information on Item:

The county board must adopt a preliminary property tax levy by September 30. Once adopted, the

preliminary levy can be reduced, but cannot be increased. The preliminary levy is used to prepare the

Truth in Taxation notices sent to property owners.

Going into the September 14 county board meeting, the budget was out of balance by about $1.4

million. Adjustments to the budget were outlined at the meeting which would get the budget to balance

with a 4 percent levy increase. These adjustments have now been made in the preliminary budget.

During the discussion, commissioners expressed a preference for a smaller increase—closer to 3.6

percent. Reducing the levy increase from 4 percent to 3.6 percent requires approximately $80,000 of

additional adjustments.

Public health has received increased state funding due to the pandemic. Therefore, the levy to HHS can

be reduced by $79,740. This adjustment would allow the county to reduce the increase in the levy from

4% to 3.6% which would reduce the tax capacity rate from 63% to 60%. The attached levy impact

spreadsheet has been updated to add an estimate for a 3.6% increase.

A 3.6% increase to the levy results in an additional $717,661 of property tax levy and results in a total

levy amount of $20,652,675.

The budget can be balanced with a 3.6% increase in the levy with targeted use of reserve funds as show

below:

Description Amount

Court Security $85,376 (unspent 2021 funds)

PT Veterans Service Officer $35,931 (unspent 2021 funds)

HHS Rent (1/2 of lost payment) $22,000

Vehicle Purchases $100,000

Total Planned Reserve Spending $238,655

This proposed budget results in the distribution of the levy to the various funds as:

Fund Preliminary Levy Change from 2021 % Change from 2021

Revenue $12,037,814 $706,373 6.2%

Health & Human Ser. $3,903,474 $-79,740 -2.0%

Highway $2,054,821 $75,000 3.8%

Building Fund $25,000 $0 0.0%

Debt Service $2,514,536 $1,232 0.0%

Technology Equipment $25,000 $0 0.0%

Election $92,000 $14,766 19.1%

Total $20,652,675 $717,661 3.6%

Risks to the 2022 Budget

• Use of reserves

• Use of one-time funding (ARPA / CARES Act)

• Reduction in HHS levy

The county board does not need to adopt the 2022 budget or indicate the distribution of the levy to the

various funds until December. However, since the levy cannot be increased after the preliminary levy is

adopted, commissioners should have a comfort level with the proposed preliminary budget.

Action Requested:

Approve 2022 preliminary property tax levy

2022 LEVY COMPARISON

2021 Levy $19,935,014

2021 Tax Rate 63.032% 2022

2021 County 0% Levy 1% Levy 2% Levy 3% Levy 3.60% 4% Levy 5% Levy Tax Capacity

2021 TMV 2022 TMV TMV +/- Class Share Increase Increase Increase Increase Increase Increase Increase

Proposed Levy 19,935,014 20,134,364 20,333,714 20,533,064 20,652,675 20,732,415 20,931,765

Proposed $ Increase 0 199,350 398,700 598,050 717,661 797,401 996,751

Proposed Tax Rate 57.916% 58.495% 59.075% 59.654% 60.001% 60.233% 60.812%

Hallan 26.0569.000 474,600 520,700 46,100 Ag-Hstd 2,459 52 77 102 127 142 152 177 4,335

26.0522.004 89,900 101,500 11,600 Ag-Hstd 283 11 14 17 20 22 23 26 508

Mohr 18.5111.000 146,200 166,900 20,700 Res-Hstd 922 45 54 64 74 79 83 93 1,669

42.5461.000 178,300 182,800 4,500 Comm'l 1,776 -93 -76 -59 -42 -32 -26 -9 2,906

Lovgren 15.0254.000 76,400 92,700 16,300 Ag-Hstd 480 57 62 68 73 76 78 84 927

15.0254.001 116,500 113,900 (2,600) Ag-Hstd 367 -37 -34 -30 -27 -25 -24 -20 570

Ludwig 30.0595.000 172,700 194,500 21,800 Res-Hstd 1,088 38 50 61 72 79 84 95 1,945

Walhalm 46.5106.000 328,600 355,400 26,800 Res-Hstd 2,063 -5 16 37 57 69 78 98 3,554

46.5101.000 6,200 6,200 0 Res-Hstd 39 -3 -3 -2 -2 -2 -2 -1 62

46.5103.000 16,600 16,600 0 Res-Hstd 105 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -5 -4 166

46.5211.000 396,900 400,200 3,300 Comm'l 3,732 -336 -302 -268 -234 -214 -200 -166 5,864

Chris'-Sandstone 45.5626.000 1,591,200 1,648,900 57,700 Comm'l 19,571 -906 -719 -532 -346 -234 -159 28 32,228

Daggett's-Hinckley 40.5107.000 773,000 778,000 5,000 Comm'l 9,268 -691 -605 -519 -433 -382 -348 -262 14,810

Sauser's-Pine City 42.5149.000 195,400 195,400 0 Comm'l 1,990 -161 -143 -124 -106 -95 -88 -70 3,158

Doran 42.5555.000 99,800 112,000 12,200 Res-Hstd 629 20 26 33 39 43 46 52 1,120

Christopher Hallan 26.0190.002 300,700 325,400 24,700 Ag-Hstd 1,814 -4 14 32 50 61 68 86 3,125

Joe Smetana 26.0555.001 419,700 466,200 46,500 Ag-Hstd 1,904 67 87 106 126 138 146 165 3,403

Kevin Hinze 43.0269.001 250,400 264,600 14,200 Ag-Hstd 1,560 -48 -33 -18 -3 6 12 27 2,610

Walmart 42.6191.000 7,369,600 7,353,400 (16,200) Comm'l 92,370 -7,685 -6,838 -5,991 -5,144 -4,636 -4,297 -3,451 146,220

2022 Preliminary Total County NTC = $34,420,423

TAX DIFFERENCE BASED ON

AGENDA REQUEST FORM

Date of Meeting:________________________

County Board Consent Agenda

Regular Agenda 5 mins.___ 10 mins.___ 15 mins.___ Other___

Personnel Committee

Other _____________

Agenda Item:___________________________________________________________

Department: _____________________________________ Department Head signature

Background information on Item:

Action Requested:

Financial Impact:

Pine County Board of Commissioners Page 1 September 21, 2021

AGENDA

PINE COUNTY BOARD REGULAR MEETING

District 1 Commissioner Hallan

District 2 Commissioner Mohr

District 3 Commissioner Lovgren

District 4 Commissioner Waldhalm

District 5 Commissioner Ludwig

Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 10:00 a.m.

North Pine Government Center

1602 Hwy. 23 No.

Sandstone, Minnesota

Notice of Participation via Interactive Technology

Pine County Commissioner Matt Ludwig will be attending the Pine County Board of

Commissioners Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. via interactive

technology, pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.02.

• Commissioner Ludwig will be seen and heard at the meeting via

electronic means and will participate from Staybridge Suites, 2350

Commerce Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901, a location open and

accessible to the public.

The public is invited to join the meeting in person or remotely: by phone call 1-312-626-6799,

(Meeting ID): 913 8246 1935; (password): 5911400. Click the link on the county website

(www.co.pine.mn.us) for more information and to watch a live stream broadcast of the meeting.

A) Call meeting to order

B) Pledge of Allegiance

C) Public Forum. Members of the public are invited to speak. After being recognized by the

Chair, each speaker should state his/her name and limit comments to three (3) minutes.

D) Adopt Agenda

E) Approve Minutes

Minutes of September 7, 2021 County Board Meeting and Summary for publication

Minutes of the September 14, 2021 Special Meeting-Committee of the Whole

F) Minutes of Boards, Reports and Correspondence

Pine County Chemical Health Coalition Minutes – September 13, 2021

G) Approve Consent Items

http://www.co.pine.mn.us/


CONSENT AGENDA

The consent agenda is voted on without any discussion. Any commissioner may request an item be

removed and added to the regular agenda.

1. Review August, 2021 Cash Balance (attached)

Fund August 31, 2020 August 31, 2021 Increase/Decrease

General Fund 5,144,065 6,583,603 1,439,538

Health and Human

Services Fund

1,921,092 3,043,509 1,122,417

Road and Bridge

Fund

6,088,312 6,026,608 (61,704)

COVID Relief 3,392,681 2,841,310 (551,371)

Land Management

Fund

1,481,534 1,941,870 460,336

Self Insurance N/A 545,363 545,363

TOTAL (inc non-

major funds)

21,185,456 23,934,996 2,749,540

2. August 2021 Disbursements/Claims Over $2,000 (attached)

Consider approval of August 2021 disbursements including (1) the individual listing of claims

over $2,000 and (2) 415 claims under $2,000 totaling of $213,810.22.

3. Drone Aircraft Accounts

Consider approval of committing accounts 01-216-000-0000-5761 (Drone Donations), and 01-

216-000-0000-6862 (Drone Program Expense) to the purpose of the drone program.

4. Donation

A. Consider acceptance of a $1,000 donation from Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures to be

designated to the drone program.

5. 2022-2023 Victim Services Coordinator Grant

Consider approval of a two-year grant for a Victim Services Coordinator, effective October 1,

2021 through September 30, 2023. The county will receive a total of $140,000 which will be

used to cover payroll, taxes, fringe benefits, travel, training and indirect expenses. Authorize

Board Chair and County Administrator to sign.

6. Fiscal Year 2022-2026 SCORE Grant Agreement

Consider approval of the FY2022-2026 SCORE Grant Agreement with MPCA. Authorize

Board Chair and County Administrator to sign.

7. Determination of Need Applications Forms

Consider approval to sign Form DHS-4960A/Determination of Need Application to Expand Day

Services, and Form DHS-4960B/Determination of Need Application for Proprietary Changes,

Reductions and Closures. Authorize Board Chair and County Administrator to sign.

8. Personnel (Regular Employment Status / Promotion)

A. Consider approval of the lateral transfer of Social Worker Shelly Anderson from the child

protection unit to the aging and disabilities unit effective September 22, 2021. No change

in grade or pay.

B. Consider approval of the internal promotion of Case Aide Cassandra Olson to HHS Office


Manager effective September 22, 2021, non-union position, starting wage $25.00 per

hour, Grade 8.

C. Consider approval of regular employment status to Social Worker Jessica Brown,

effective November 18, 2021.

9. New Hire

A. Consider approval of the hiring of the following full-time deputy sheriffs, effective

October 4, 2021:

i. Jorge Jimenez, $28.75 per hour, Grade 10, Step 3, due to experience

ii. Mark Farand, $26.13 per hour, Grade 10, Step 1

iii. Abbey Sculley, $26.13 per hour, Grade 10, Step 1

B. Consider approval of the hiring of the following part-time correction officers, effective

September 22, 2021:

i. Brooklin Hooker, $21.34 per hour, Grade 7, Step 1

ii. Hunter Greicar, $21.34 per hour, Grade 7, Step 1

iii. Kali Finch, $21.34 per hour, Grade 7, Step 1

iv. Kristy Aronoff, $21.34 per hour, Grade 7, Step 1.

10. Training

A. Consider approval of Social Workers Heidi Burton and Angela Ripley to attend the St.

Louis County Health and Human Services Conference, October 13-15, 2021, Duluth.

Registration: $75/person; Meals: $36/person; Travel/mileage: $74. Total expenses for

both to attend the conference: $296

REGULAR 1. Personnel Committee Report (Minutes Attached)

The Personnel Committee met September 13, 2021. The Personnel Committee made the

following recommendations:

A. Health and Human Services

i. Acknowledge the resignation of Social Worker Sarah Manor, effective September

3, 2021, and approve backfill of the position and any subsequent vacancies that

may occur due to internal promotion or lateral transfer.

B. Sheriff’s Office

i. Recommend the approval of filling the fourth Sergeant position on a “hire ahead”

basis and approve backfill of any subsequent vacancies that may occur due to

internal promotion or lateral transfer. Any internal promotion would be contingent

upon return to original position if Sergeant on leave returns to Pine County.

C. Sheriff’s Office – Dispatch

i. Acknowledge the resignation of Dispatcher Gina Lindahl, effective August 20,

2021, and approve backfill of the position and any subsequent vacancies that may

occur due to internal promotion or lateral transfer.

D. Sheriff’s Office – Jail

i. Acknowledge the resignation of Jail Administrative Assistant Darnelle Van Hale,

effective September 8, 2021, and approve backfill of the position and any

subsequent vacancies that may occur due to internal promotion or lateral transfer.

ii. Acknowledge the resignation of Lead County Security Officer Steve Olson,

effective September 21, 2021, and approve backfill of the position and any

subsequent vacancies that may occur due to internal promotion or lateral transfer.

Recruitment will be considered at a later date based on need.


E. Veteran’s Services

i. Ratify the separation of Veterans Service Officer Benjamin Wiener, effective

September 3, 2021, and approve backfill of the position and any subsequent

vacancies that may occur due to internal promotion or lateral transfer.

2. Promotion (Action Authorized at Regular Agenda Item #1B above)

Consider approval to promote deputy sheriff Joe Workman to the position of Sergeant effective

September 26, 2021, $36.71 per hour, Grade 12, Step 6.

3. Establishment of Pine County Personnel Administration System

Consider approval of Resolution 2021-65, Establishment of merit System of Personnel

Administration and authorize Board Chair and County Administrator to sign.

4. Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Participation

Consider approval of Resolution 2021-64 to allow Pine County Probation to work

collaboratively with the Department of Corrections to commence a Juvenile Detention

Alternatives Initiative. Authorize Board Chair and County Administrator to sign.

5. 2020 Audit and Financial Statements

Consider formal acceptance of the 2020 Financial Statements and authorize summary for

publication.

6. Appointment of Housing and Redevelopment Authority Commissioner

A. Consider appointment of Steve Oswald as the District 4 representative to the Pine County

Housing and Redevelopment Authority to fill the remaining term, expiring October 4,

2022.

B. Consider appointment of Leaha Jackson as the District 5 representative to the Pine County

Housing and Redevelopment Authority to a 5-year term, October 5, 2021-October 4,

2026.

7. 2022 Budget Discussion

Consider preliminary levy.

8. Commissioner Updates

Soil & Water Conservation District

State and Local Officials Webinar/Vaccines and Variants

Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services

East Central Solid Waste Commission

East Central Regional Library Trustees Board

MN Rural Counties

Pine County Chemical Health Coalition

AMC Fall Policy Conference

Introducing Positive Norm: Reducing Mental Health Stigma

State Community Health Advisory Council

Negotiations Committee

Lakes & Pines Community Action Council

Other

9. Other


10. Upcoming Meetings (Subject to Change)—All meetings to be conducted remotely unless

otherwise indicated. Contact the organization hosting the meeting for call-in information.

a. Pine County Board of Commissioners, Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 10:00 a.m., North Pine

Government Center, 1602 Hwy. 23 No., Sandstone, Minnesota

b. Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe meeting, Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 1:00 p.m.

c. CANCELLED: NLX, Wednesday, September 22, 2021

d. Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 1:00 p.m.,

North Pine Government Center, 1602 Hwy. 23 No., Sandstone, Minnesota

e. Arrowhead Counties Association, Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 6:00 p.m., via Zoom,

and in person at the Hampton Inn, Canal Park, Duluth, Minnesota

f. Northeast Emergency Communications Board/Radio Advisory Committee, Pike Lake

Campus, 5735 Old Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, Minnesota

g. GPS 45:93 Annual Meeting, Friday, September 24, 2021, 10:30 a.m., Grand Casino-

Hinckley, Hinckley, Minnesota

h. Snake River Watershed Management Board, Monday, September 27, 2021, 9:00 a.m.,

Kanabec County Courthouse, 18 North Vine, Mora, Minnesota.

i. Snake River Watershed Policy Committee, Monday, September 27, 2021, 10:30 a.m.,

Kanabec County Courthouse, 18 North Vine, Mora, Minnesota.

j. Lower St. Croix Policy Committee, Monday, September 27, 2021, 4:00 p.m.

k. Blandin Foundation Kick-Off Meeting, Tuesday, September 28, 2021, 9:00 a.m.

l. Technology Committee, Tuesday, September 28, 2021, 9:00 a.m.

m. Lakes & Pines Community Action Council Annual Meeting, Friday, October 1, 2021, 4:30

p.m., Braham, Minnesota

n. Pine County Board of Commissioners, Tuesday, October 5, 2021, 10:00 a.m., Pine County

Courthouse, 635 Northridge Drive NW, Pine City, Minnesota

11. Adjourn

pine county board meeting

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