Thursday, December 6, 2012

Volume 97; Number 24

www.bladepublishing.net

A community newspaper serving Browerville, MN and surrounding areas. USPS 067-560

Todd County sued by hog farm opponents

for the facility. The CUP was made controversial by a group of residents of Leslie Township in southwestern Todd County who opposed the facility because they believed the hog farm would produce significant odor, pose a danger to water quality, and reduce the market values of their residential properties. The application to operate the hog facility was brought before the Todd County Planning Commission on Sept. 6. After extensive discussion and testimony from the public, the Planning Commission voted 3 to 2 to recommend approval of the application with ten conditions, contingent upon the outcome of the Citizens Board of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency investigation of the Gourley Brothers Continued on page 16

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Todd County in good financial shape, administrator shows

By Rin Porter On Nov. 28, County Attorney Chuck Rasmussen and County Administrator Nate Burkett were notified that a civil lawsuit would be filed against the county, its Planning Commission, and three county commissioners by a group of people opposed to the Gourley Brothers hog farrowing facility proposed for Leslie Township. The county board voted 3 to 2 on Nov. 6 to approve a Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

Warm December evening for Browervilles Old Fashioned Cristmas

According to Todd County Administrator Nathan Burkett, the county is in good financial shape, and prudent management by commissioners and county staff has erased the multi-million dollar deficit the county faced just a few years ago. By Rin Porter At the annual Todd County budget and tax levy informational meeting, held Nov. 27 at 6 PM at the Historic Courthouse, county administrator Nate Burkett provided county residents with information on the countys fiscal situation. According to Burkett, the county is in good financial shape, and prudent management by commissioners and county staff has erased the multi-million dollar deficit the county faced just a few years ago. Burkett gave a brief powerpoint presentation with relevant statistics showing revenues, expenditures, and budgeted amounts for 2012 and 2013. He distributed printed material giving the same information so citizens could take it home if they wished. The presentation is available online at the countys website, for people who were unable to attend the meeting. (www.co.todd.mn.us) The county expects to receive about $28 million in revenues in 2013, and to spend about $28 million. This budget amount is a whopping $9 million less than the budget and expenditures for 2012. In 2012, revenues were $37 million, and expenses were $37 million, with a projected surplus of $230,000 left on Dec. 31, 2012. The large reduction in expenses and revenues is due to the ending of major federally-funded grants the county received. The reduced county expenses are due to a drop in employees, from 208 full-time employees in 2008, to 180 full-time employees for 2013, a 14.5% reduction in staffing. Since salaries are the largest cost the county faces, the staff reduction accounts for a great part of the reduction in annual costs. Burkett wrote in his report, The County is committed to increasing our ability to keep our roads in good condition. The County reduced expenditures or raised revenues from other sources by approximately $420,000 by consolidating departments or redesigning services. The county levy that determines local county property taxes remains the same. There was no increase for 2012 pay 2013: $12,069,831. However, some property owners may see increases or decreases in their total 2013 property tax amounts due to changes in levies by townships, school districts, and other government entities. Because the Minnesota Legislature ended the Homestead Credit for residential property, the countys tax capacity dropped by 8.9% this year. This means that the same number of property owners have to pay more for the county just to stay even. Most of that burden of paying more will fall on the category called other types of property, not on residential, commercial, recreational, or ag land categories, Burkett said. Unfortunately, only about 20 citizens attended, along with 10 department heads and all five commissioners. This reporter was the only media representative present. As happens every year, a few people mistakenly thought the meeting was about property taxes. County Assessor Chuck Pelzer agreed to meet with several people who had driven many miles to attend the meeting, thinking they could ask questions about the assessed valuation of their property. They got together after the meeting was over. After Burketts presentation, board chair Commissioner Gerry Ruda opened the public hearing to receive comments on the countys proposed budget and levy. Only two people spoke. One person expressed his concern about changing land values, and said he wanted to bring that to the boards attention. The other person asked how close the county was to being in line with its 2012 budget, and whether the budget would be folContinued on page 16

Hay ride participants were met with an unusually warm December winter During Browervilles Old Fashioned Christmas held on December 2nd at the Browerville Community Center. In addition to hay rides to view the lights around the lights, there were refreshments served, and the opportunity for youngsters to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Additional photos on back page.

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT

Tue. Nov. 27 Partly Cloudy 29/18 Wed. Nov. 28 Partly Cloudy 34/33 Thur. Nov. 29 Cloudy 36/23 Fri. Nov. 30 Partly Cloudy 30/19 Sat. Dec. 1 Snow Showers 26/23 Sun. Dec. 2 Partly Cloudy 29/17