Board chair discusses local property taxes, 2018 levy

There was a meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Sept. 19. The following discussion and action items occurred during Tuesday’s meeting.
 
Sauna setback
Cook County’s Land Services Director Tim Nelson provided the commissioners an update on a situation facing the county and local property owner Doug Linder. Nelson presented what was essentially a settlement agreement. The situation between Linder and the county dates back to a land-use issue and how close Linder planned to build a sauna in proximity to a Cook County shoreline. According to the county, Linder did not obtain and submit the required paperwork necessary to set up a sauna on his property. Nelson said the structure would have been built in non-conformance with county policy.

Nelson provided the county board an update on litigation involved with this issue, which essentially allows both parties to start from the beginning and provides Linder a chance to submit the required paperwork. 
 
New vehicle for Land Services
In more news from the Land Services Department, Cook County Maintenance Director Brian Silence appeared before the county board and made a request for a new automobile to be used primarily for the Land Services Department. Silence requested a new 2017 Ford Escape to be purchased from a car dealership in Two Harbors at the expense of $25,874.

After discussion about how much the county spends on its vehicles, how frequently and who drives them, as well as a report on the existing vehicles the county owns, the board voted to approve purchasing the Ford Escape for more than $25,000.

Silence also gave an update to the commissioners about the county’s vehicle inventory. The county currently has 15 vehicles that are used by staff for travel, work-related tasks and other county business. The county typically keeps the vehicles it owns until they reach 120,000 miles or become problematic with regard to maintenance issues.
 
Rena Rodgers
The county’s Communication Director Rena Rogers discussed various radio, phone and other use of antenna towers in Cook County. Rogers discussed the use of a number of towers in the county and what businesses or organizations have rights to use them. After discussing several towers, including one in Hovland and another on Old Ski Hill Road, Board Chair Jan Sivertson said it is likely time the county reviewed its tower policy and rates. 

Rogers also spoke about the Cook County Strategic Plan framework for the communications department. This is a vision for how the communications department will work and best serve the community and people of Cook County.

Commissioner Heidi Doo-Kirk praised the efforts of the county and communications department in coming together to make this vision come to fruition.

In other news from the communications team, Rogers said the county would like to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to complete an aerial survey of local land and property in Cook County. The agreement would start a study that produces imagery showing the fronts and sides of buildings and locations on the ground.

The Forest Service would pay for half of the costs, approximately $124,000, to conduct this aerial survey. County Administrator Jeff Cadwell said the county would likely bond for funds to cover their share of the land and property survey. The county would likely pay an equal share for the study, or approximately $124,000.
 
Pike Lake Road update
County Administrator Cadwell said the county is scheduling an open house with the design firm for County Road 45, also known as Pike Lake Road. The meeting will take place Oct. 10 from 5-7 p.m. at the Cook County Courthouse in the commissioners’ room. WTIP will be providing more information on this open house in the coming days and weeks. As reported, one option for the redesign of Pike Lake Road is to pave the roadway. All Cook County residents and particularly those who live on or near Pike Lake Road are invited to attend the open house on Oct. 10.
 
Budget
Turning to the 2018 budget and levy, the commissioners voted to set a preliminary, or maximum levy for 2018.

The preliminary levy was set at 19.9 percent.

Prior to the vote, the EDA provided an update on their budget request for 2018. The EDA’s request is down for 2018 compared to other years, and includes a variety of different funding requests. The Commissioners voted 3-2 to support the EDA budget for 2018.

Following the EDA discussion, County Administrator Jeff Cadwell provided an update to the county board about the budget and levy process. The Board discussed funding the public library in Grand Marais, and how health insurance costs for the library led to an increase in their funding request this year. After agreeing to support the library’s full request, the board discussed, at length, the 2018 levy and overall budget.

To hear more about Tuesday’s meeting of the commissioners and the 19.9 percent preliminary levy that was set on Tuesday, listen below for an interview with WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs and Board Chair Jan Sivertson.