Commissioners discuss levy, town hall meetings set

During a meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Aug. 15, budget discussion was again a lengthy talking point as the board aims to set a preliminary levy by Sept. 19.

As reported to the county board on Tuesday, the budget committee has suggested for three year subsequent increases of 15, 14 and 13 percent increases on the levy over the next three years as one option to maintain services the county provides at their current level. Another option could be increases of 19.9, 13.9 and 8.9 percent.

Board Chair Jan Sivertson said both of these scenarios would maintain county services at their current level. Any further reduction on the levy would mean a reduction on services the county offers.

There will be a series of 2018 Budget Public Town Hall Meetings throughout Cook County in the coming weeks, starting with a Middle Gunflint Trail meeting on Wednesday, Aug .30 at 7 p.m.

Other meetings include:
West End – Thursday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m.
East End – Thursday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m.
Financial Management Plan Public Meeting in Grand Marais – Monday, Sept. 11, 6 p.m.
Grand Marais – Monday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m.
*Specific locations will be published once facilities are confirmed.

There will also be a community conversation on the 2018 budget and levy on WTIP on Thursday, Aug. 24 from 7-8 p.m. Included in the conversation will be Commissioners Ginny Storlie and Heidi Doo-Kirk, along with Administrator Cadwell and Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers.

A final budget for 2018 for Cook County will be completed in December.