The Douglas County Board of Commissioners approved the 2024 county budget and levy at its November 30 budget hearing. This meeting was preceded by a regular county board meeting.
The county budget for 2024 will be $68.786 million. As Finance Director Jill Frisell explained, the funds will be used to pay for roads, public safety, human services, general government, health, economic development, and other expenses.
While property taxes make up half the county revenue, there are other sources that include: federal and state grants and aid, transportation sales tax, charges and fees. The levy is a 6.16% increase over 2022.
Board chair Charlie Meyer asked for public comment during the meeting, but none was offered.
The board also approved the budgets of the four elected offices in Douglas County. Those are the county attorney, auditor/treasurer, recorder, and sheriff.
Auditor/Treasurer Vicki Doehling began the meeting by reminding attendees the meeting was not for discussion on individual property tax questions. Assessor Stacy Honkomp was available to meet with individuals at a separate table outside the meeting room. She met with more than 10 people who had questions about their property taxes.
One of the key aspects of the presentation came from Auditor/Treasurer Doehling who shared there are many reasons a person’s property tax will go up or down. Market value is a strong indicator along with state, city, township or school district budgets or levies as well as special assessments. The county is only one part of the property tax bill.
County Board Meeting
The board meeting began with the approval of Ellen Kappmeyer to the Library Board starting January 2024. Kappmeyer has been an active member of the volunteer Library Steering Committee and is an avid library patron.
Chair Meyer also asked Ann Carrott to stand and be recognized for her years of service on the library board. Carrott served as vice president of the board. Carrott also served Douglas County residents as a district court judge and prior to that as county attorney.
Public Works
Public Works Director Tim Erickson asked for and was given permission to sell surplus equipment and the county, through resolutions, supported four local road improvement projects. Commissioners also approved a petition by a private landowner to use Douglas County Ditch #10 as an outlet for drainage. That request includes a $710 fee and a drainage benefit of $120.
Land and Resource Management
After an extensive review of details and discussion, commissioners approved a request to rezone a property in Carlos Township from commercial to industrial. The rezoning was necessary to accommodate the purchase of the 12-acre auto salvage yard property near what is commonly referred to as Carlos Corners off Highway 29 and County State Aid Highway 13. A company called CW Metals says it intends to purchase the property, greatly reduce the number of old vehicles, and operate what it calls a metals recycling collection and transfer facility.
Land and Resource Management Director Dave Rush summarized the process by which the Douglas County Planning and Advisory Commission recommended approval of the project. He said there was testimony at the public hearing from a number of people who live in the area. They were very concerned about the fact this business is next to a residential area and their belief this is a conflicting use of adjacent properties. Rush said the Planning and Advisory Commission believes the new owners will be good neighbors and will reduce the number of vehicles from approximately 1,200 to 100 or fewer at a time and will provide a buffer zone and fencing.
The Conditional Use Permit requires CW Metals to meet MPCA guidelines regarding removal of fuel, motor oil and transmission fluid, brake fluid, and antifreeze. Tires shall be removed to an approved disposal site regularly and, if more than 100 tires are stored on site, a tire management plan must be completed and submitted to Land and Resource Management. The facility will not be allowed to crush, shred, or melt metals or recyclable items. They are only allowed to collect, store, sort, bail, load, and transport. The permit allows the facility to operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Trucks and heavy equipment with back-up alarms will not be allowed to operate after 5 p.m.
The facility will be open to the public and businesses. It will accept waste metal from manufacturing facilities and household metal waste such as white-goods and aluminum cans. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Conditional Use Permit for the project to move forward.
The next county board meeting will be December 19 at the Douglas County Administration Building 821 Cedar Street, Alexandria.