BENSON -- The Swift County Board directed the county administrator and auditor to review the budget cost reduction scenarios presented by department heads at the regular Tuesday meeting.
County administrator John Chattin and auditor Byron Giese will review the budget information and make a recommendation to the board within 30 days, according to Chattin. In September, as part of the county's budgeting process, the board instructed the department heads to prepare and present budget scenarios representing cost reductions of 2 percent, 5 percent and 10 percent.
The county is facing a potential budget deficit of as much as $1,469,231 without figuring in increased property taxes or cost reductions. The board approved a preliminary property tax levy of $6,494,486, which is a 12 percent or $602,474 increase. The annual budget for the county is about $14 million.
In other business, the board:
- Discussed the county administrator position, which Chattin will vacate on Nov. 3 to become the city manager for Bemidji.
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No action was taken on the administrator position, but the board has directed the county auditor to cover the necessary tasks from the administrator's duties.
- Accepted the resignation of Sue Pirsig, county Rural Development Authority director. Pirsig has accepted a position with the city of Jackson.
- Received a budget request of $50,000 for 2007 from the Soil and Water Conservation District.
- Approved the previously tabled resolution supporting local ownership of wind power generation. The board changed the resolution to increase the allotment for local wind power from 60 megawatts to 120 megawatts.
- Instructed Ron Vadnais, county treasurer, to research the cost and installation of automatic door openers for the doors at the courthouse. Vadnais is confined to a wheelchair after a motorcycle accident and approached the council with concerns regarding the handicapped accessibility of the courthouse.
