HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Budget and Levy Public Meeting Minutes - 12/03/2024Budget and Levy Public Hearing
Otter Tail County Government Services Center
Otter Tail County Commissioners’ Room
6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Kurt Mortenson, Chair convened the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of
holding the required public hearing to review and discuss the proposed budget and levy for calendar year 2025.
The following Commissioners and other county leadership were introduced:
Commissioners -
Wayne Johnson, Chair – Second District
Kurt Mortenson, Vice Chair – Third District
Dan Bucholz – First District
Robert (Bob) Lahman – Fourth District
Leland (Lee) Rogness – Fifth District
Sean Sullivan - Commissioner Elect – Fifth District
Other County Staff -
County Administrator Nicole Hansen
Deputy Administrator Nick Leonard
Deputy Administrator Lynne Penke Valdes
County Assessor Heather Jacobson
Highway Engineer Krysten Foster
Human Services Director Deb Sjostrom
Human Services Supervisor Michelle Fischer
Human Services Assistant Director Jessica Steinbrenner
Deputy Auditor Samantha Meyeraan
Assistant Finance Director/Chief Deputy Auditor Kris Vipond
County Auditor-Treasurer Wayne Stein
There were three members of the public in attendance. One left prior to the start of the meeting as his concern
centered on valuation of his specific property. The other member of the public that were in attendance for the
meeting were the following”
1. Marcia Huddleston
2. Connie Tarasek
Note – the proposed statements were mailed later than usual, which likely contributed to the small public participation.
Wayne Stein proceeded to overview the prepared budget and levy materials noting the following information:
1. the purpose of the meeting,
2. the County’s overall tax base (taxable market value and net tax capacity),
3. the major budget and levy areas,
4. the number of different issues considered when developing the overall budget and when determining the
amount of the property tax levy,
5. the County’s final pay 2024 levy and the proposed levy for pay 2025,
6. a review of the tax rates based on the final and proposed levies and their impact,
7. the proposed levies per major fund area were noted,
8. the County’s long term debt position,
9. and the major sources of revenues available to the County and the major areas where funds are expended
were noted graphically; and
10. the remaining process and issues that will be considered before the final budget and levy is adopted.
The proposed net property tax levy for Pay 2025, including the levy for the Otter Tail County Housing and
Redevelopment Authority, the Otter Tail County Community Development Association, and the various lake
improvement districts, is $55,545,212 which is 3.97% increase over the final net property tax levy for Pay 2024.
The proposed levy will support an overall budget of approximately $145 million.
The following items are being noted for the records as it relates to the County’s budget process:
1. Considerable time was spent by staff preparing the proposed budget.
2. The Commissioners met with internal department and external agencies to review budgetary request.
3. The Commissioners take development of the overall budget seriously.
4. The Commissioners use a responsible approach to the development of the budget.
5. The leadership and staff should be complimented for using constraint when developing their
team/departmental budgets and for taking the time to carefully review their budgetary needs.
6. The importance of a growing tax base.
At this time, Kurt Mortenson, Chair, opened the meeting to the public for questions and comments concerning the
County’s proposed 2025 budget and proposed payable 2025 gross and net levy. Marcia Huddleston addressed the
Commissioners. The following is a summary of the comments/questions that were shared:
1. The number of current employees compared to previous years.
2. Law Enforcement and Detention needs.
3. The work accomplished by various departments.
4. Perhaps the County needs a CEO aka Chief Efficiency Officer to identify waste and where funds could be
saved.
It was noted that no emails and/or letters had been received prior to this evening public hearing. The Otter Tail
County Board of Commissioners will take official action to adopt the final 2025 Budget and Levy at 10:30 a.m. on
Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
Kurt Mortenson, Chair, asked if there was anyone else that wanted to address the Board of Commissioners with
questions and/or comments regarding the proposed calendar year 2025 budget and the proposed 2025 net tax levy.
Hearing no other public comments, questions or concerns, Commissioner Mortenson, Chair, thanked those in
attendance for their participation and then declared the Otter Tail County Levy and Budget hearing adjourned at
6:40 p.m.
Prepared by
Wayne Stein, County Auditor-Treasurer