Wadena County Commissioners: Preliminary levy approved—4.91% increase is not final
by Trinity Gruenberg
The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on September 13.
Preliminary Levy and Budget
Heather Olson, auditor/treasurer, worked with the departments on their budgets. When they started they were at a six percent increase, which was not acceptable to her and they went back to the drawing board. Insurance figures won’t be received until the end of the month which is a large cost to the county. A seven percent increase was factored in for health insurance. Allocations for the Humane Society, Ag Society and the Kitchigami Regional Library will not increase as the county does not have the funds.
The county is sitting at a 4.91 increase which is not final.
The board was concerned about a 10 percent increase in health insurance as that is what Todd County had. The plan is set up so the county pays five percent and the employees pay the other five percent.
Health and Human Services asked for their $150,000 from last year and $300,000 this year, both from the special allocation from state legislatures. Commissioner Murlyn Kreklau felt he has not had enough time on this and would like more input on this before moving to the final budget. Commissioner Bill Stearns would like to go through the budget line by line.
The general fund is around $31 million. The county’s budget is around $28 million. Grants, state aid and federal funds contribute to it. . .
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