Fair Board ‘cautioned’ to create a ‘balanced budget’
Last year’s Lyon County Fair was a huge success, producing a positive income over $19,000. Now, as planning for the 2018 fair continues, the Lyon County Board has assessed the County Fair Board budget for the upcoming fair and found it to be a little heavy on the expense side.
“It has be a balanced budget,” said Commissioner Rick Anderson. “I agree with Commissioner (Charlie) Sanow that it needs to be a little bit better,” he added.
The fair board has set potential income at $167,000 with $19,000 currently on hand. They budgeted to spend $173,585, compared to expenses of $138,777 in 2017.
The county board expressed concern over increased advertising budgets and increases in entertainment expenses.
“We just want them to be cautious,” Commissioner Anderson added. Commissioner Crowley cautioned fair board members to make sure, if any major changes are made, that the FULL board has been advised about the changes.
“I don’t think we have the authority to change the budget, we just want them to be more cautious,” said Commissioner Anderson.
“Be very conscious of a balanced budget,” Commissioner Sanow added.
IN OTHER action the board:
•Hired Carlotta Navarette as the new Assistant County Attorney. The salary range is from $57,811 to $80,936. The starting salary was set at $58,000.
Navarette will begin her new duties on Feb. 12. The county attorney is Rick Maes.
•Approved a resolution to allow Archery Turkey Hunting only at Garvin Park. “This approach is intended to prevent the park from closing to public recreation while still allowing public hunting,” said Roger Schroeder, Public Works Director.
He said seven to 12 hunters register for the hunting season at Garvin Park. The season runs from April 18 to May 1. Hunters must possess a Minnesota DNR license and Garvin Park Hunting Permit.
•Approved a resolution to participate in the Plum Creek Library System. Several area counties participate, allowing access to shared materials and resources; purchasing of digital and other materials and to share collections of programming and other services.
•Voted to raise camping fees at county sites to $20 per night for standard sites. Currently the fee has been $15 per night. For primitive sites, a fee of $5 per night was set by the county board.
•Approved a resolution authorizing sponsorship of off-highway vehicle trails for a public riding area. The county will submit an application to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Grant-in-Aid program for ATV trail assistance to aid the Lyon County Snowmobile Club, the Southwest Ridge Runners. Lyon County will act as the sponsoring agent for the program.
•Ordered a fee appraisal for the old K-Mart building in Marshall for the tax court. The cost will be split between the City of Marshall and Lyon County.
According to Lyon County Assessor Sherri Kitchenmaster, “There is a purchaser for the building, who paid about $1.8 million for the facility. However, the building is appraised at $2.874 million. The new owner wants the appraisal lowered to what they paid for the building.”
•Adopted a resolution supporting Pipestone County’s Corridors of Commerce recommendation to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The resolution allows concrete resurfacing of County Road 23 from Pipestone to Russell (approximately 30 miles).
The Minnesota DOT has $400 million set aside to fund projects over the next four years. Pipestone County will apply for funding under the current legislation. •Approved authorizing bids for quotes to clean three Lyon County ditches, two of them in Vallers Township and the third in Lucas township.
In Vallers Township, are Judicial Ditch 2 and County Ditch 4 and in Lucas Township, County Ditch 69 (which is in the city limits of Cottonwood).
“I anticipate that all ditches have enough money in the ditch accounts to completely do the projects,” said Todd Hammer, Lyon County Ditch Director.
“I anticipate these projects will be done in the summer of 2018,” Hammer added.
•Approved a grant of $61,314.46 for new election equipment. The money was provided under a special Voting Equipment Grant and was approved for Lyon County.
The county will provide some matching funds for the purchase of the equipment. County Auditor-Treasurer E.J. Moberg was approved to purchase the equipment.
•Went into closed session to discuss the real estate purchase of 105 S. 5th St. in Marshall.