---

WALKER - Only six people turned out to ask questions at Cass County's annual public hearing Thursday, Dec. 8, on the proposed 2012 budget and tax levy.

One asked about the county's funding sources beyond property tax levies. These would include such sources as state and federal grants, donations, timber sales receipts and fees for services.

Another asked why the system is so complicated. Others had questions specific to their property.

The board will vote at the regular meeting Dec. 20 to set the final levy and budget.

Though the county board proposes to levy the same $19,765,430 in 2012 as the county did in 2011, it will mean a 3.24 percent increase in the county's levy rate. This is because the county's total property valuation against which the tax is levied has dropped in the last year.

Cass' levy rate, proposed to be 28.569 percent, is the lowest of nine neighboring counties. Beltrami's rate is proposed to increase 7.35 percent to 52.979 percent. The highest tax rate proposed in this area is Todd County's 57 percent.

At the regular county board meeting, preceding the tax and levy hearing, the Cass board voted to set 2012 county commissioner annual salaries at $23,596, the same amount paid in 2010 and 2011 and lower than the $24,326 paid in 2008 and 2009.[[In-content Ad]]

In addition to salaries, the commissioners are paid $75 per board meeting or meeting where the full board votes to have a commissioners represent the board at a meeting. The commissioners do not receive pay for the first board meeting each month or the board of auditors, board of equalization or canvassing board meetings.

Thursday, the board voted to set pay for elected officials and appointed non-union employees at the same rate as last year, but will allow step increases (equal to about 3 percent) effective July 1, 2012, for those not already at Step 10 on the pay scale. This matches the salary changes approved in three-year contracts set earlier with the county's six union bargaining units for all other employees.

The step increases will raise County Attorney Christopher Strandlie's pay July 1 from $103,854 to $106,974 and Sheriff Tom Burch's pay from $86,986 to $89,627. County Recorder Katie Norby is already at Step 10, so will see her pay remain at $66,664.

In the 2011 state legislative session, legislators approved a measure to allow counties the option to fund their libraries at 90 percent of a state mandated maintenance of effort level.

Beltrami County commissioners recently voted to lower their contribution to Kitchigami Library system to the 90 percent level. They achieve that by eliminating use of the bookmobile, which visits smaller communities not having a library building.

Thursday, Cass commissioners looked at options Kitchigami Library system provided, showing how 90 percent funding could be accomplished in Cass. These options showed choices for lowering or eliminating Bookmobile services and/or lowering the number of hours Cass' library buildings are open.

While Cass' proposed 2012 levy calls for 100 percent library funding in 2012, the commissioners expect to review the options for lowering library funding in the future, especially if other Kitchigami member counties cut their funding. This could leave Cass as the only or one of few counties carrying the full cost to operate the Bookmobile.

Thursday, the commissioners discussed possible ways the library system might take advantage of newer technology to provide services at a possibly lower cost.

Second publication rights after Brainerd Dispatch.

---