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As members of the Yellow Medicine County Board shared information on various committees the common thread of information tended to be “we’re going to wait and see.” The wait and see agenda is fueled by the state shut down, funding not being received and questions about what services the court will still identify as critical.
One area that the state has already identified as a non-critical service is corrections in Yellow Medicine County. While some correction services in some counties continue to be fully funded, and other counties have partial funding, YMC is not receiving any funding during the state shut down.
Commissioner Gary Johnson told the board that YMC is identified as a CCA and CCA counties are not being funded. Johnson shared concerns that the county only has about two months of reserves. “We’re going to give it until Friday and see what happens,” said Johnson. He indicated that if the shut down continues past Friday that decisions will have to be made and commented that there may be a meeting on Monday to make those decisions if necessary.
County Administrator Ryan Krosch echoed Johnson’s sentiments when he reported that no further action has been taken concerning the Minnesota Falls Dam. The process is unable to move forward since the environmental assessment cannot be completed during the state shut down.
Peggy Heglund YMC Family Service Director explained to the board that a number of services are still under review and that decisions by the court are expected no later than July 31. As of now, state grants in the amount of $8,211 are not being funded. Those services affect seven families and 11 adults in the county. In addition, the county will not fund employment services during the shut down to assist individuals finding jobs through SWPIC in the amount of $4,500 a month or fund child care to MFIP in the amount of $1,000 per month or transition basic child care in the amount of $8,000.
Disaster declaration
County Assessor Connie Erickson appeared before the board to request the county approve changes to the tax abatement and disaster declaration. Even though Governor Dayton has asked President Obama to declare Yellow Medicine County as a disaster area following the July 1 storm, Erickson wants the county to be prepared to offer tax abatements to residents of the county who suffered damage if the federal disaster is not declared. The local abatement criteria is different than the federal criteria. “A home must be uninhabitable. Out buildings must be unusable,” shared Erickson. She went on to explain that the abatement is also pro-rated based on the number of months the structure is not in use.
As members of the Yellow Medicine County Board shared information on various committees the common thread of information tended to be “we’re going to wait and see.” The wait and see agenda is fueled by the state shut down, funding not being received and questions about what services the court will still identify as critical.
One area that the state has already identified as a non-critical service is corrections in Yellow Medicine County. While some correction services in some counties continue to be fully funded, and other counties have partial funding, YMC is not receiving any funding during the state shut down.
Commissioner Gary Johnson told the board that YMC is identified as a CCA and CCA counties are not being funded. Johnson shared concerns that the county only has about two months of reserves. “We’re going to give it until Friday and see what happens,” said Johnson. He indicated that if the shut down continues past Friday that decisions will have to be made and commented that there may be a meeting on Monday to make those decisions if necessary.
County Administrator Ryan Krosch echoed Johnson’s sentiments when he reported that no further action has been taken concerning the Minnesota Falls Dam. The process is unable to move forward since the environmental assessment cannot be completed during the state shut down.
Peggy Heglund YMC Family Service Director explained to the board that a number of services are still under review and that decisions by the court are expected no later than July 31. As of now, state grants in the amount of $8,211 are not being funded. Those services affect seven families and 11 adults in the county. In addition, the county will not fund employment services during the shut down to assist individuals finding jobs through SWPIC in the amount of $4,500 a month or fund child care to MFIP in the amount of $1,000 per month or transition basic child care in the amount of $8,000.
Disaster declaration
County Assessor Connie Erickson appeared before the board to request the county approve changes to the tax abatement and disaster declaration. Even though Governor Dayton has asked President Obama to declare Yellow Medicine County as a disaster area following the July 1 storm, Erickson wants the county to be prepared to offer tax abatements to residents of the county who suffered damage if the federal disaster is not declared. The local abatement criteria is different than the federal criteria. “A home must be uninhabitable. Out buildings must be unusable,” shared Erickson. She went on to explain that the abatement is also pro-rated based on the number of months the structure is not in use.
Areas in southern Echo, Posen, the City of Echo and area in Sioux Agency have been identified with the most damage. Erickson shared that under the proposal she was bringing to the board a structure would have to have sustained $100,000 in damage to qualify for a tax abatement. She told board members, “From just what I saw a majority of taxpayers will not be eligible for a tax abatement.”
The main issue that has to be addressed immediately is re-assessing the damaged properties. The process of re-assessment will begin this week. The focus will be on the most heavily damaged areas of the county, however, Erickson stressed that re-assesment will be done on a case by case basis.
The board approved an expenditure of $1,500 for re-assessment purposes.
