“Due to budgetary issues, pandemic illness concerns, and an aging fleet, we believe there is a high probability that we will not be able to provide the level of service [expected by our rural residents] during significant snowfall events...” Those were the words of Public Works Director Roger Riser in a letter he was seeking approval from the Watonwan County Board of Commissioners to send out to county area road construction contractors.
Riser is seeking to put together an “on-call” group that could assist with snow removal in the county in the event of major snowfall in the area. County Commissioners gave Riser the green light to go ahead and advertise for the “on-call” help to determine if there were any interested parties.
Riser emphasized in his proposal letter that “our rural residents have become accustomed and depend upon[adequate snow removal in such events].” The Board members told Riser if there are parties interested in the on-call program reimbursement for services provided could be discussed at the time when services are secured.
Watonwan County Public Works has a tradition of clearing all county roads within 24 hours following a snow event.
County Auditor, Donald Kuhlman, at the Tuesday meeting of the County Board of Commissioners, presented a list of adjustments made to the 2010 County Budget after the budget meetings with Department Heads and the work session with commissioners on August 10, 2009. After the adjustments are made there will still exist an amount of $111,018 over the proposed levy for 2010 of $7,209,912. The final levy for 2009 was $6,813,328. The adjustments to the 2010 Budget were as follows:
• Building maintenance reduced by $5,000
• Assessor reduce postage by $900
•Emergency Management reduce equipment to $0.00(a $2,000 savings)
• Soil and Water change appropriation to 2009 level of $55,600( a $24,000 savings)
• Court Administration legal defense contract service to $25,000 (a $25,000 savings)
See more in the Oct. 22 Plaindealer.
