By Robert Williams

Editor

Auditor-Treasurer Mary Fredrickson presented a resolution to set the 2027 proposed tax levy at approximately $32.7 million, a 7.26 percent increase over the 2026 levy and will yield a $2,213,013 increase. 

The proposed levy is the maximum that can be proposed, according to Fredrickson. It can be reduced before a final levy is set in December.

Commissioner Barry Nelson encouraged the board to do more to lower the percentage.

“In the past, our history has been when we set this preliminary levy that it’s pretty well worked through,” he said. “I think the board has done a good job of working through this session to get here, but I think there is more work to be done. I think our goal should be a little bit lower.”

Commissioner David Meyer and Board Chair Erica Jepson immediately agreed, with Jepson highlighting that significant cuts have already been made.

“I think it is important to note that when department heads and Carrie (Smith, County Administrator) started this we were at a double-digit levy increase,” Jepson said. “There has been a lot of work but I do agree there is potentially more work that could be done and I would like us to be lower. I think we all would like to be lower.”

Nelson and Fredrickson also discussed $185,053 being used to start a capital improvement fund.

The resolution passed unanimously.

EDA

The board also approved a $245,000 levy for the county’s for the Becker County Economic Development Authority. According to Fredrickson, this amount is not an increase, in fact, it has been the same amount for the past several years.

Economic Development Specialist Cody Piper discussed a change for next year in the desire to return the housing program and management back under the EDA in replacement of services provided by Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation (MMCDC) of Detroit Lakes.

“This is to allow us to initiate that process to replace the outsourced management contract costs and apply that to direct staffing internally,” Piper said. 

Over the past three years, the county has paid more than $650,000 for EDA-related management and consulting services, roughly $219,000 per year. The EDA has contracted with an external organization to manage and administer its housing programs and portfolio since 2015.

Also approved, was a resolution to add a full-time housing specialist to the go along with no longer contracting with MMCDC. The current contract expires on Thursday, Dec. 31.

The EDA Board determined that transitioning management and administration to EDA staff will provide greater oversight, accountability, and coordination, while anticipated personnel and operating costs are not expected to exceed the costs of contracted management services.

Approximately $73,000 has been budgeted for the position with additional costs of roughly $32,000 in costs during this year to cover partial salary and benefits.

Explanation of the cost by the EDA Board is to maintain operational continuity of the programs and properties staff would be desired to start prior to the new year, thus, requiring a portion of the wages to occur in 2026, in which the position was not budgeted for.

The seven-person EDA Board is made up of: Karen Mulari –District 1; Tom Klyve –District 2; John Okeson -District 3; Sean Felker –District 4; Abby Anderson –District 5; Richard Vareberg—District 4 and Jepson–District 1.

Nelson also thanked Piper for his recent efforts, considering the major transition that is going on with Fredrickson set to retire in January.