April 16 Executive Committee Meeting

Consolidation of departments was the key issue addressed at the April 16 Executive Committee meeting.  

The plan is to have a single office do the accounting for every department in the county.  Details of the accounting structure are yet to be determined.  It was hoped that centralizing this key function would prove to be a cost-saving measure.   Finance should have a better idea of how well the individual departments are adhering to the budget before the end of the budget year.  

A resolution will be presented at the next meeting of the board merging the Highway Department with the Lime Quarry.

In May, the Executive Committee will have a consolidation resolution combining the Human Services Department with the Health and Aging Departments to promote efficiency, openness and cross-training of employees in both departments, thus saving time and money.

A resolution was prepared that would require all county vehicles to be serviced by Highway Department Employees.

The committee voted to substitute the word "directives" for the word "guidance" in paragraph 6 of Duties and Responsibilities Specific to Executive Committee:  "No later than April 20th, the Executive Committee shall issue staffing and programming (guidance) directives per Policy 881 Staffing, Budget Planning and Position Administration."  The committee felt that the word "guidance" was too soft, and that the committee's conclusions should be more than mere suggestions, since the Executive Committee has the authority to manage the budget process and approve the budget.  

Letter from Constituent on Lakeshore Buffers

I received the following letter from a constituent a couple of weeks ago.  I couldn't agree more with the sentiments Karsten expresses concerning the importance of lakeshore buffers, so I'm sharing this with my blog readers:

Dear Mrs. Stoneking:

Polk County has been known for its recreational lakes and rivers.  The waterfront housing is the most popular in the area.  Business booms in the local communities for sporting and recreation on the waters.  The local water sources are vital to the county and its communities.

A problem with the lakes and rivers has arisen in the past few years; the local water quality is below average.  This is a dilemma because most of the tourism and tax base of the county relies on the lakes and rivers.  The water sources are also home to many important ecosystems, supporting much of the surrounding wildlife.  The poor water quality is a result of production around the water sources, leading to unnecessary sediment, phosphate, and chemical buildup in the water.  The solution for improving local water quality is to campaign for waterfront properties to have at least a 35 ft. natural buffer to maintain local ecosystems, the local economy, and the health of the citizens of Polk County.

To start, buffers would reduce the pollution into ecosystems that are important to the county.  The water ecosystems support the surrounding wildlife and produce fish that are pursued by outdoorsmen.  If the sediment input increases, it will create a buildup of fine sediment, also known as muck.  The increase in sediment makes it difficult for fish to breed, as many of the game fish need a gravel bottom to lay eggs.  The fine sediment on the lake bottom will reduce the number of fish and have a large impact on the ecosystem.  The overflow of phosphate from fertilizers and agricultural areas also impact the ecosystem.  The increase in phosphate directly increases aquatic plant growth, causing a steep imbalance of organisms in the ecosystem and frequent algae blooms.  The chemicals entering the water such as insecticides can kill many fish and other organisms, creating a larger disturbance in the ecosystem.  Mr. Steve Schieffer, a science teacher at Amery High School and a local water quality specialist, stated the importance of natural buffers in that they reduce the sediment and phosphate input up to 50%.  The buffers could also reduce the chemicals entering local bodies of water as well.  These buffers will help improve the ecosystems and the natural environment.  The local aquatic ecosystems are important as part of Polk County's natural habitat and are indicators of how humans are treating local water resources.

The local ecosystems can also indirectly affect the citizens of our county.  If the water quality is poor due to the increase of chemicals and minerals entering the water, it could adversely affect the local economy.  If phosphate is halted by buffers, plant growth and algae blooms will be reduced and increase recreation in the area.  the decrease in sediment from buffers will promote fish breeding and increase the amount of fishermen traveling to Polk County.  This will create more customers at local businesses, such as gas stations and convenience stores, outdoor stores, and restaurants.  If the aquatic plants are reduced and the fish are more abundant, the lake will be more desirable, and property and the county's tax revenue will increase.  The EPA Office of Water informs that waterfront properties sell for much migher, with potential of several times list value when the water near the property is clean.  The implementation of buffers will increase the revenue of local businesses, and the county will acquire more money for important projects.  Helping the local ecosystems is also helping the local economy.

The buffers help reduce the most critical pollutant, chemicals.  By keeping out dangerous chemicals from the water, it will help the health of local citizens.  The buffers prevent an excess of chemicals from entering lakes and rivers.  If there is excess, the chemicals could seep into the water table, invading the drinking water of citizens.  Reducing chemicals into the water sources in Polk County also reduces the chances of cancer from water.  Another problem with chemicals in thelocal water is that the water eventually flows into larger bodies of water, and the chemicals from Polk County may end up  being the problem of someone else.  The buffers protect the most important things for people, health and life.

The implementation of natural buffers may reduce the view from lakefront property, but a nice lawn and view are inadequate if the lake looks polluted and infested with algae.  Installing buffers may seem like a lot of work, but the health of the ecosystem and humans is certainly worth the effort.  It may seem difficult to get everyone to make a buffer, but if people stat doing this, others will see the positive results and act accordingly.

Establishing buffers on waterfront properties protects the local environment, boosts the local economy, and ensures the health of humans.  Keep Polk County's water sources popular by keeping them clean.  The local ecosystems will stay healthy, the county and local businesses will receive more money, and cancer will be reduced or prevented from local water sources.  Campaign for natural buffers on the waterfront!

Sincerely,

Karsten Rimestad

Duana Bremer Declines Offer to Join County Board

Board Chair Bryan Beseler had asked Duana Bremer to replace Supervisor Pat Messicci, who resigned from the Board in March, for the remainder of Ms. Messicci's term.  However, Mr. Beseler confirmed on Friday that Ms. Bremer has declined the appointment.  

Most will recall that former Board Chair Larry Jepsen appointed Ms. Bremer to serve the remainder of Supervisor Jerry Neuville's term in the fall of 2007 after the seat became vacant following Mr. Neuville's move out of District 12.   

Ms. Bremer had campaigned unsuccessfully to retain the seat against Pat Messicci in the spring 2008 election.  

Ms. Bremer proved to be a polarizing figure in the controversy surrounding the abortive sale of the Golden Age Manor during her short time on the Board.   Supervisor Bremer cast the deciding vote in favor of the sale.  Most had expected her to support Golden Age, and her vote to sell the facility came as a surprise.  The vote to sell the Golden Age Manor carried by a 12-11 margin.

Ms. Bremer attempted to change her vote the day after the Board meeting, claiming that the vote had been cast based on misinformation, but the attempt was turned aside because the Rules did not allow her to change her vote after the meeting was adjourned.  The sale process continued, and the rest, as they say, is history.