Douglas County Board Meeting August 15 2023
Posted: 08/16/2023
Author: Julie Anderson
Category: County Board, Departments
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The Douglas County Board of Commissioners set salaries for elected officials, allocated funds to nonprofits and other governmental agencies, and increased a financing package for The Rune development in downtown Alexandria. These and other actions were taken at the August 15 board meeting.
2024 salaries for elected officials will be:
- Douglas County Sheriff $150,000
- Douglas County Attorney $143,500
- Auditor/Treasure $103,160
- Recorder $77,000
- Commissioners $32,000
The board also approved a 3 percent wage increase for all non-union county employees in 2024.
The county board is allowed to allocate funds to various organizations when the money is used for a public purpose or is provided for by legislative authority. Organizational leaders appear annually before the board to explain their request for funds and to answer any questions.
The board approved funds for the following:
- Alexandria Area Chamber of Commerce
- Central Minnesota Elder Network
- Douglas County Ag Association
- Douglas County Historical Society
- Douglas County Water Quality Legacy Fund
- Douglas Soil and Water Conservation District
- Lakes Area Humane Society
- West Central Initiative
- Alexandria Economic Development Commission
- City of Osakis Economic Development Authority
- Viking Library System
- Rainbow Rider
- Glacial Ridge Trail
- Regional Radio Board
Commissioners approved a request for $8.2 million for what’s called a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) special assessment on The Rune which is the new development on the corner of Broadway and 3rd in Alexandria. The former assessment was $5 million. The assessment provides a finance mechanism for the installation of energy efficient, renewable and conservation improvements.
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) of Douglas County provides options for those needing affordable housing in Douglas County. Executive Director Emajean Hanson-Ford asked for and was granted permission to levy a special benefits tax in the amount of $885,000 which is .0098 percent of the taxable market value of the county. These funds will be used to support the mission of the HRA. Hanson-Ford told commissioners the agency is fiscally responsible, and the need is great. She says there are currently more than 300 families on a waiting list for affordable housing.
The next Douglas County Board of Commissioners meeting will be September 5 at 9 a.m. The meetings are held at the Douglas County Administration Building 821 Cedar Street, Alexandria.