Douglas County Commissioners Allocate Funds at September 1 Board Meeting

The nonprofits, service organizations, and others that apply annually to Douglas County for funding learned their funding amount at the September 1 board meeting. Commissioners, aware of pressures to keep the property tax levy as low as possible, carefully discussed the budget and the requests at a one-hour work session prior to the board meeting. Their final determinations announced at the meeting are:

• Rainbow Rider $27,866.19
• West Central Initiative $11,440.00
• ENCORE! Center for Vibrant Aging $20,000 (requested $25,000)
• Water Quality Legacy Fund $25,000 (requested $50,000)
• Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging $9,826
• Alexandria Area Chamber of Commerce $4,000
• Central MN Elder Network $12,000
• Douglas County Fair Board $25,000 (requested $30,000)
• Douglas County Historical Society $25,000 (requested $40,000)
• Douglas Soil and Water Conservation District $321,255.00
• Chippewa Watershed: $4,200
• Lakes Area Humane Society $16,000 (requested $17,000)
• Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission $58,000 (requested $60,638)
• City of Osakis $7,000 (requested $8,000)
• Viking Library System $150,439.00
• Regional Radio Board $16,146.33
• Glacial Ridge Trail $1,000

The board approved a $42,000 contract to fill the cracks on the Central Lakes Trail. Jet Black was the low bidder. After being asked about quality of products to be used, Public Works Director Tim Erickson assured commissioners there are specifications for quality and both bidders met them. Brad Bonk, Park Superintendent, said the repairs are just a band aid. He said the county does not get enough in state funding to repair the entire length of the trail each year. The most recent work was done from Osakis to Liberty Road. This contract is for work to be done from Liberty Road to Brandon. Commissioner Schmidt said the county needs to take control of trail maintenance which requires coordination with the DNR. That would allow Douglas County to apply for grants and make major improvements in the future. 

The next county board meeting is September 15 at 9 a.m. in the Administration Building at 821 Cedar St. Alexandria.