Food stamp use climbs in past year

Food stamp use has increased significantly in the past year, Susan Beck, human services director told Crow Wing County commissioners Tuesday.

The increase - 31.49 percent between 2009 and 2010 in Crow Wing County - accounts for an increase in food stamp cases from 1,667 to 2,192.

Beck reported other increases:

A 14.93 percent rise in general assistance, which provides financial assistance for single adults to 154 cases this year.

A 9.75 percent increase in Medical Assistance to 4,322 cases in 2010.

A 14.46 percent increase in General Assistance Medical Program to 467 cases in the county in 2010.

A 3.37 percent rise in Minnesota Supplemental Aid to 368 cases this year.

Beck said a 1.07 percent decrease was seen in the Minnesota Family Investment Program, which people traditionally think of as welfare or income provided to families. The cases in the county dropped to 277 this year.

Beck said the case numbers don't necessarily coincide with a single person as there may be more than one person on a case or an individual may receive Medical Assistance and MFIP.

Beck reported the combination of services into community services, with health, social services together among others is saving money through more efficient use of staff with savings that wouldn't have been discovered if they weren't together.

In other business, the board:

Awarded a contract to Rachel Contracting in the amount of $1,913,731 for the reconstruction of Riverside Drive, or County Highway 20, from North Ahrens Hill Road to Wise Road or County Highway 49. The project will use federal stimulus dollars.

Five bids were received with Rachel Contracting providing the lowest bid. The engineer's estimate on the project was $2,096,284. The county predicts construction will begin in April and be completed by Sept. 4.

Accepted a $2,000 grant from Iron Range Recourses to install flood protection on Serpent Creek next to County Highway 30 north of Crosby.

Approved a speed limit study on County Highway 10 between county highways 18 and 14/Tame Fish Lake Road.

Purchased guardrail materials for $4,680 from H&R Construction Co. for County Road 120 also known as Fawn Lake Road.

Approved right-of-way acquisition for the project to replace the Nokasippi River bridge on County Highway 24. The county reports design work is nearly complete and the project will soon be on the waiting list for the state bridge bond funding.

RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.