Library system asking county for added levy

Marian Ridge, director of the Kitchigami Regional Library, reviewed the 2002 library budget request Tuesday with the Crow Wing County Board.

The Crow Wing County Board took no action on the 2002 Kitchigami Regional Library budget.

Ridge said that the library needs to levy an additional $29,230 next year. This amount is the minimum amount the library can levy. Ridge said the levy amount was based on population numbers and it stayed within the state levy amount.

She said the library needs to increase its budget next year due to increased costs in transportation and in salary and benefits.

The library's adopted budget this year is $306,845 and with the levy increase would give the library $336,075 in 2002. The county board has the authority to approve or decline the levy request.

In other action, the board:

Heard from Dan Larson, the Minnesota Rural Counties Caucus administrator, about some of the MRRC activities. The MRRC covers 20 rural counties and issues that are related to these counties. Larson said the focus this year is on transportation, better management of land, decentralizing state government offices and the benefits of telecommunication.

Approved a contract with CNR Contractors of Fort Ripley for $7,980 to install telephone utility service for the new maintenance building.

Approved the final plat and a zoning change for Fox Run located in Crow Wing and Fort Ripley townships. The 75-acre development is owned by Harold and Brenda Whirley who requested to rezone 17 lots from agricultural to rural residential and six lots to commercial.

Agreed to rezone two acres in Ideal Township from green space to residential. The property is owned by Tad Lundberg.

Approved two zoning changes from agricultural to rural residential. Leona Morgan estate, requested by Charles and Diane Jackson, sought a change in Unorganized Territory involving about three acres.

Thomas Sanders of Long Lake Township requested to rezone about four acres.

Awarded several bids, including a bid from Anderson Brothers for about $549,300 to construct 3.5 miles of County Road 103. A bid was also awarded to Bauerly Brothers for $158,700 for County Road 123. Tri-City Paving was awarded a bid for $48,800 for construction of Indigo Road.

A bid was awarded to Jarvela Forestry Consulting for $2,127 and to A&M Forestry Inc. for $70 an hour for bud capping.

Appointed Richard Howard to the Thirty Lakes Watershed District. Janelle Carkhuff was appointed to the Community Health Services Advisory Committee.

Decided to apply for a CSAH 21 bridge project grant of $237,000.

Noted the next regular county board meeting will be Sept. 13 because of the Sept. 11 primary election.