2018 Cook County Budget Approved
17.5% increase
#LSN_News 2018 Budge Cook County
Cook County, Minnesota - December 12, 2017 – (LSN) At today’s Board of Commissioner’s Meeting, the Board voted three to two to approve the 2018 County Budget as presented by the Budget Committee with a levy of $9,236,751, equaling a 17.5% levy increase from 2017.
Several members of the public attended to speak, both in favor and against, the proposed budget and the work of the Board during the public comment period. Comments from Commissioners conveyed support to finally having a balanced budget which positions Cook County to have sustainable budgets in the future, and meet the needs of our community and appropriate service levels while retaining qualified staff.
The 17.5% increase, down from the initial proposed 19.9%, was achieved by cutting non-mandated entities and reduction in approximately $270,000 in Highway equipment expenditures, along with additional revenue realized for Human Services in the General Fund.
Commissioner Meetings are streamed live, as well as full meeting footage is available online at http://co.cook.mn.us/2016site/
“We have done a lot of hard work over many months to balance the budget and now is the time to move forward,” said Commissioner Ginny Storlie, Budget Committee. “We employ over 100 people to run county services, but we are lean and efficient. Jobs can be replaced, but people cannot be replaced. Our employees give generously of their time and work tirelessly to make this community a better place to live – we need every one of them. We will work together to continue to move forward and make Cook County a great place to live for all.”
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