[2:33] Good evening everyone. It is Thursday, [2:36] December 11th at 6 p.m. We'll call the [2:39] Wright County Board uh to order. It is [2:42] our truth and taxation meeting. Uh we'll [2:45] begin here with a brief introduction of [2:47] board members. Uh, Commissioner Moina, [2:50] >> Kirby Moa, District 5, [2:52] >> Nate Dean Shane, District 4. [2:54] >> Uh, Derek Bch, District 2, [2:56] >> Genie Hall in District 3, [2:58] >> Tina Dedric, District 1. [3:00] >> All right. Uh, moving on to our agenda [3:03] here. Uh, first part of this meeting, [3:05] this meeting here is not to discuss the [3:07] valuation, uh, or the value of your [3:09] property, but to discuss the, uh, county [3:14] budget and the county levy. Uh so if [3:16] you're here for this meeting to discuss [3:18] the value of your home, that meeting [3:21] takes place in June and that process [3:23] begins in April. Um and we will happily [3:27] get you connected with our county [3:28] assessor to help you uh be prepared for [3:32] that meeting when that time and place [3:34] comes. [3:36] All right, at this time I'm going to [3:38] turn it over to you, Administrator [3:39] Kryser, as we work. [3:40] >> Mr. Chair, we have an agenda. If we can [3:42] go to the next slide and we start with [3:43] the pledge of allegiance. All right, [3:45] we'll begin with the pledge of [3:46] allegiance. [3:49] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the [3:51] United States of America and to the [3:53] republic for which it stands, one nation [3:56] under God, indivisible, with liberty and [3:58] justice for all. [4:03] >> And now moving on to the budget [4:04] overview. [4:05] >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of [4:07] the board. Um, moving on, if you could. [4:11] So I I first want to start by just [4:12] talking about Wright County's mission [4:14] statement and that is that we lead with [4:16] fiscal responsibility, innovation, and [4:18] compassion in everything we do and in [4:20] all actions that we take here at the [4:22] Wright County Board. So um next is I [4:26] want to cover our annual budgeting [4:27] process and where we currently are. Um [4:29] as you can see, we're in the fifth step [4:31] right here, which is the public meeting [4:33] on December 11th. We've already done a [4:35] draft of the capital improvement [4:36] projects that was completed in May. We [4:38] did budget workbooks which started in [4:41] June with staff members and our finance [4:43] department and were reviewed thoroughly [4:45] by administration and then in August we [4:47] met with departments and the [4:49] commissioners and we reviewed the [4:50] budget. Uh the preliminary levy was set [4:53] on September 24th and now we're here as [4:55] I stated earlier for the public meeting [4:57] and then next Tuesday on the on the [4:59] agenda is the proposed certification of [5:01] the final levy on December 16th at the [5:03] county board meeting. [5:06] Um just a description of the line items [5:08] you'll see on your property tax [5:10] statement. Just so everyone knows kind [5:11] of what they are. We have some general [5:13] definitions up there. What we [5:14] specifically are here to talk about [5:16] today is the county portion that is on [5:18] your property tax levy statement or [5:20] proposed levy statement that you have [5:22] here and it's the tax that is coming [5:23] from Wright County or the levy being [5:25] certified by Wright County. [5:30] In 2026, uh the board adopted some [5:32] budget strategic priorities. Um, number [5:35] one, we provide for civic engagement [5:37] with our community. We want a a very [5:39] informed electorate in Wright County and [5:41] the constituents to know what's going on [5:43] in Wright County. Uh, we are about [5:45] improving and maintaining service [5:47] standards. Um, and also doing that with [5:49] fiscal responsibility and compassion as [5:51] articulated in our mission statement. We [5:54] also prioritize public safety. We search [5:56] out for secure and secure [5:58] non-traditional funding sources through [6:00] grant funding opportunities, [6:01] partnerships, grants, joint powers, [6:03] agreements, anything we can do to try to [6:05] bring cost down to try to alleviate the [6:07] pressure on the tax levy. Next, we [6:10] maintain and improve our infrastructure. [6:11] We make sure that the assets that we [6:13] have are not disintegrating and costing [6:15] us more in the future. That includes [6:17] investing in our roads and capital uh [6:19] fixtures that we have in the county. We [6:21] promote a safe community. Again, we [6:22] invest in law enforcement in Reich [6:24] County. um and also in probation and [6:26] court services with our recent [6:27] transition to community collections on [6:29] November 10th. We provide for economic [6:31] growth. Um we invest in different areas [6:34] to provide for that with our cities um [6:36] and through our our EDA. And then [6:39] lastly, fostering land and environment [6:41] through our parks and natural resources. [6:47] Mr. Chair, members of the board, the [6:49] 2026 budget overview and strategic [6:52] priorities resulted in a levy [6:54] preliminary set in September of 5.57%. [6:58] The key budget challenges we are looking [7:00] at include state and federal level [7:03] shifts in the two to five five-year [7:05] outlook coming from the state and [7:07] federal government. Just recently, last [7:09] week, we got not so good news from the [7:11] state of Minnesota budget and management [7:14] that we're looking at another [7:15] significant over $2 billion deficit [7:17] going into the next bianium. Uh again, [7:20] these are areas we're monitoring for [7:22] possible cost shifts that could come in [7:23] the future. We luckily avoided the [7:25] majority of them in the last session, [7:27] but they are still on the horizon and [7:29] are still looking, you know, we're still [7:31] paying attention to those and make [7:32] keeping it a priority. Right now, we [7:34] have open employee union contracts. We [7:36] are actively negotiating. Um some of [7:39] them will be on the agenda next Tuesday [7:41] for ratification. Employee healthcare [7:43] insurance did increase 14% this year up [7:46] to the rate cap. Um next year we do not [7:48] have a rate cap. [cough] Um so it'll [7:50] [clears throat] be a market rate [7:51] adjustment for health insurance. [7:53] Additionally, Minnesota paid family [7:56] leave um came to the county um at 395% [8:01] for all wages worked by employees. So [8:03] that's an additional hit that we had to [8:05] take to uh comply with that recent [8:07] statute in Minnesota law that goes into [8:08] effect on January 1st. We also are [8:10] dealing with pricing cost and fleet and [8:12] equipment, supplies and materials, [8:14] technology upgrades, and overall [8:16] contracting for all of the services we [8:19] provide in Wright County. [8:23] Your tax dollars at work. [snorts] Um [8:25] the Wright County Sheriff's Office per [8:27] capita per month is $11.78 to provide [8:30] personnel training and resources to [8:32] ensure that deputies are available when [8:34] our residents call and when they need [8:36] them. That is all aspects of our [8:37] sheriff's office. The the sheriff the [8:40] deputies you see patrolling Cis dispatch [8:43] and also our jail. The library of $1.30 [8:46] per capita per month for the Great River [8:48] Regional Library to give us the [8:50] exceptional library services we have [8:52] across Wright County. [8:56] Parks and trails. A $130 per capita per [8:58] month goes to paying for the keeping our [9:02] parks up and going here in Wright [9:03] County. We have more than 4,727 [9:06] acres of parks and lands and outdoor [9:08] recreation space in Wright County, [9:10] including 82 miles of trails. Highway [9:12] $36 per capita per month. Um, this is [9:16] for all the road improvements we do [9:17] across the county. And we are seeking [9:20] additional funds from our federal [9:21] partners whenever we can, grant funding [9:23] opportunities and through any um state [9:27] gas tax money we can collect from the [9:29] state. [9:32] Health and human services, public health [9:34] is $138 per month for the health [9:37] promotion services they provide. Finance [9:39] and social services is $8.13 per month. [9:45] and county kind of financing basics. [9:48] Where does our money come from? Where [9:49] does the county get its revenues? We [9:51] primarily get it from property taxes, [9:53] then state aid funds, grants coming from [9:55] the federal, state or other, [9:57] [clears throat] then charges for [9:58] services, and then also the local option [10:00] sales tax of half a percent for roads. [10:03] And who determines the budget priorities [10:05] and expenditures? Some of this comes [10:07] from the federal government in the form [10:09] of mandates that can be funded and [10:11] unfunded. We have state laws that are [10:13] funded and here are late seem to [10:15] becoming more unfunded as we go through [10:18] the process of budgeting. We have [10:19] agreements and spec specific program [10:21] requirements we're required to follow [10:23] through. Um also the prawny board um [10:26] sets the priorities that we have here [10:28] and also designated agents that we have [10:31] [clears throat] [10:32] our revenue. If you look at it at the [10:34] chart up on the screen as you can see [10:36] 47% of revenue comes from property [10:38] taxes. Um, and then we have federal [10:41] grants at 6%, state general purpose aid [10:43] of 4%, state categorical aid, and then [10:46] charges for services, and then other [10:49] miscellaneous at 9%. [10:52] Our expenses, the overall is general [10:55] government, followed closely by public [10:57] safety, our sheriff's department, and [10:59] then highway operation at 25%. as well [11:02] and then human services the 14% and then [11:05] we have public health parks and rack [11:07] conservation and debt service in there [11:09] as well. [11:12] Our net tax reliance by the every year [11:14] as you can see the tall graph um over to [11:17] the left second to the left is our [11:19] residential homestead net tax it has [11:21] gone down our reliance on that from [11:23] 56.76% [11:25] in 2024 [11:27] to 55.48% in 2025. Um the egg homestead [11:32] is slowly decreasing u about 12 to 13 [11:37] basis points every year. Um as you can [11:39] see right now if it continues on that [11:41] rate it'll be below the 2% threshold for [11:44] next year. Commercial net tax in the [11:46] past year did increase. uh industrial [11:48] also is on an upward trajectory slowly [11:50] but surely and our reliance on public [11:53] utilities from the state and their state [11:55] assessed properties mainly the Monaceel [11:57] nuclear plant is decreasing as we have [12:00] additional property um being built and [12:03] property tax capacity in other cities [12:05] within Wright County. [12:08] Just showing you here on this screen our [12:09] 2026 comparable proposed levy increases. [12:12] This is these are the preliminary levies [12:14] as set. Right county at the bottom at [12:16] 5.57%. [12:17] You can see an NOA is over 10, Benton [12:20] 10.6, Carver 8, Mloud at 2.5, Mer 9.2, [12:24] Scott 10, Sherburn 6.5, and Sterns at [12:27] 5.2, Washington just under 7% at 6.9. [12:33] And then we like to try to give everyone [12:34] a cross-section across the county of [12:37] what does the median home value in your [12:39] city look like and what was the impact [12:41] dealing with only the county tax portion [12:44] on your property tax bill. Um this is [12:46] looking at the median value increase [12:48] from 2024 to 2025 valuation. So at Sego [12:52] looking at an average median home value [12:54] of just over 400,000 at $47.36. [12:59] Buffalo just under 320,000 is the median [13:02] home value. Uh tax impact was $509. [13:05] Montrose just under 280 at $142. [13:11] St. Michael at $47,47.88. [13:15] Delano 38820 or 200. Uh tax impact was [13:19] $2910. [13:21] These are again are the changes in [13:22] valuation and dealing with it. Our tax [13:25] rate did go down. So if your homestead [13:28] if your value stayed the same, your tax [13:29] rate should have gone down, but we know [13:31] everyone's valuation goes up every year. [13:33] So we didn't want to be dishonest in our [13:35] presentation here. And we actually did [13:37] median value over median value every [13:38] year and calculated the difference so [13:40] that everyone can actually see what it [13:42] is that they're looking at. So Monaceel [13:44] median home value in 2005 2025, sorry, [13:48] 309700 with a tax impact of $1848. [13:52] countywide. Um, taking the median value [13:55] as a whole overall of 362, our median [13:59] tax impact with the increase would be [14:00] $358 on the county pro portion of the [14:03] taxes. [14:06] Our challenges behind 2026, the county [14:09] is growing or we are starting to see an [14:11] increase for dans for services uh [14:13] especially in the law enforcement. Calls [14:15] for service are going up as you would [14:17] expect for people moving into community. [14:19] We have aging equipment and [14:21] infrastructure. Roads, bridges, [14:22] facilities are always looking at getting [14:24] updated. Um, as I indicated earlier, one [14:27] of the challenges we have is employee [14:28] salaries and benefits and our labor [14:30] agreements. Having a unionized workforce [14:32] does create some challenges and having [14:34] us have to guarantee a wage or [14:37] contractually being obligated to a wage [14:39] going forward in the future that is set [14:41] um sometimes two to three years in [14:43] advance um due to contract negotiations. [14:46] And again, we are monitoring actively [14:48] state and federal cost shifts and [14:49] formula changes. As I indicated earlier, [14:51] the 2027 bianium start um forecast from [14:55] last Friday was not favorable for that [14:58] with over $2 [clears throat] billion in [14:59] potential deficit from the state. So, [15:01] we'll be again watching that and paying [15:03] attention to anything that could be [15:05] coming from the state for cost shifts. [15:07] And then again, insurance is always a a [15:09] driver in expenses. health insurance as [15:12] it is for everyone sitting around or in [15:14] their homes, health insurance is always [15:16] a concern. [15:20] So, one of the issues that we dealt with [15:22] or we are currently dealing with is a [15:24] reduced federal participation and county [15:25] pressures. Um, we have a reduction in [15:27] federal funding um in some areas that [15:30] came out of Congress in this past year. [15:32] These are creating county financial [15:34] pressures on us as we could be having to [15:37] um further fund you know or make up for [15:40] unfunded mandates and cost shifts um [15:42] that go from the state that get passed [15:44] down from the state down to the local [15:45] government from the federal system all [15:46] the way down. We are having [15:48] infrastructure issu struggles as well [15:50] given what the state is giving us to be [15:52] able to work with in the 1989 DOSbased [15:56] Maxis system that our HHS employees use [15:59] on a daily basis. This literally I have [16:01] a picture of it on the next screen, but [16:03] this literally is what our HHS employees [16:06] in 2025 going into 2026 are still using [16:09] is a 1989 DOSbased system that is clunky [16:13] and takes a lot of staff time to just do [16:17] the most simplest thing like changing an [16:19] address. So to manage these, Wright [16:21] County has intentionally held some [16:22] positions vacant and we're strategically [16:24] aligning new hires to meet the community [16:26] needs and to comply with these state and [16:28] federal shifts that are coming down upon [16:30] Wright County to try to also keep the [16:32] levy low. So we do have vacancies here [16:34] that we are leaving open so we can [16:36] strategically move um and not result in [16:39] a tax increase by hiring additional FDES [16:41] in the future if we have to [16:43] strategically move quickly to deal with [16:44] these unfunded mandates. [16:48] So here is the screen literally of the [16:50] 1989 Maxis system that we have that is [16:53] currently in today. As you can see, it [16:55] was taken just before noon today. So [16:57] this is the lovely system we are given [16:59] by the state of Minnesota. [17:00] >> I wanted to make sure you made it clear. [17:01] This is the one that the county bought. [17:03] This is the state system. [17:04] >> This is the state system that they are [17:06] still limping along. I don't know if [17:07] they truly have floppy drives that still [17:09] work this thing at the state or not. But [17:12] I I can tell you I I I'm going to make a [17:14] joke here, but I don't even know if [17:15] Oregon Trail was developed at this time. [17:18] [laughter] [17:21] >> So So [17:21] >> it does look like the screen that I use [17:23] at night in middle school. So [17:25] >> yeah, it it's bad. So yes, this is what [17:28] our HHS employees deal with every single [17:30] day in that division and that they [17:32] struggle with. I mean, this is a huge [17:35] huge time constraint on our employees. [17:39] So future goals of course is levy [17:41] stabilization. We always try to keep our [17:43] levies stabilized and keep the increases [17:46] um stable over the years. We don't want [17:48] to have spikes where we go from 0000 all [17:51] the way up to 12 to make up for it. We [17:53] want to try to keep everything um in [17:55] line and try to keep it stabilized. [17:57] Insurance again no no cap in FY27. So it [18:02] will be um [18:04] excuse me it it'll be a market rate [18:06] adjustment. Uh we did use 1.8 million in [18:09] bond proceeds for D debt in FY26 which [18:12] will have to be recognized in FY27. [18:14] Again vacancy savings to bring down the [18:16] FY27 reduction in CIP will be used and [18:19] we're also going to be evaluating [18:20] organizational structure for efficiency [18:22] as we go forward. Um, we also are [18:25] continually reviewing the HHS um, uh, [18:28] full-time equivalent reimbursement and [18:30] grant funding opportunities to be able [18:32] to try to capture every single dollar [18:34] that we can out of grant funding from [18:35] the federal government. [18:39] >> So, with that, Mr. Chair, members of the [18:41] board, I'm happy to stand for any [18:42] questions. [18:42] >> All right. [18:45] This is the time of the evening where we [18:47] welcome uh, individuals from the public [18:49] to come up. just state your name in the [18:51] your uh city or township of residency uh [18:55] for the record and uh if your name is uh [18:59] somewhat complicated, please help for [19:00] the record in helping them spell that. I [19:03] know that our staff will greatly [19:05] appreciate that. Um so at this time, [19:08] feel free to come forward and uh ask any [19:11] questions pertaining to the county [19:12] budget or levy and uh board members will [19:15] happily and staff uh help guide you [19:17] through that. [19:32] Hello. [19:32] >> Good evening. [19:33] >> Hi. Uh, James Vanderindon, Monaceel. [19:38] Um, I guess I'm going to come at um some [19:41] different things with the with the [19:43] property tax increase here. I made some [19:45] notes. I'm not a public speaker. Um, [19:48] I've spoken here before and I'm I'm kind [19:50] of trying to hit all the all the [19:52] meetings. Um, [19:55] talking I've talked with uh Derek many [19:58] times. [20:00] Um, [20:02] so with this increase, I mean, a lot I [20:04] like those slides. A lot was said there [20:06] and I understand it's it's making [20:08] everything look like kind of woe is me [20:11] and how tough everything is and yada [20:13] yada yada and we all we all face that. I [20:15] know we all have to pay taxes, but at [20:18] the same time, [20:20] um, so my property taxes have increased [20:24] over 44% in the last 5 years. Um, and [20:29] I've spoken at a lot of these for the [20:31] last like 3 years. We know that's not [20:34] sustainable to continue with that. Would [20:37] everybody agree 44% in 5 years? It's [20:41] just it's not sustainable. People don't [20:44] get up and speak at these things just [20:46] because people don't like public [20:47] speaking like me. I mean, you should [20:49] have a thousand people here because [20:51] everyone I've ever talked to in Wright [20:54] County agrees with me. Everyone. I've [20:56] never had anybody say, "Yeah, it's fair [20:59] what they're doing." I don't have anyone [21:00] unless they're a public employee in the [21:02] county, in the city, or in the school. [21:06] Those are pretty much the only ones that [21:07] agree, and we're going to touch on that. [21:11] Um, [21:12] I think these times are hard for [21:14] meetings too in December when everything [21:17] for Christmas is going on right now. Um, [21:20] obviously it would be very difficult, [21:21] probably impossible to move these, but [21:23] if these were if these meetings were in [21:25] January or November, it would be a lot [21:27] better than December just for the public [21:30] record. [21:32] Um, [21:34] I just want to ask the people here, have [21:36] have any of you worked in the private [21:38] sector? [21:40] >> I had my own business. [21:41] >> Mhm. [21:41] >> Okay. [21:42] >> On my own business. [21:43] >> Okay. So, how many years in the private [21:45] sector if I could ask? [21:47] >> 35. 25. [21:49] >> Okay. [21:51] >> My entire career. [21:53] >> Okay. Jean. [21:55] >> 35. [21:56] >> Okay. Okay. You You guys were similar. [21:58] Okay. [21:59] >> Same. 35. [22:00] >> Okay. [22:01] I'm younger so mine's [laughter] mine [22:03] significantly smaller so I don't but you [22:07] know 15 16 years something like that so [22:09] >> okay okay so you guys will know what I'm [22:11] talking about I've never worked in the [22:13] public sector I've only worked in the [22:14] private sector okay and I've been [22:16] through a lot in the private sector I'm [22:18] 51 years old um [22:22] so [22:24] uh where should I go here um these incre [22:28] I'm speaking because these increases is [22:30] they don't seem to be stopping. I know [22:33] Ray County is trying to wrangle it in [22:35] better than the school and better than [22:37] the city. The city just passed [22:40] uh 7%. They said it was eight, now they [22:43] trimmed it down to seven. I it doesn't [22:45] matter. It's 7% is too. Anything over [22:47] like going backwards or staying even or [22:51] up to maybe I'll give you 2% a year, but [22:54] anything over that, the private sector [22:55] doesn't get increases like that. Okay? [22:58] like I'm lucky to get any increase every [23:00] year. [23:01] >> You know, I'm I I probably have a median [23:03] income for the county. Um tons of people [23:06] that would agree with with me on that. [23:09] Um so when these increases are like, you [23:12] know, 5 6 7 8 9 10%. Other counties are [23:15] seeing a lot more. It just it doesn't [23:18] make sense for the average person. It [23:20] just doesn't. Everybody agrees with the [23:22] same topic. Um, I know you guys are in a [23:25] tough position, but I mean, I have to [23:26] put it on public record and just expose [23:28] it for what it is. It's impossible. And [23:32] when I see this over 5 years, you know, [23:34] as a as a whole, I have to speak to it [23:36] cuz what's is it going to be? Is it [23:38] going to just continue? How about some [23:40] years where it's flat? How about some [23:41] years where we go backwards? Okay. And [23:44] if we can't do that, then we have to [23:47] limit government. Government has to [23:48] shrink, right? It has to shrink. It [23:51] can't continue where it is today. It'll [23:54] have to just go back to the very very [23:57] basic services, police, fire, whatever, [23:59] and everybody else here is gone. Does [24:02] that make sense? [24:07] >> Um, [24:09] so I've asked some people, what are like [24:11] three to 10 things that could be cut? [24:15] And I mean, I I pose it to everybody, [24:17] but for Wright County, what are three [24:19] three to 10 things that could be cut? We [24:21] won't take the time now to go over it [24:22] exactly. I've asked Eric, but you know, [24:25] in talking to some people, it sounds [24:27] like it's almost an impossibility in [24:28] Right County to cut anymore, which I [24:30] don't agree with, but with all with [24:32] mandates and things like that, I guess [24:34] it is what it is. Um, but I would ask [24:37] you continue to think what are three to [24:39] 10 things that could be cut because with [24:42] these kind of increases, things just [24:43] have to be cut and the public sector [24:46] also does not like to cut for some [24:48] reason. That happens all the time in the [24:49] private sector. I was at companies where [24:51] every year they would reduce headcount. [24:54] I mean it was just it was like a natural [24:56] thing. Now did I like that? No. But it [25:00] happens all the time in the private [25:01] sector. But the public sector doesn't [25:03] know how to cut. [laughter] [25:05] Does that make sense? They don't know [25:08] how to cut. It's like the private sector [25:10] does all the time. It's not favorable, [25:12] but it has to be also in the public [25:15] sector. They also have to cut. [25:20] Um [25:24] um [25:27] All right. Um [25:28] >> can I make a point to that? [25:30] >> Yeah, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm going [25:31] one way. I want this to be two-way. So [25:34] >> So [25:34] >> go ahead. [25:35] >> So we all come in here with we would [25:38] love zero or [25:40] >> or below. We would love to see that. [25:43] >> Yeah. [25:44] >> We're in a political position. So take [25:48] for instance uh the DMV this this year [25:52] with real ID. People were screaming that [25:56] they had to wait two 3 hours because [25:59] everybody decided to get their real ID. [26:01] Right. [26:02] >> Sure. [26:02] >> So let's just say we cut DMV and and [26:06] people are waiting three 4 hours to get [26:10] services. [26:11] >> They're going to be mad. [26:12] >> Sure. Let's say we cut the deputies. Um, [26:17] sure we could cut the deputies, but then [26:20] you have to have a certain amount of [26:21] people out there because then the public [26:24] screams at us like, "How come when I [26:27] have an accident, a deputy isn't coming [26:28] out to to get my information or I've had [26:33] a robbery." Look at Minneapolis. the [26:36] unemployment rate, right, or the the um [26:41] the overtime rate is ridiculous. [26:44] [snorts] [26:44] >> So, it's basically better to have more [26:48] deputies, and we're lucky that we're [26:50] full staffed here in Ray County. [26:52] >> But if we cut deputies, [26:54] then we're playing overtime. [26:57] >> And the same goes for probation. [27:00] Um it the same goes for all of our [27:02] social services. We're serving people [27:05] >> and so I am a nurse and I am a nurse. I [27:10] have my own company. [27:12] >> I can't in my own company I can't say [27:15] well I'm you know I I only want to serve [27:18] you for 4 hours you know versus eight. [27:23] Mhm. [27:24] >> So when you're in the service industry, [27:27] and most of us have been in the service [27:30] industry, [27:31] it's it's a different animal. And that's [27:36] and literally when I was on the school [27:39] board it and and during budgeting for uh [27:44] this county, I get sick to my stomach [27:48] cuz I know that people's [27:51] uh property taxes are going to go up and [27:54] that means people on fixed incomes, that [27:56] means seniors, that means the the mom uh [28:00] single mom. It is very very hard. But if [28:04] we don't we if we don't serve the people [28:08] then then we have other problems on the [28:13] other end. Do you get what I'm saying? [28:15] >> Yeah. Well, then you have to f then you [28:17] just have to focus on essential [28:18] services, the core services. [28:20] >> And that's right, James. I I'll agree [28:23] that there's things that we do in this [28:24] building that if it was my way, I [28:26] wouldn't do it. Like there's a lot of [28:28] things that we do on that second floor [28:29] that I don't think we should have [28:30] anything to do with it. But the state [28:33] mandates that we have to do it. That [28:35] there is a lot of things that [28:39] >> nope, not my problem. Go get a job. But [28:43] that's not our choice. And it's not even [28:46] our choice to to the level that we do [28:49] it. We don't even get a lot of [28:50] discretion with that. And then on top of [28:53] it, I think you'd be you'd be saddened [28:55] to know that when we take a kid out of a [28:58] house and we put them in foster care, [29:01] that a lot of that money is almost 100% [29:04] property tax dollars. That out of home [29:06] placement money. And that is to the [29:08] tunes of hundreds of thousands of [29:09] dollars. And literally one kid, one kid [29:13] can cost the taxpayers two $300,000 [29:17] just for one kid. Mhm. [29:19] >> And that's all property tax money. [29:22] That's not even state money. And that's [29:24] the stuff like it's it's the 1enters [29:27] that are driving the cost to the [29:30] taxpayers. And we don't have a choice of [29:32] saying yes or no. M [29:35] >> and that's the part that we're literally [29:37] people should be [29:39] the most upset about is it's the the 1% [29:42] of people that aren't doing the right [29:44] things as a parent that are costing us [29:46] law enforcement money that are costing [29:48] us money by putting kids in foster care [29:50] because they are bad parents because [29:51] they're using drugs and it's compiling [29:54] us is costing us in multiple areas [29:57] that that and that's just one example. [30:00] >> Yeah, that's sad. It [30:01] >> is sad and that's what's driving it. you [30:03] know. [30:03] >> Yeah. And I'm not emotionless. I mean, [30:05] [clears throat] you know, [30:06] >> and that's that's the hardest part, [30:08] >> but this these are the these are the [30:09] tough conversations. And this is where [30:11] it's tough. And you guys have tough jobs [30:13] and you're getting paid to do this. And [30:15] >> and I we have to I have to tell you that [30:18] we spent hours and hours at the state [30:22] capital to fight off some more mandates [30:25] that they wanted to shift to us, which [30:27] would have raised it even more. [30:29] >> Yeah. So, what about can I bring up what [30:31] about unfunded mandates, which I know [30:34] are a thing. How about saying we're not [30:36] going to do those because they're not [30:37] funded. [30:38] >> And that's where we we've been fighting [30:39] about because we legally don't have that [30:41] ability cuz in in a lot of cases, not [30:43] all of them, a lot of them, like I [30:44] talked to you on the phone, if we don't [30:46] do these things, we the e one of two [30:49] things happen. Either we get fined or [30:50] the state steps in and does it for us [30:52] and then bills us for it. And then on [30:54] top of it, you'll get penalties for it. [30:55] So, you don't want to get into that [30:57] point because then they're going to do [30:58] it at a higher rate and they're going to [30:59] pay you fines on it. [31:01] >> So, [31:01] >> you're talking about the unfunded [31:03] >> the unfunded mandates. Yep. The mandates [31:05] that literally an unfunded mandate is [31:07] out of home placements. That that is a a [31:10] mandate that we are required to deal [31:12] with kids uh mal treatment and having to [31:15] take them out of their homes. They don't [31:17] pay us any money to put them into these [31:20] into these placements. That's a 100% [31:22] property tax dollars and it's a mandate [31:25] from the state that says the counties [31:26] will take care of it and we were not [31:28] going to give you any money to do it. [31:30] >> In their next shift, they want to make [31:32] sure that we pay for all the elderly [31:36] people who have not saved up uh or have [31:40] lost their home and need to go into a [31:42] nursing home or are in their home uh and [31:45] need uh nursing care. They want to put [31:49] that the county [31:50] >> and it's going to be ugly and it's it's [31:52] going to happen not this next year but [31:55] the following year [31:57] >> and we have to do it [32:01] >> and that's the the biggest cry foul on [32:03] most of this stuff and I hate to pass [32:05] the buck because I really bugs me with [32:07] this is that we are on this continuous [32:10] uh pathway with the state and federal [32:13] government where they're like well we [32:15] don't have enough money so we'll just [32:17] make them do our work for us because we [32:19] can do that and let them find the money [32:21] to do it. And we only have one revenue [32:23] stream to do that and that's through [32:25] property taxes. And and this is where [32:28] we've we've spent a great deal of time [32:30] in DC in St. Paul trying to articulate [32:35] the challenges that you're having [32:36] myself, most all of us up here, we talk [32:39] about the same conversations I have with [32:40] you, James, about I I can't sustainably [32:43] see my property taxes go up any higher. [32:46] It's it's it's at a threshold that it's [32:48] not sustainable. [32:51] These expenses that the unfunded [32:53] mandates compiled with a unionized [32:56] government workforce has put the private [33:00] sector taxpayer at the uh they're maxed [33:04] out. They [33:05] >> that's where that's where pretty much [33:07] have gotten to [33:08] >> gotten to the point. Yeah. Because [33:09] you're not getting a five a four, five, [33:12] 6% increase every year where most [33:15] government workers has never gotten [33:16] that. [33:16] >> I I've never either. I That's I I mean I [33:19] don't I don't even know what it'd be [33:20] like to see and government workers. [33:22] There's times where they've gotten [33:23] contracts where they'll get eight in the [33:25] last years they've gotten 7 8 9% [33:28] increases. [33:28] >> That makes no sense. [33:29] >> It doesn't and that's where I mean [33:31] >> I mean somebody can explain that to me, [33:32] but that makes no sense. [33:34] >> That's where the problem is they but [33:36] they can in a lot of them because they [33:38] have the ability to have binding [33:39] arbitration. [33:40] >> Let's talk about that. And this is a [33:42] touchy subject. [33:45] I'll probably get hate mail or something [33:46] for this. [33:49] Um, but it seems nobody wants to talk [33:50] about Yeah. the public sector and what [33:52] they're paid. So, and I have what [33:55] everybody makes right here, which is a [33:58] lot. [33:59] >> Dozens and dozens and dozens six six [34:01] figure incomes, some over 200,000. Um, [34:05] ridiculous. Ridiculous. As public [34:08] servants, they should not public servant [34:10] workers should not be the best paid just [34:13] because they're public servants. Okay, [34:15] that that doesn't matter. I mean, [34:17] they're serving the public first. That's [34:18] why they have those positions, but it's [34:20] not to be the wealthiest. [34:23] They're serving the people. They should [34:25] have average incomes. That's what I [34:27] believe. [34:29] Um, so there's a lot of public sector [34:32] unions within Wright County with at at [34:35] every county, city, school. There's a [34:37] lot of lot of unionization. I've never [34:39] been in a union. I'm not against unions, [34:42] but I'm against what I see what they're [34:44] doing with with wages. [34:46] Um, I understand there is approximately [34:48] seven public unions within Ray County. [34:51] >> Mhm. [34:52] >> I mean, that's a lot [34:53] >> within the county government. Yeah. [34:55] >> Yeah. So, why does there need to be so [34:56] much unionization within the county in [34:59] the public sector? Why does that have to [35:01] be? [35:01] >> We don't even have control over it. any [35:03] any group of employees, whether they're [35:06] supervisors together, has the ability to [35:08] collective bargain if they choose to. [35:10] So, I mean, at any given day, I could [35:12] wake up tomorrow and they could file [35:13] paperwork and we could have five more [35:15] unions created just as long as they are [35:17] not as long as they're at equal levels [35:19] from a supervisory perspective, they can [35:21] collective bargain uh per Minnesota law. [35:23] >> Yeah. So, from what you said and a lot [35:26] of people have said, they're stressing [35:27] the taxpayer in Wright County. They're [35:30] stressing it because Wright County can't [35:32] afford them anymore. They can't afford [35:34] to pay them. They can't afford the [35:35] benefits. They can't afford the [35:37] increases. So, something needs to change [35:40] there. Um, need to reduce. I mean, if [35:44] it's reducing headcount, reducing wages, [35:47] reducing benefits, pushing back on the [35:48] unions, that has to be done. [35:51] >> And it and it is, James. And I I I [35:53] James, I really wish I had in front of [35:55] me, I'd like to show you what some of [35:56] the original offers were for some of [35:58] these unions. You'd find it just utterly [36:00] disgusting. [36:01] >> Give me an idea. [36:02] >> Give you an idea. [36:04] Colas of seven, eight percent colas on [36:07] top of range movements of four 5% range [36:10] movements [36:11] >> wanting uh longevity pay of $1,000 a [36:15] year after 10 years and in increasing [36:18] every year after that. [36:19] >> Uh adding more PTO on top of it. Like [36:23] there there's no quench to the asks. I [36:25] mean, it it's it's horrific on what they [36:28] ask. [36:28] >> And those are annually those asks are [36:31] like that. [36:31] >> Oh, every contract cycle. Yep. They ask [36:33] for more and more. It's I've I've even [36:36] had a couple bargain units that ask for [36:38] postretirement health benefits, wanting [36:41] us to pay for their health insurance [36:42] from 55 until they retire. [36:45] >> Mhm. [36:46] >> Which would cost us tens of millions of [36:48] dollars. It would bankrupt us. I mean, [36:51] it the asks are that egregious. They're [36:54] that outrageous. [36:56] >> We're very lucky to have uh the uh [37:00] negotiating team we have to get it down [37:02] to at a reasonable rate. [37:04] >> Um but yes, and when I was on the school [37:07] board for 14 years negotiating with [37:10] Education Minnesota, it is a hard [37:13] [sighs] [37:14] [snorts] hard sell. Like it it's it's in [37:19] it's really crazy. Mhm. [37:21] >> But we're we're stuck. [37:25] >> We're stuck. [37:27] >> Well, I mean, there's a lot of things [37:28] that need to go away. I mean, pay equity [37:30] law in Minnesota that that hand that [37:32] handcuffs us. Uh the binding arbitration [37:35] handcuffs us. There's so many aspects to [37:38] decide. And then the other side of it, [37:40] the way unions work to determine their [37:42] pay is they use other government [37:44] entities to use as comparables. Well, [37:47] all it takes is one or two government [37:49] agencies that have elected officials [37:51] that have spouses that are members of a [37:54] union that don't really care and want to [37:56] want to feed their own. And it just it's [37:58] tit for tat. It there's nothing [38:00] tempering it. There's no [38:03] return on investment or profit loss to [38:06] determine what what is affordable to it. [38:09] >> That that is the problem with it. [38:10] >> Well, in a private sector, you'll go out [38:12] of business potentially. in the public [38:15] sector, they won't go out of business. [38:17] Okay? It's very unlikely that the county [38:19] is going to go out of business. And [38:21] that's what that's why public sector [38:22] unions don't work. They don't they don't [38:25] work for what we're talking about here. [38:27] >> And that's the problem. But it's from [38:29] from the federal government to the state [38:31] government all the way down. They're [38:33] they're you're unionized. And and that's [38:34] where it's really [38:37] >> it's always been a problem, but it's [38:38] getting to the point now where [38:39] >> it doesn't make sense to have a public [38:41] sector union. It doesn't make sense. [38:44] >> Well, it doesn't make sense. Well, [38:46] especially given the rules that we have [38:48] along alongside of it that doesn't even [38:50] give us the ability to determine any [38:52] level of affordability to it. [38:54] >> Mhm. Exactly. [38:56] >> But we are in a union type county [38:59] because we have a lot of construction [39:01] workers. I think all my kids are in the [39:04] Teamsters union [39:05] >> and they do get really nice raises. [39:08] >> They work hard for their money. M [39:11] >> um and that is a a driving factor when [39:16] you know other we have teamsters that [39:19] look at other teamsters. [39:21] >> Um so there is that [39:25] we have a lot of construction workers in [39:27] Ray County, [39:28] >> right? And I can choose to not use their [39:30] businesses, [39:31] >> right? I can choose to not use [39:33] >> private sector businesses but I can't [39:35] choose I mean I can move out of Right [39:37] County which I may one day [39:39] >> but I do like it but there's problems as [39:43] we're talking about here [39:44] >> unsustainable problems. [39:47] >> Um most people again won't talk about [39:49] won't talk about it because they don't [39:50] want to public speak or have their name [39:53] out there. Um, so some things I've seen [39:57] is in Reich Reichight County staff [40:00] average salary is about 39% higher than [40:02] the national average. [40:05] >> Minnesota inherently is 39 is is above [40:07] the national average too. So that's I [40:09] mean it's hard because you can't compare [40:11] Mississippi with Minnesota. Same reason [40:13] we can't compare Minnesota with [40:14] California either. I mean we [40:16] >> that's a tough that's a difficult one to [40:18] to digest. [40:20] >> Yeah. Um, [40:24] all right. Um, so about three quarters [40:28] of the county staff are union. [40:30] >> Yeah. [40:31] >> Yep. [40:32] >> Okay. [40:32] >> Yeah. [40:33] >> Give or take. Yeah. [40:34] >> Give or take. [40:34] >> I'd say about 70%. Yeah. [40:36] >> That's a lot. That's a lot that [40:38] >> Yeah. We have eight bargaining units. [40:39] Yeah. [40:40] >> Give or take. [40:41] >> So, our hands are tied really heavily [40:42] there. [40:44] >> That's tough. That's tough. [40:49] Um, [40:52] all right. [40:54] Talked about a lot of this. Um, so I'm [40:57] Yeah, I'm coming I'm coming here too [41:00] just saying that, you know, auto auto [41:02] insurance rates are going up like home [41:05] insurance just doubled this year. [41:07] >> Um, there's a lot of things home [41:09] maintenance. I mean, I maintain my house [41:11] to the littlest that I can just because [41:13] things are so expensive now. They're [41:15] just too expensive. [41:17] um any kind of repairs you have. I mean, [41:19] those prices have probably doubled in [41:20] the past 5 years at least. Um so there's [41:23] all that going on top of what the county [41:26] and city and school want to do for [41:27] increases. Auto repairs of mass massive [41:30] increases, auto purchases. I mean, I [41:32] only drive used cars just because who [41:34] can afford a new car price, [41:37] you know? I've never had a new car in my [41:39] life. [41:41] Um because you can't afford it. Um, so [41:44] just all all these things we've talked [41:46] about we talked about the unfunded [41:48] mandates. You've kind of addressed that [41:49] a little bit. Um, yeah. So I don't know [41:53] getting back to just because there's so [41:55] much like how much of the the wages for [41:59] Wright County um are part of the [42:01] property tax. [42:01] >> So like the the biggest [42:03] >> the biggest chunk [42:04] >> the biggest chunk of the county's budget [42:05] is personnel costs. between benefits and [42:09] wages, you're at about 48 49% of the [42:12] county budget is personnel cost. [42:14] >> And that's where you realize which is [42:15] which of that 70% of it is driven by [42:18] union contracts, give or take a [42:20] percentage or two. So yes, that is the [42:23] biggest driver of the county budget. [42:25] Absolutely. [42:26] >> Yeah. Um so with the increases they ask [42:29] for, is there some kind of entitlement [42:31] that's part of that? [42:34] So when when you're going into the [42:36] negotiations, [42:37] you your first thing that you're [42:39] battling is what did your sister [42:42] counties doing? What is the market [42:43] driving? Because what they what they're [42:44] going to what your uh opposition is [42:48] going to use is what is Sterns County [42:50] paying? What is Sherburn County paying? [42:52] What is Mer County paying? And they're [42:54] going to handpick the highest of the [42:56] ones around you. Now, I can't [42:58] necessarily say that that those are all [43:01] done in the uh same political climate [43:05] that Wright County is. I I I can't I [43:07] mean, I know for a fact that there's a [43:09] lot of county boards across the state of [43:11] Minnesota that have board members that [43:13] have family members that are part of [43:14] these unions. So essentially they may be [43:16] voting and they may be inclined to make [43:19] decisions that are more beneficial to [43:21] that union because their kids work for [43:23] work in that union group and they are [43:25] not bound to disclose that. [43:27] >> Mhm. And that that when that happens, it [43:30] it creates an artificial. I go to [43:32] association Minnesota counties and I've [43:34] stood up and I listen to multiple [43:36] commissioners talk about how the [43:39] probationary agents should be or [43:41] association Minnesota counties should [43:43] support allowing the uh probationary [43:46] agents to uh have a retirement age of 55 [43:50] versus 65 because their wives were [43:54] probation agents and they work hard. And [43:56] I'm thinking, you as a commissioner, are [43:57] you talking you as as her husband or are [43:59] you talking as you as a commissioner? [44:00] Are you you're not representing the [44:02] taxpayers here? That's how bad it is out [44:05] there. You the biggest thing that you [44:07] have right there is making sure that you [44:09] have elected officials that are working [44:10] for you as a taxpayer, not [laughter] [44:13] for the employees or their family [44:15] members in an elected official capacity. [44:18] >> I mean, that's that that that's a real [44:22] situation out there. Uh Sterns County [44:25] passed a cola of 5% each year for the [44:28] next three years. That's just the cola. [44:30] That doesn't take into consideration [44:33] their range movement of I believe it's [44:35] like 3.75 or 4%. So each of those [44:38] employees will get 9% if they're not [44:40] topped out each year for the next three [44:43] years. So a new employee is going to get [44:45] 27% [44:46] in the next three years pay increase. [44:49] Doesn't that blow your mind? [44:50] >> Yeah. I don't know how that makes sense. [44:52] Yes. [44:52] >> Can anyone else kind of address that? [44:54] How that would make sense? [44:56] >> It doesn't. [44:57] >> Bad negotiating. [44:59] >> Yeah. [45:00] >> But but when all it takes is one county [45:02] to be a bad negotiator and now we're [45:04] held liable because they're going to use [45:05] that against us, [45:06] >> right? Again, the taxpayers are [45:08] stressed. Yep. [45:09] >> We I mean, we can't handle that. We [45:12] can't handle that. [45:13] >> That too. [45:14] >> Yeah. So, I just want that to be noted. [45:17] Um [45:20] so uh wrapping up here. Appreciate [45:23] giving me time everybody um that agrees [45:26] or disagrees with me. Um [45:29] so uh what do I want to do here lastly? [45:33] Um [45:35] I guess [45:37] [snorts] finding ways to make cuts. [45:40] Maybe uh maybe some kind of data driven [45:42] survey would be a good thing to all the [45:44] residents of Wright County. put that out [45:46] there because it seems like in pe with [45:48] people that work in the public sector [45:51] like nobody wants to have their their [45:53] name on something that's cut, you know? [45:56] They don't want to say this park was [45:57] closed by someone and well who closed [46:00] that park. Oh, Mark Smith did. Oh, his [46:02] name is Nobody wants their name on it, [46:04] right? Who wants to be that guy? Um, so [46:07] maybe if some kind of data-driven survey [46:08] was put across right county and got a [46:11] bunch of feedback and say we're looking [46:13] at these three things to shut down, [46:15] which one should we do? Oh, this one has [46:16] 59%, this one's got 20, you know, blah [46:19] blah blah. Then you then you wouldn't [46:21] have anybody's name on it. Maybe just [46:23] just one small idea. I've been doing [46:25] some research on this. Um, and then also [46:29] just uh continuing to uh firmly request [46:33] push back on services that the county [46:35] has, wages, costs, fees, [46:39] continue to renegotiate all that down as [46:41] much as possible. That that's a [46:43] constant. I know you guys are doing [46:44] that. um [46:48] have a lot more that I can go through [46:49] but I I feel like I've used up my time [46:51] and I've said a lot [46:52] >> to the other thing is is you know like [46:56] for sure our highway department [46:59] um and in maintenance those those folks [47:04] will make more money in the private [47:06] sector. [47:07] >> They will. So they come in here at a [47:10] lower rate. [47:11] >> Uh they're doing it to serve. Um there [47:15] are people that are plowing our roads [47:18] and [47:20] so from there's there are a lot of jobs [47:24] that are paid significantly less than if [47:28] they would go out and get a job uh in [47:30] the private sector. So, I don't want [47:34] >> I don't want a broad brush over our our [47:37] employees because they are serving. [47:42] >> It is a to be a social worker is a [47:45] gut-wrenching job and my husband's a [47:47] retired deputy. It's a gut-wrenching [47:49] job. [47:50] >> Uh there are things that, you know, they [47:53] have to deal with the rest of their life [47:55] that that they can never unsee. [47:59] So there is there is a [48:02] >> but if the taxpayer can't afford it, I'm [48:05] sorry. I mean, I have to take I have to [48:07] take again talking to numerous people [48:09] about this kind of stuff. I have to take [48:11] the emotion out of it, [48:13] >> right? [48:14] >> We have to take the emotion out because [48:16] yeah, I'm I'm a good guy. I'm a father. [48:18] >> I've got two great kids, a wonderful [48:20] wife, a great family. I mean, [48:24] but we h I have to take the emotion out, [48:28] step back into it. The taxpayers are [48:31] stressed. [48:32] >> Something needs to change. [48:35] Okay. [48:36] >> And I'm sorry. I don't mean to keep [48:38] looking at you with that comment, [48:40] >> but take out the emotion and come back [48:42] into it. That's what I have to do [48:44] because yeah, I love my neighbors. [48:47] >> I love my church. I'm a good guy. I'm a [48:49] Christian. Okay. Some of you might not [48:52] think I am with things I've said. I [48:53] don't think I've said anything terrible. [48:55] >> No, [48:55] >> I think I say things that majority of [48:58] people agree with. [49:00] >> But we have to get I have to take the [49:02] emotion out, step back into it, relook [49:05] at it, and realize the taxpayer stressed [49:08] 44% increase over five years. [49:11] Unsustainable from everything I hear in [49:14] those slides. I mean, it could be [49:16] another five 10% every year for like [49:19] ever. [49:20] I mean, so then let's limit back [49:24] government, back to core services. [49:26] Everyone else is gone. [49:28] And that's and that's the way it is. [49:30] Emotionless [49:30] >> and let me tell you, we have already [49:33] made more cuts in this year than we've [49:35] ever made before. And there's more [49:36] coming. And I'm tell I'm not again [49:40] without emotion. There has to be. [49:42] >> There has to be. There has to be because [49:44] there there is not to your point, it [49:46] isn't sustainable. And at the end of the [49:48] day, we're going to have a bigger [49:50] discussion about what [49:54] is our [49:57] case load mandates, especially from our [50:00] second floor, like how how quick do we [50:03] really have to get back to that SNAP [50:04] applicant? You know what, because I want [50:07] to make sure that you know what, if the [50:08] if the threshold is 30 days, well, we're [50:11] going to be right at 30. You might be [50:13] 31. I mean, I'm going to I want to push [50:15] that envelope. I I from areas of that [50:17] area we have to because we can't I mean [50:19] we have to start looking at what is our [50:21] what is a our response time on things [50:24] because we just can't do it. We we are [50:26] doing a bigger dive into it than we've [50:28] done before because it isn't [50:29] sustainable. And to the point that [50:34] I might disagree with Commissioner [50:35] Holland a little bit on on any employee [50:37] right now there the biggest thing that [50:40] really also on top of it that you didn't [50:41] even bring up is PAR. The the public [50:44] employee retirement account is another [50:46] huge drain on us that that that the [50:48] private sector doesn't have. You don't [50:50] have a guaranteed pension, do you? [50:51] >> No. [50:52] >> I mean, hardly anybody does. [50:53] >> Hardly anybody. Nobody does. Everybody [50:54] in the priv every business in the [50:55] private sector is getting rid of it. [50:56] >> Right. 60 years in Dow and doesn't [50:58] anymore. [50:59] >> Exactly. And that's one thing that that [51:00] that contribution that we come that [51:02] comes out of your monthly property tax [51:04] is a dollar amount that is [51:09] something that we that you're paying for [51:11] other people to retire that that's a [51:12] benefit that you don't get and you're [51:15] not even getting service for that and [51:17] it's cost an exuberant amount. Uh I [51:20] don't have the number off the top of our [51:21] head of how much we pay in annually in [51:23] depra but I know it's in the uh eight [51:26] figures. Uh so it's it's a exuberant [51:29] amount of money. [snorts] [51:31] >> Yeah. Um and I'll just I I found my one [51:34] of my lists here. So again I'll just end [51:37] with this. Sorry not on a happy hey you [51:40] know have a great merry Christmas [51:42] everybody at the same time. Um I'm not a [51:46] bad guy. I'm not a bad guy. Um, and I'm [51:49] just I'm just a realist. I'm being very [51:50] realistic about this. Um, so again, look [51:54] at shutting down new and old programs. [51:56] Okay? Stop services, stop projects, [52:00] close buildings, stop maintenance, don't [52:02] buy vehicles, stop street highway [52:05] updates. Um, there's a wide range of [52:08] staff cuts and removals that could [52:09] happen if needed. Reduce staff benefits [52:12] and bonuses. No new hires. Put a freeze [52:15] on it. double up the workloads on people [52:18] that are already here like they do in [52:19] the private sector for the last 20 [52:21] years. [52:23] I've had my workload doubled up more [52:25] times than you can imagine. [52:27] That's how it is. [52:30] I mean, it doesn't I don't want it to be [52:32] that way, but that's how it is in the [52:34] private sector and in the public sector [52:36] isn't entitled to anything better. [52:39] James, I would really like you to meet [52:41] up with Derek. Um because I have to say [52:45] um this year [52:48] it started out at 14%. [52:50] >> Yeah, that's crazy. [52:51] >> We because we have new administration, [52:54] they did a deep dive and they kept [52:57] telling our leaders to go back to the [52:59] table cuz our goal was 14% was not [53:05] acceptable. And we're very surprised [53:09] that they could get it down to 5.5. [53:12] >> Uh we all wanted it lower, but from when [53:15] we first got the 14%, we were so happy [53:21] to see that they just so he can tell you [53:24] the staff that we that we eliminated. We [53:28] he can tell you how we cut in certain [53:32] areas. You can't see that, but Derek can [53:35] certainly go through that list because [53:37] it was [53:39] >> amazing. [clears throat] [53:40] >> And that is something Ray County hasn't [53:43] done in a long time. And we're very [53:45] grateful for our administration and our [53:48] leadership because they saw what our [53:51] goal was [53:53] >> because it really could have been a lot [53:54] more. [53:55] >> I understand. [53:57] >> Understand. But and like I say, and it [54:00] takes all three. It takes the school [54:02] districts. It takes a city and it takes [54:03] the county all collectively to do that [54:05] to be able to get the total aviation cuz [54:07] like to your point on the phone we [54:08] talked earlier it's that holistic [54:10] statement, you know, cuz even if we were [54:12] at zero, your your your taxes still [54:14] would have went up in double digits [54:16] because of the other two [54:17] >> possibly. Yeah. [54:18] >> Yeah. And that's it. [54:20] >> And that's and that's what's hard [54:21] because like here I'm I'm coming to the [54:22] county one, I'm coming to the school [54:24] one, I'm coming to the city one. And I [54:25] mean, it took me years just to figure [54:27] out like where the ball where the where [54:29] the ball's moving, you know, and most [54:31] people don't even want to take time to [54:32] figure that out. [54:34] >> They'll just say, "Oh, they're a bunch [54:35] of crooks and I guess I'll just have to [54:36] pay it." [54:37] >> Well, that's the hardest thing cuz like [54:39] that approach if if if nobody like you [54:42] does what you're doing, it it assumes [54:44] that people don't care and then you can [54:46] just keep spending. [54:46] >> Well, right. [54:47] >> That's the reason I told you on the [54:48] phone, James, I need you to come. I told [54:50] you. I told you. I need you to come. [54:51] Everybody I talk to agrees with me and I [54:54] mean I don't have you know millions of [54:57] friends but I have quite a few so they [54:59] [laughter] all they all think the same [55:01] way. Can I go through my list? [55:02] >> Yes. [55:03] >> Okay. But I appreciate your comment. Um [55:08] let's see. Um we talked about the [55:10] workloads. Re reorganize staff to make [55:12] reductions if needed or just reorganize [55:15] to make them more efficient. Uh [55:17] eliminate departments and heads of [55:18] departments if needed. Um, I see that I [55:21] saw that happen constantly in the [55:23] private sector. Um, outsource things if [55:26] savings are there to private companies [55:27] or nonprofits. Close small parks if [55:30] needed. I mean, that's that's a tough [55:32] one, but if you have to, you know, just [55:35] don't put my name on it, but [laughter] [55:37] you know, you know what I mean. Um, stop [55:39] renovations. Um, reduce operating hours [55:42] and days that buildings and staff are [55:45] there, buildings are open and staff are [55:47] there. Reduce them. Um, let's see. [55:51] Reduce staff from full-time hours down [55:52] to part-time hours. [55:55] Um, remove any overtime. Just say [55:58] nothing over 40 ever. And people, again, [56:01] I'm taking the emotion out of it. [56:03] Somebody's like, "Oh, somebody didn't [56:05] get here. They were supposed to be here [56:06] in 5 minutes. It took them 15 minutes." [56:08] >> Except for the snow plowing. [56:10] >> That's a tough [laughter] one. Even [56:11] though I'm a snowmoiler, so I don't I'm [56:14] okay if they wait. But anyways, yes, I [56:17] totally follow that. Um, but yeah, [56:21] anything over 40, just you can't do it. [56:23] Stop overtime. Um, we already talked [56:27] about that. Um, [56:29] those don't apply here. Um, and then [56:33] just to finish, cut anything that's [56:36] woke. Any of this woke agenda kind of [56:38] stuff, just just cut that. We're a [56:41] conservative county. Let's let's cut [56:43] that out right off the top. So, and that [56:46] should be enough said and I'll end on [56:48] that. So, thanks for your time. I went [56:50] way over. Thank you for who's here to [56:52] listen to me go on, but I'm passionate [56:55] about this. [56:56] >> Thanks for coming. [56:57] >> You know, I have kids that, you know, I [56:59] look at them, how are they going to even [57:01] able to afford a home one day? I'd like [57:04] them to be in Wright County, but like [57:06] what are their property taxes going to [57:08] be? You know, I'm worried for them. you [57:10] know, they're in their early 20s, but [57:11] like somebody a 20-some person should [57:14] not be buying even buying a a three, [57:17] four, $500,000 home. They should they [57:19] shouldn't even be doing that. They they [57:21] don't have that. What if one of them, [57:22] like I always hope, what if one of them [57:24] wants to stay home? You know, they have [57:26] children, they want to stay home. [57:27] Somebody gets sick, they want to stay [57:28] home. It is impossible today in Wright [57:31] County to live and operate on one [57:34] income. I mean, I've seen that threshold [57:36] pass now. It is impossible in this [57:39] county to live on one income [57:41] >> in the state [57:42] >> in probably the state. And that has to [57:44] change because we want we want people to [57:48] be able to stay home if they need to to [57:50] raise their families. [57:51] >> Yeah. [57:51] >> Okay. To to care for loved ones. [57:54] >> They can't do it today. It's impossible. [57:56] I I don't know what people are going to [57:57] do over the next 10 years. So, thank [57:59] you, [58:00] >> James. I really appreciate coming here [58:02] tonight. I we hope we can get [laughter] [58:04] more people out come out here to to say [58:07] what needs to be said cuz things have [58:09] [clears throat] got to change. [58:10] Appreciate it. [58:11] >> Thank you. [58:11] >> Thank you. [58:13] >> Anyone else want to speak? [58:16] Anyone else want to speak? [58:20] Anyone else want to speak? [58:22] >> I would like a raise. [58:25] >> I was kidding. I said I would like a [58:27] raise. [58:27] >> A raise. I hear you. [58:30] All right. [clears throat] [58:31] Well, with that, uh, if there's no other [58:33] people to speak at the public hearing, [58:35] we'll close the public hearing and bring [58:37] it up to the dis here. Uh, is there any [58:40] parting comments here before we close [58:42] the truth and taxation meeting for the [58:44] evening? [58:45] [snorts] [58:47] >> All right. Well, with that, [58:48] >> presentation. [58:49] >> Yes. Well done, staff. [58:50] >> Hard work. [58:51] >> Yes. [58:51] >> Yes. [58:53] >> Appreciated that. [58:55] And can you email us so we can email [58:57] that to our cons to our administrators? [59:02] >> All right. Well, with that we will get [59:04] your [59:05] >> presentation. Yes, of course. Thank you. [59:06] Yep. Well, with that we'll adjourn the [59:09] uh truth and taxation meeting at 657.