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The complaint most often heard at taxation hearings, as Chisago County residents express concerns about taxes is-- where will this all stop? County Commissioners heard projections from the county auditor and treasurer last week about where taxes realistically could stop in 2018. That's as far as they went for the financial discussion.

Levies projected for the year 2018 could easily be double what they are now, depending on what happens, on how much capital is needed for projects and additional staff Chisago County wants to take on.

There were four scenarios put to the County Board as part of a presentation on long term financial considerations. Some scenarios included numerous road projects, but no jail; some had no bonded debt and only taking projects out of cash.

All levy projections had personnel costs increasing seven percent each year. The commissioners also saw what the levy is expected to grow to without any changes to existing debt, or basically nothing additional being done from this year's budget. And that "core" county levy was still increasing from $31.3 million today to $54.4 million.

Treasurer Lee Olson told commissioners the presentation, "...puts numbers to our commitments, it is a starting point."

Commissioner Lynn Schultz observed that ultimately portions of different scenarios may be adopted, so no single projection is going to be the goal.

Auditor Dennis Freed said the projections were based on "not much" coming out of the state legislature as far as local government aid. Levy estimates also rely on little growth in the number of taxable parcels. Freed noted most costs for a new jail, "...won't be felt until past 2018," due to debt service for bonding being rolled into and filling in as earlier debt coverage needs expire.

County Administrator John Moosey addressed the County Board, "Government costs keep marching on and on. It is up to you to decide what is priority for the county."

The Board scheduled a meeting yesterday, Oct. 31, as a work session to try to finalize the 2008 budget and levy. A preliminary levy of a 14 percent increase for 2008 was set in September. This may be reduced before being finalized but it may not be made greater.

FYI...

The Chisago County Board approved a 14 percent hike in levy from 2004 to 2005 with Commissioner Robinson opposed.

The 2006 levy was adopted at an 8.3 percent increase over the previous year's, with Commissioners Montzka and Olseen opposed.

In adopting this year's levy (2007) Commissioner Robinson made the motion for an 11 percent increase from 2006, with Montzka and Olseen opposed.

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