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The Chisago County Board last week adjusted the $2 million it had put into broadband needs, from the $13 million the county received in federal ARPA monies. County budget and finance committee  review of requests February 8 for funding for a public works shop in Harris and sheriff office personnel needs are behind the recommendation that the broadband fund be tapped to cover these.

The county commissioners voted 5-0 to approve with Jim Swenson participating by Internet.

The addition of sheriff recruitment and hiring incentives of about $55,000, $900,000 for the building in Harris, along with extra $15,000 expense in the North Branch-Harris trail bid, and purchase of a 3500 pickup for county public works; all will have the net effect of drawing down the broadband allocation.

Commissioner Ben Montzka stressed he’d like to see the broadband grant requirements and guidelines in writing,  so communities are all getting the exact same information if and when they apply for broadband aid.  A standardized form will be developed by county staff. His concerns were that when spending federal dollars the county has to be extra vigilant that all are treated equally and that prerequisites to qualify for the ARPA dollars are trackable and specific.

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