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The Chisago County Board is taking a wait and see attitude for now,  on sounding the alarm about ripple effects from the actions tied to state and federal budgeting.  It’s a sure bet there will be implications to face but without specifics there is nothing to base any statements on—yet.  The County Board last week discussed drafting a position paper on the across the board reductions taking place in various federal programs, and what will trickle down.  

In any given year Chisago County’s budget can be about 45 percent federal revenue, as the county runs a lot of programs and implements policy that starts from above. Board Chair Dan Dahlberg commented that it appears “everything is being pushed our way,” yet he  cautioned, “...a thousand things could happen” over the next two years when the Congressional reconciliation measure, the One Big Beautiful Bill takes effect. 

Commissioner Marlys Dunne agreed that there are a couple years to digest the impacts of what’s coming and she wants to see  specifics.

Commissioner Ben Montzka said from what he knows there will be a huge tax increase needed locally in order for the county to keep providing the services it is mandated to by law.  The choice is bear the burden or break the law and quit providing the program and go to jail, he said.  At the least;   if the state and federal budgeting process can’t support the expenditures needed, the county ought to be let off the hook to make these programs happen.

Commissioner Jim Swenson said he’s “being up front with people” and advising city and school policymakers to keep taxes low so the financial hit that Swenson fully expects isn't insurmountable.  The new paperwork alone to allow citizens to remain on some social programs may require added fulltime staff. 

“I don’t know what world they are in,” he complained of the decision-makers passing the buck.

County Health & Human Services Director Bob Benson said naturally because the department is such a large part of the budget it is also in the crosshairs for cuts and greater costs.  The truancy issue is shifting to more of a child welfare response than child protection. Children under age 12 not attending school and considered “truant” will see a reconfigured response that is more costly. 

Benson said MNChoices and how the county gets paid to assess applicants is changing.  The state Commissioner must develop a proposal for long term care consultation services for counties’ reimbursement levels.  In aging and disability services the training requirements grow and will cost money to get managers on a cycle of passing evaluations every year.  Medicaid changes could double the workload for each enrollee, Benson continued.  Chisago County has 8,828 individuals in Medicaid.  SNAP benefits administrative costs the county bears are expected to increase.  The federal share is dipping to 25 percent and counties will pick up 75 percent.  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance issued in Chisago County  was $4 million in 2024.

In other business, the Board approved buying out a home on the northeast corner of Lofton Avenue/Stacy Road.  The four way intersection is where a new round-about is being built. The county engineer said the alternative to buying the house for about $360,000 from willing sellers,  was to relocate power lines and poles, in order to create stormwater features for about $500,000.

Culver’s is placing a restaurant in North Branch and a representative asked for a variance on a Falcon Avenue and Highway 95 turn lane. The commissioners felt the public safety aspects were too important to deviate from the length the county access management code calls for and denied the request.

Ashlee Ricci of Chisago City was appointed to the water supply advisory committee vacancy for District 3.

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