By Sara Quam
The Rock County Board of Commissioners joined the Luverne City Council's regular meeting Tuesday to discuss preliminary 2002 budgets for law enforcement, library and recreation.
Ultimately, the city and county will each pay $360,014 for law enforcement; $133,882 for dispatching services; $72,018 for the Rock County Community Pool and Fitness Center, and $102,458 for the library.
The two law enforcement budgets increased by a combined $24,183; fitness center increased by $10,994, and library increased by $5,016.
Although the budgets are just proposed at this time, the discussion did not meet with objections, although County Board members Ron Boyenga and Bob Jarchow weren't present. The budgets will be voted on during the final budget setting meetings at the end of the year.
The budget increases over last year don't reflect huge percentages and contain standard salary and health insurance cost increases as well as capital items.
During the law enforcement discussion, Luverne Mayor Glen Gust asked whether Sheriff Ron McClure saw a need in the department for a drug-sniffing dog.
McClure said "absolutely," although it isn't part of the 2002 budget. The department is first looking into grants or fund-raising to get and train a dog. An officer would also have to be trained and paid for keeping the dog at all times as a family pet.
The start-up cost for such a dog is at least $18,000, and that doesn't include overtime for the officer who is called to use the dog outside of his regular shift or for health care for the animal and standard expenses like food.
McClure said the dog gives the department security when searching vehicles on traffic stops, for instance. If the dog gives a signal, that's considered probable cause to search.
County Board Chair Ken Hoime said, "As much as we don't like the drug issue, it's here and it's not going away and we need to deal with it - be on top of it."
A future issue for county law enforcement is the cost of housing prisoners. The county now pays the Nobles County Jail in Worthington $60 a day to keep local prisoners. If that jail has no room, Pipestone takes Rock County prisoners at the same cost.
With Nobles County constructing a new facility that will be bigger and employ more people, the daily cost will likely increase within a couple of years.
Pool and fitness center
As joint owners of the Rock County Community Pool and Fitness Center, the County Board and City Council reviewed the proposed budget that includes a provision to increase membership rates by 20 percent.
The budget also assumes a worst-case scenario, factoring in lost revenue from cancelled memberships after the rate hike takes effect.
However, if members don't drop off as management fears, the center will be able to keep putting money in reserves for capital improvement, for building improvements or repairs.
If members want to opt out of year-long contracts, they will be notified of the option. As another policy change, members will be told when their contract is about to expire so they know when notice has to be given. This year, the facility will see newer equipment as well.
Making improvements like a ramp entrance to the pool and building a separate water park are still on the wish list of the boards to increase enjoyment of the facility.
City business
The Luverne City Council continued with informational items after the County Board was done.
The BMX bike track will likely be removed from the park area after a meeting on Sept. 2. Participation in the track has declined and after hearing of insurance risks, the city and track users are reportedly willing to let it go.
Luverne's Web site will be updated within a few weeks and will include new material. It can be found at cityofluverne.org.
The city, county and school are forming an Armory Task Force to look at what is needed in a possible new facility that could have room for more community-oriented activities. The city, county and school each need to find four community members willing to serve on the task force.
Alley lighting in Luverne has been brought up for security reasons. The city isn't responsible for lighting alleyways but will install and rent security lights to residents for about $60 a year.