By Sara StrongThe Rock County Board of Commissioners Tuesday set its 2005 preliminary levy at 5.5 percent more than this year’s. The county will collect a total of 3,191,769 and anticipates $941,558 in aid. The county is spending about $481,055 more than in 2004.The 5.5 percent levy increase doesn’t mean each property owner will pay that much more in county taxes. Individual valuations or classifications affect tax bills. Also, the tax base has increased. The overall growth means less is needed from individuals who all share in the levy collectionCommissioner Bob Jarchow said he was comfortable with the 5.5 percent levy increase. "I look at the preliminary levy as building in a cushion for the county," he said.State law requires the preliminary levy be set in September and then finalized in December. The preliminary levy may be decreased, but not increased before it is certified.County Administrator Kyle Oldre said that with the state budget shortfall, the county’s aid might change. "I am not all that confident that we’ll actually get this aid when the state is a billion short," Oldre said.Commissioner Richard Bakken said, "This budget is really being held hostage by a few things."Another variable in the county budget is the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center, which the county said it will no longer share with the city. The county terminated the agreement in order to recoup lost money from the city of Luverne, which terminated its dispatching joint powers agreement and the $155,847 that came along with it.The county was slated to pay $68,066 for the pool in direct payments and per diem costs for board members. It removed that from the budget, but may be open to reinstating the joint venture if other city contracts pan out.Commissioner Jane Wildung said, "The pool is valuable for all citizens of the county.Also a budget variable is the city of Luverne’s intention to pay its law enforcement contract in 2005. The county has budgeted for the city to pay $669,366 for law enforcement services, even though the city cancelled dispatch.Jarchow said he hoped the board didn’t consider partnerships in law enforcement and the pool together while negotiating."I personally think they are mutually exclusive, independent operations and contracts," Jarchow said.He says that, referring to some contract proposals from the city of Luverne that have included both law enforcement and pool numbers.Truth in taxation statements sent out in the fall will tell property owners what to expect to pay when all levies are certified.Department budgetsCommissioners are still in the process of reviewing department budgets for 2005.Tuesday, they heard from two: Family Services and the Rock County Community Library.Family Services has a proposed levy of $920,006, or a 6 percent increase from 2004.That includes the assumption that the costly budget item of out-of-home placements (foster care, treatment centers, etc.) will stay the same as 2004.Payroll costs assumed merit system and cost of living increases; 8 percent health insurance rate increase; a retirement and replacement hire; a new full-time financial worker (40 to 45 percent federally reimbursed), and an additional part-time accounting technician (33 percent federally reimbursed).Family Services also budgeted a 20 percent increase in Southwestern Mental Health Center Block Grant (a $16,451 increase); and allocated $10,693 to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.The Rock County Community Library will receive $113,000 from the county. The library needs new computers and carpeting, but doesn’t have those improvements budgeted for 2005. With the loss of the bookmobile, librarian Glenda Bremer said, "We’re trying to still get out there in the county."Children’s librarian April Gangstad used a grant to visit 24 day cares with a summer reading program. That reached 145 children.Bremer shared a monthly report with the board to illustrate the use of the library. In August, there were 4,859 borrowers. There was an average daily circulation of 299, and a monthly circulation of 7,768. All numbers reflected an increase from the same time last year.