By Sara Quam
The Rock County Board Tuesday passed a 4.77-percent levy increase over last year's budget, with some changes made since the preliminary levy was set at 5 percent.
The total budget for 2001 is about $3.2 million, an increase of $152,825 over the 2000 budget.
Changes in the budget since the preliminary levy was set in September included a denial of additional staff request at Family Services and allowing 1 percent of the levy increase to be set aside for dedicated general fund reserves.
Family Services Director Randy Ehlers said, "We're in need of staff people, and it would benefit the citizens of Rock County. I'd like to see a commitment to hire those staff people."
When children have to be taken out of their homes due to any number of reasons, those costs come from the out-of-home placement budget under the welfare department. In 1999, out-of-home placement costs were nearly $500,000 but will be closer to $420,000 this year.
"You can't predict what's going to happen with out-of-home placements," Bob Jarchow, board chairman, said. The welfare department is the most costly for the county to operate.
Commissioner Jane Wildung said, "I understand the need for additional staff, but in fairness to the county, I think we need to look at the expenditures of the department and see what we can afford."
The board also took into consideration that state and federal election changes may affect the way county welfare departments operate in coming years. Wildung said a "wait and see" approach might be the best option in this case.
County salaries
The board also adopted a new pay plan for union, non-union, salaried and hourly-paid staff. The pay plan reflects a 2.5 percent increase.
Hourly pay ranges from $7.15 an hour to $22.21 an hour. Salaries will range from $1,795 a month to $5,822 a month.
County salaries make up about 75 to 80 percent of the budget. Even so, the board decided it was better to keep good employees, who have proven to be valuable than to try to recruit and train replacements.
Wind power dues
The Energy Task Force is asking for an additional $1,500 from Rock County to go toward wind power lobbying efforts. The board agreed to pay this amount, making the county's total contribution $2,500.
Rock County has just one experimental tower on the ridge west of Hardwick.
Considering that, Commissioner Ron Boyenga said since other counties in the task force have so many more towers, that the fees could be changed to a schedule based on number of windmills.
He argued that of the nine counties in the group, Rock County will benefit least from the lobby efforts immediately.
Commissioner Wendell Erickson said, "I don't doubt that we'll end up with windmills here."
"Energy is something that's always going to be needed," added Commissioner Ken Hoime. With electric deregulation a possibility looming in the future, other sources of that energy may be a wise investment, he said.
Although the board is sanctioning payment of the fee, it isn't committed to pay in future years if it doesnÕt see a need. All other counties had committed to pay well before Rock County Commissioners decided to do the same.