Koochiching County will collect 3-percent more in property taxes in 2009 than it did in 2008,
The Koochiching County Board set a 3 percent increase in the levy for the 2009 levy. The county can’t exceed the limit, but it can reduce it, according to board Chairman Wade Pavleck.
Counties were given a levy limit of 3.9 percent for 2009, set by the state Legislature.
Setting the levy is not something the commissioners do lightly, Commissioner Chuck Lepper said. In the past, the county has had enough new construction to offset taxes and Lepper said he doesn’t foresee changes in the taxes in 2009.
The board agreed not to increase levies collected in 2009 for the Rainy River First Responders and Northome First Responders subordinate taxing district. A small operational increase was set for the Littlefork Ambulance levy.
No increases will be seen in the levies for Fire District 1 in Northome, Fire District 2 in Loman and Fire District 4 in Baudette. Increases were set in Fire District 2 in Littlefork, Fire District 3 in Birchdale and Fire District 5 in Big Falls.

Koochiching County News Notes
• The Koochiching County Board adopted three “gapping” areas along Highway 11, a scenic byway. The gaps allow billboards to be placed in those areas. The areas include Birchdale, Pelland Junction and Loman.
Commissioner Mike Hanson said that the gaps should help some businesses, while other businesses have lost their signs along the highway as a result of the scenic byways designation.
• The board approved a change order for Wagner Construction in the amount of $79,000. The change order is for extra work done outside of the contract in the Jackfish Bay sewer project.
Overall it was a “tough, tough” project, but it was the right thing to do, Commissioner Wade Pavleck said.
The board also discussed the feasibility of extending the sewer past Jackfish Bay. A public meeting on the proposed extension is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight in the Ranier Community Building.
Commissioner Chuck Lepper said he has received several requests for sewer from homeowners west of International Falls and plans to set up a public meeting to discuss extending sewer west.
• The board agreed to use the legal firm of Ratwik, Roszak and Maloney after a Court of Appeals dismissed the city of International Falls’ legal action regarding Minnesota Highway 332. As a result of no litigation, the county can not be covered by the Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust.
Commissioner Mike Hanson expressed concern about how the firm will be paid. Commissioner Kallie Briggs said she is waiting to find out if MCIT will cover the legal expenses of the firm.
“It’s not something we want to do. We’re being forced to,” Briggs said.
• The board approved a Homeland Security grant in the amount of $125,000 to be used by the Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office to update its radio equipment.
• The board approved the resignation of Jeff Larson as an engineer tech in the Highway Department.

Koochiching Development Authority News Notes
• The Koochiching Development Authority Board Tuesday agreed to add seven members to a team overseeing the Renewable Energy Clean Air Project. Those members include Jerry Struss, Bob Anderson, Wayne Merrell, Mike Romslo, Mark Meester, Rob Boyd and Joel Maggert.
• The KDA Board heard that there are some prospective companies considering the Northome Business Park. Board member Mike Hanson said businesses currently working in natural resources in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin are being targeted for location in the park.
• Board member Chuck Lepper said he is continuing in his attempt to bring a dialysis machine to International Falls. He said he is planning a trip to discuss it with the company that is considering locating a machine in the Falls. He is working on it as fast as he can, but it’s a long process.
“I’ll keep on it. We’ll get it,” Lepper said.
• Board members Kallie Briggs and Wade Pavleck discussed the Ranier vision meeting they attended Monday. The focus of the meeting was upgrading the waterlines in the French and Jameson additions and annexation.
The pipe system in the additions is “substandard,” Pavleck said, noting that it could fail at any time. He added that the pipes breaking last fall cost Ranier a lot of money, and he is continuing to work with the city to have the lines replaced.
“We’ve got to get that water system up and on it’s feet,” Pavleck said.
• Board members heard an update from Jenny Dougherty, director of the Small Business Development Center. There is a “real need” for the service provided by the SBDC and Dougherty said she has seen an increase in the number of businesses that she works with. She has been helping business owners develop the skills they need to run their businesses and working with banks.
she said. She works out of the Koochiching Economic Development Authority office, which has been a “good fit,” she said. She also works with businesses in the outlying areas of Koochiching County.