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Waseca County leaders brief commissioners on legislative priorities, property-tax task force and paid-leave PERA issue
Summary
County leaders outlined upcoming legislative activity: commissioners plan to testify to the Senate Tax Committee about a local-option sales tax for a justice center, staff are monitoring House file 33-96 (property-tax task force), Senate file 4373 (PERA treatment under paid family leave) and the bonding bill; officials said they will continue outreach to legislators.
County administration used its monthly update to preview legislative priorities and budget concerns. Commissioners were told two county representatives planned to testify before the Senate Tax Committee on a local-option sales-tax measure intended to help fund a proposed justice center. Staff said they are also monitoring House file 33-96, which would create a property-tax task force, and Senate file 4373, which would clarify whether PERA recognizes certain paid-family-leave insurance payments as PERA-eligible salary.
The administrator described the broader context: rising construction and materials costs, competition for bonding and local infrastructure grants, and a decline in some county program aid that is pressuring local budgets. Commissioners discussed the need to communicate the local budget impacts of state actions, potential companion bills on the House side, and the timing of the bonding bill and bridge funds that many local road projects rely upon.
Commissioners emphasized outreach to state legislators and asked staff to provide materials so they can explain proposals to residents and partners if the measures progress. No formal votes were taken on legislative endorsements during this meeting; the discussion framed the county's priorities and next steps for advocacy.
