Cottonwood County approves invoice payment process for new Public Works facility, asks staff to pursue bonding and tax options

The Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners on May 3 unanimously approved a procedure to pay invoices for the county's new Public Works facility and directed staff to seek advice on long-term capital planning and bonding.

The vote followed a discussion led by Public Works Director Nick Klisch and Amy Thomas, State Auditor, on whether building funds should be kept in Highway funds or Revenue funds; Thomas said the ultimate decision rests with the board. Commissioner Kevin Stevens moved to continue past practices, but that motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Tom Appel then moved, and the board approved, that invoices for the project be paid going forward under a standardized routing and coding process.

Why it matters: approving an administrative payment process lets work and related bills proceed while the board considers how to fund construction long term. County Coordinator Kelly Thongvivong was asked to contact George Eilertson of Northland Securities about developing a Capital Improvement Plan and advising which projects should be included in potential bonding.

The board also agreed to administrative steps for processing project invoices: the County Engineer will receive invoices and apply a Costrite code; the County Engineer will deliver invoices to the County Auditor/Treasurer; the Auditor/Treasurer will code invoices with the IFS account number, send a copy to the Highway Office Manager/Accountant, and pay the invoice. Appel and Public Works Director Nick Klisch raised other possible funding options, including increasing the Wheelage Tax and considering a Local Option Sales Tax; commissioners asked staff to prepare for discussion in June.

The coordinator is expected to return with financing recommendations. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m.