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Administrator outlines regional housing/tax‑base plan and asks board direction on library request
Summary
County administrator reported progress on a Greater Bemidji‑led strategic plan to expand tax base and workforce housing, and asked how to treat a library request for $481,740.50 in preliminary levy calculations as the county begins budget work.
The county administrator provided a brief update on a regional strategic plan drafted with Greater Bemidji and city partners to identify resources, obstacles and opportunities for expanding the tax base and workforce housing. He said Greater Bemidji will likely administer the plan if partner organizations agree and that the county will present a fuller plan to the board this summer.
On the budget, the administrator said department heads have submitted initial requests and the budget process is expected to be challenging given recent cost‑shift pressures. He asked the board what amount to plug into the preliminary levy for the library: the request submitted that morning was $481,740.50.
Commission discussion focused on whether to enter full department requests into the system for transparency or to use minimum/previous levels to keep the levy projection conservative. One commissioner reiterated prior direction to use minimum requirements as done last year; others suggested presenting full requests at the budget committee for review and trimming during deliberations.
The administrator said staff will prepare levy calculations once the board gives direction and that he anticipated returning with more detailed budget materials at the first budget committee meeting.
