Budgets and Spending Are the Main Topic of Discussion with Polk County

By: Mary Balstad marybalstad@rjbroadcasting.com

Polk County, MN – Polk County Commissioner Joan Lee started off the week’s ‘Food for Thought’ on Monday, September 12th with the discussion about spending and budgets within Polk County. Plans are taking shape in regards to the Enbridge tax court issue. Last week, a meeting in Thief River Falls took place to discuss the money owed by counties in Minnesota to Enbridge. An agreement was reached to grant $29 million in funds to the 13 counties. Lee discusses the specifics of what Polk County owes after the grant.

Lee then spoke about the use of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds for septic funding. Out of the $6 million allocated to Polk County through ARP, $50,000 is planned to be utilized under the clean water classification. According to guidelines, the ARP funds must be used within the next three years. Lee states this is one reason why the commissioners office decided to put funds toward already existing programs instead of starting a new one, as any new program would require funding in the future from another source one ARP funds expire.

Last Tuesday, September 7th, an official ceremony was held at the now renamed Bernie L. Lieder Memorial Bridge. Formally known as the Gentilly Bridge, the renaming was in honor of the late Bernie Lieder, a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 1B. Among the many committees he served with, Lieder’s most notable position was as the chair of Transportation Finance and Policy Division subcommittee. Lee spoke about the renaming ceremony and who was present.

Next week there will be two commissioner meetings to discuss various budgets for the county. Among these discussions are preliminary budgets for levies, negotiations, new vehicles for the Sheriff’s department, and the extension of the Boat DNR grant.

Polk County Commissioner Joan Lee will be on ‘Food for Thought’ again in October.