Good morning everyone. Good morning. I'll call the Cook County Board of Commissioners regular meeting to order. On this day, Tuesday, August 26th, at 8:30 a.m., we begin our meeting with the pledge. Please rise.
I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Amen.
>> Are there any adjustments to the agenda? >> Make a a motion to approve the agenda as presented. >> I'll second that. All in favor? I >> opposed. Same sign. At this time, we have an opportunity for the public to uh appear before the
board. And as I look out at the audience here, I don't see anyone, unless somebody would like to step up that's here. No. Okay. How about from the board of commissioners? Nothing. Okay. Very good. We'll move on then to consent agenda. Um item three.
Um looking that over. Or is there anything that you want to pull? >> No. >> We have the claims, the minutes from the August 12th meeting, the retirement of Life Lundy, and the approve to approve
the retirement of uh Todd Ford. >> Madam Chair, I'd make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Support. >> All in favor? >> I oppose. Same sign. Motion passes unanimously.
Our first item on the agenda from Department of the Assessor will bring some information to us about the Tai Blatnik letter of support. Good morning. >> Good morning. Thank you, Madam Chair and Commissioners. So, um I worked with uh
Kristen and Commissioner Sullivan to try and put together a letter of support for the effort in Washington to put a floor on the payments for the Tai Blatnik. So, um I think this is similar to the language that we saw uh last fall and it
it didn't make it through all the way to become law. So, um we have a letter here. I don't know, you know, if it would be appropriate to address it to more members of Congress or send additional letters, but that was some of the discussions that I had had with uh with some of the commissioners over the
last few days. So, um open it up for discussion or any suggestions for modifications to the letter. Commissioner Gamble. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for the initiative to do this. Uh we had that joint meeting uh
with the counties that are affected by this, and it's something that we're constantly trying to determine best course of action. Um there are some incumbrances to that process that uh are frustrating uh when the intent should be
to try to fulfill the commitment that was initiated when this was first drafted and recognizing that there are costs associated with the properties that are owned by government that we have to as taxpayers
uh you know cover. Um, in in our discussions, we've been uh hesitant to try to make too much of this from the standpoint that we might lose what we have. Would that be a correct statement?
In other words, because if other counties become aware that we're getting a special, you know, compensation that maybe they'll say, "Hey, how come they and we don't?" >> Correct. Yeah. I mean, that's that's been part of the conversation since
I've, you know, been involved with the Thai Blatnik legislation is that, you know, we are we are receiving a um a a really good payment for federal lands that a lot of other counties in across the whole country aren't aren't getting a similar payment. So, you know, that's
kind of been something that we have discussed with St. county and Lake County that um you know we we want to be very thoughtful in our approach to what the solution is here to uh eliminate the volatility that's come with the appra the reappraisal process.
>> Yeah. And and I think that it's an important element as it should be in any discussion relative to uh legislation things that affect us whatever we're negotiating for and and in this instances I think it's it's a respectful consideration. Um, and I think framing
it that way as opposed to saying a tactical strategy, um, it just we want to be mindful. We're appreciative of what we have, but we feel that in good faith and using common sense that we should be able to move forward with that sense of trust in the relationship. And
when you see a de um a significant decline in the value 49% over the last you know assessment you scratch your head and say there's something wrong with that and that questions it brings into question the good faith. Uh we can
all identify with budget constraints and looking for ways that we might be able to reduce our costs, but we shouldn't do it on the back of taxpayers and communities have expectations in partnership relationships that contribute to what in good faith was
determined at the front end. So having said that and we continue to work as counties on how we're going to approach this. Certainly having support for the decision makers is a huge part of this. Uh my comment would be from my perspective is that the initiative was
taken on the part of senators Smith and Clolobachar and the letter should be framed in the context not to encourage your support but to um uh affirm the initiative. So if we draft a letter that
affirms the initiative on our behalf and then the encouraged support should go to the 98 other senators and 435 representatives. And I believe that those people when we experienced last year their initiative to put forward this amendment so that we would have a
floor that it couldn't drop below that um we we should be sending letters out to encourage support from those that did not you know come forward with the initiative. There's a there's a difference. So I think what we do is in
the letter the focus should be on affirming the initiative and the encouraging support should go to the others that we want to see get behind this. That would be my observation. >> Commissioner Sullivan,
>> I just wanted to um remark that um this particular letter is very similar to what was sent last year and that it did pass in the Senate. So the Senate is supportive of this and again it was a request for this letter from the
leadership >> commission. >> Yeah, as a followup, thank you Commissioner Sullivan and when I had talked to Bob about this and he mentioned that it was a request that often times when you are trying to put
forward something and so your office will call and say can you send a letter that supports what our initiative is. So, I I certainly I certainly understand that. Um, I did talk to Commissioner Stver's office and just uh wanted to
have an opportunity to talk to uh Representative Staver about this. And um um I think that his not supporting it last year when it didn't pass the House was predicated on other opportunities
for revenue within these properties. I think that is a separate issue. I think we need to protect what is in place and if there's other things to be explored. It it's not um off the table from the standpoint of looking at it. But what is
in place should be supported and given the fact that the 8th district is something that this is huge for these counties. Um I I was on the assumption he certainly would support it. But in reading the history on it, uh his positioning was because he was looking
at other opportunities for revenue. And um I I think we need to solidify what we have in place and protect us. So in the meantime, if there are other things that we choose to explore that that it it wouldn't have to compromise this. So I I think we
should we should number one if if somebody takes the initiative I I think we should affirm the initiative because we're appreciative that they stepped up and they did this and uh they certainly have demonstrated by taking the initiative that they support
this. And if I had a group of friends and I wanted to go to the boundary waters if I was the one that initiate you wouldn't have to ask me if I want to do it. it would be the other people that I'd want to ask for their support. So I
think it's a very simple uh change in the in the language but it's just being very grateful for the fact that they have taken this initiative. There's your way. Um, for the listening public who do not have this letter, the first sentence, um, of which
Commissioner Gamble is speaking, uh, Cook County strongly urges your support in amending the Tai Blacknik Act to set a a permanent floor for the payment in lie of taxes in the 20 thou at the 2008 level of
I can't read the number. There's a do we know what the number is? >> 2 million. 2 million >> and25,000 >> $25,000. >> There's a big sign across it that says draft. Um so to simply acknowledge and
thank uh Senators Smith and Clolobachar for their initiation of this and to urge them to continue to support that should cover the changes to this letter. Or is there more? If you're asking me,
I'm saying that if if I took if these two senators took the initiatives to put forward this amendment, I want to thank them. I want to be grateful. I want to affirm. And the information that supports it, the letters seems to carry
a tone that I'm trying to inform you to encourage your support, whereas it seems that they're informed well enough to put forward an amendment. So we want to thank them and affirm their initiative and hope that their colleagues will come
alongside and support. >> I see. >> So I believe the letter that Commissioner um Sullivan has drafted is acknowledging what they have put forth to us. Did you want any other kind of addition to the letter? I think it I
think given this is draft I would just make a recommendation that we we affirm and thank them for taking the initiative. >> Sure. >> Yeah. As opposed to encouraging their support. We know we have their so support because they took the initiative. That would be my recommendation
>> and and in the fact that their department has requested this and I'm certain that they probably have asked for the other counties that are supported through the Tai Black um payment in le of taxes. Um we're just we're saying certainly we we appreciate
the fact that you've been um uh willing to step forward and recognize the points that we've made here. But I think affirming their initiative is the focus I would take. >> I'll find out more in September when I go to the Arrowhead counties. We'll be
talking about this probably with the other counties too. See if they have done the same. And and one last thing, madam chair, is that the uh the head regarding urgent is is that timeline allowing? When were we intended to send
this? Are we okay, >> Commissioner Sullivan? >> Um so the request is to send this immediately. Um, so what I would uh recommend and I'll make a motion is to approve the letter with the amendment to
um express our thanks and continued support um and making sure that both on the front and the back end that we are doing that >> and I would support that. Okay. It just it it simply, you know, >> okay, >> focused on what the letter and what
their initiative has demonstrated and we want to be grateful >> and I'd be happy to make those amendments today so that you can sign and we can get that in. So, we have a motion to that effect. Are there is there a second? >> Commissioner Gamble.
>> Okay. And then further comments or questions? >> I'm going to hand you that. Just >> All in favor? I >> oppose. Same sign. Motion passes unanimously. >> Thank you for the uh putting the additions in there. >> Thank you all. Thank you both. >> Thank you.
>> Up next, we have uh item number five, the land services. Um we're going to have Neva discuss the Bates interim use permit along with Tim to explain all of that. Good morning.
Good morning. So, at the August planning commission meeting, there was a review of an interim use permit for the short-term rental of two wall tents on the Bates property at 1805 East Highway 61. The property is zoned single family residential and according to the Cook
County zoning ordinance, the short-term rental of tents is not an activity that's aligned with the vacation rental license. So, we do process that through an interim use permit process. Uh the planning commission received no written comments or verbal comments during the
public hearing from the public as part of the public hearing. The agent for the application, Eric Pierce, was present to answer questions on behalf of the applicants. And the general discussion was about the infrastructure and kind of the operation. Um right now the property is undeveloped. There's not a driveway
to access the site. Uh so a lot of the conditions that were attached with the approval are mostly about the infrastructure that the driveway be placed that the bath house be placed as appro placed uh according with the application. Uh the original application was requesting a 5-year interimm use
permit. The planning commission felt that that was a little long for an initial approval and so they made a recommendation for a three-year interimm use permit and attached the conditions that were recommended in the staff narrative and that was a unanimous recommendation for approval. Okay.
Interesting about tents these days, isn't it? As a rental, it works, I guess. Not in 20 below, but it'll work. >> They have a meter. >> Any comments or questions for Neva and Tim?
>> Commissioner Zullivan. Madame Chair, I'd like to make a motion to approve the resolution for the three-year interim use permit for the year-round short-term rental of two wall tent camps sites at 1805 East Highway 61 zone single family residential
>> support. Any further questions or comments? >> I think it's appropriate that Commissioner Mills supports it because he likes tents. So, yeah. fast. >> There you go.
>> Any further comments or questions about tents? >> All in favor? I >> I >> oppose. Same sign. Passed unanimously. Thank you for bringing that up. >> Commissioner Stoley. May I also just add since I've got your attention, tonight
will be our first residential open space overlay district meeting in Hovind at the Hovland Community Town Hall. Um, so if anybody is interested, I know Commissioner um White will be there as well as our H director. We'll have at least one contractor present as well as
a couple other folks. So, we really hope to get the word out because it was a short notice and I didn't have those dates for you last week. So, >> good plug. Thank you. >> Good looking forward to the West End >> at the end. We'll get that. >> Item number six, we'll move on to um
Auditor Brady. Thank you, Madam Chair. So, this first item is a grant from the FAA for the airport taxi lane reconstruction project. Um, this is strictly for the design part of the
project. That's something new that uh they've encouraged for some years to us and now we're doing it where we split out the design architecture from the construction. So this is just a design portion. You already approved the
contract with RSNH to do the design which is the way they do this with the promise that the grant is coming. Well, the grant is here to support the uh contract we've already approved. So and this is for about 90% of that cost and
the rest will either be local or we will seek other funding sources. So, um, recommend approval. >> Okay. Any questions or comments? >> I make a motion to approve the FAA grant
agreement number 3-27-0036-26-2025. >> Support. >> Any questions or comments? >> All in favor? >> I oppose. Same sign. Motion passes unanimously. >> So, Madame
Chair, I've put together um a summary of our budget requests to date. And this is in preparation for uh next month we have to approve a preliminary
levy. And we'll have two meetings to do it in. We typically try to do it on the first meeting. In case there are unresolved problems, we have a second meeting uh to finish that. So, this shows you where we're at currently
um with requests, the general fund, highway, public health, human services, those adjustments they've made recently. Uh airport, the building fund. Um the
new things this year are the the bonds. The jail bond is new. So, that's a big uh increase. You saw that on the earlier summary to the budget, you know, new new spending this year. And then the CIP
bonds from 2024. Last year we made an interest payment, but we did that using the federal ARPA funds. So, this is the first time it's on the levy. Um, and then we have also two and both of those big bond payments are
typically how those are typically this is the way they're designed. it's to pay the next February or I mean the next August and then the following February. That's what you're collecting taxes for. But we also have uh interest uh payments
in February of next year. They're going to come out of cash because um those were not levied last year. We were fighting hard to get their levy down to 5%. So we did not levy that last year. So we still have that to pay. What I've
shown here too is that federal ARPA balance of 384,000. We got $2 million. We've used it largely on housing and other projects, but we have $384,000 left. We were using some
of that last year for bond payments. And I've put it in here just as a suggestion. It's your decision. It would offset those uh February payments for jail bonds. So basically using that revenue would offset the February
payments for bonds. Um but that's just here for suggestion purposes. And then the other big change here is I'm putting in 1.4 million of use of fund balance. You'll see in the general
fund. It doesn't have to be general fund, but just to get our levy down to what you see on the lower right hand corner of 9.13%. That's where we've been the last two years. Our our initial
um levy has been in the 9 percentile range. So, this is very similar and then we've brought it down to five when we get to the end of the year. Um, if you did not have that use of fund balance there, the general fund would be
up uh about uh 24%. And then you see highway up 10%, public health human services up 26%. Um so we've got work to do but this use
of fund balance largely that's uh additional revenue that we've been receiving on our interest. The rates have been very high for three years. It's sustained for three years but we're
not budgeting for that. I mean, we've taken in in excess of one and a half million um a couple times. So, we're putting that money into our fund balance, not levying it because I mean not le budgeting it. We could be budgeting a
million a million and a half to bring the levy down directly, but interest rates have been forecast to go down each year and they have not. So, I've been conservative. we've been building up that fund balance with that interest.
Well, it's there to be used. So, this is suggesting the use of that um to get that levy down initially. Um and there's more there. Uh we got our numbers, our basic numbers from the 2024 audit and
our fund balance of the three major funds. We're almost 4 million in excess of our 75% standard. We've been we've set by resolution of the board that we're going to hold 75%
in in unreserved fund balance for our operational expenses and we won't use that unless we have to. Well, we're about 4 million ahead of that. So, we have that cushion that we've put in
there from um that interest money to use for this purpose. So, um I I'll stop right there for now and see if there are any questions. I'm what I'm looking for is any um information that you'd like me to put together along with
the administrator uh before we set the preliminary levy in September. So, >> Commissioner Mills, >> um, so we have 4 million above the 75%. Um, and then we'll be spending like 1.8
million presume if we just follow this. Um, and then so that would drop us down to 2. >> Yeah, actually after >> it's a it's an accounting technical thing, but the ARPA balance isn't in fund balance. >> That's considered an unearned revenue. We don't earn it until we spend it that
federal money. So >> that's why it's in the revenue column. >> So I just subtract the 1.4 from the 1.4. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And the only the only thing I would ask is um you know last year when we we we worked
through the the budget and the le and setting our levy. We you know consciously spent it down to try to get that lower and that's from fund balance too. And we also recognize we can't do that forever. And so I would just like to see kind of a longer long or not
a longer a f a glide out of the spending of fund balance. You know, incorporating that. I don't know if we can do that very easily, but um just to try to wean us off of that um would be really I think beneficial in the in the long run. >> Um
>> yeah, as as interest rates come down, we're hearing now the talk that they will start to come down this fall. um yeah, we won't have it >> to spend and in the if we don't get more federal funding, >> you know, we we won't have that. So,
>> so we won't have to worry about that. >> So, big assumptions here, but I mean, >> we won't have to worry about it, but we do have to worry about because we need that money. And so, you know, just with assumptions, say we just kept this for two more years, we we would have only two more years after this one of fund
balance spending like this. Yeah. And >> that's that's where I get >> assuming everything's Yeah. Exactly the same. Yeah. Which it never is. But that's why I just like to see kind of that longer how do we get out of this? Um >> um incorporating some of that into the
levy, but maybe not, you know, but also keeping using fund balance because like you say, that's what it it's there to be used uh you know, instead of taxing people. Commissioner White >> and well reduce spending. I mean that's
how do you bring down what you need? You reduce spend spending. And so I think we should really look at some of the positions we have that once were grant funded and we just folded them in to be county employees. And I believe it's
firewise it's the egg special. Correct me if I'm wrong. Um the egg position um firewise egg I thought there was another that but we should really look at what
we can afford and as a board we need to we need to have a conversation about what we value uh as as the people that make the decisions for our community people in the greater county in the whole county. Do we what's more
important when the funds really start to go? Is it the physical health? Is it feeding making certain our families have food? Is is it helping with fuel assistance? Is it having safe roads? Is it having clean water? Is it having
non-invasives anywhere? is I mean what is it changing how we teach people about protecting themselves against uh impending fire or emergencies? What is we need to prioritize
how limited funds should be spent and even if we had tons of money right now we should have that conversation to know what we value and what we are trying to do for our citizens of Cook County. So
to date I have not had been part of any conversation where they say oh yeah I really care as a group we really care about this. We are we can give lip service and we can agree to all these things but what are the priorities really when you run out of money in your
own home budget. H what do you not what do you go without? Not that you're going to starve, but there are things you have to cut. Maybe just for a little while, but you just now you're not going out to eat as often or now you're not making another trip to Duth or whatever it
might be. You cut back because you see what's coming up. You can't we cannot depend on outside revenue sources coming in. There are some, but we have no control over what the federal
government will be sending us or what the state will be able to give us or even the nonprofits and the grant funding sources because they all get their funding from someplace else too. So, I just really want us to have an opportunity
administrator um to get us together to have that conversation. just talk about it and we can't the problem is the problem is open meeting laws. We can't have that conversation
uh in depth without taking up a lot of business time or violating the open meeting law. So I think we need a special meeting to talk about values.
So I'm looking at this um outline here. These are the kind of the topic areas that you know we're looking at. The highway is important, public health, airport, building, all of that. Are you saying you want to go deeper into all of
these plus other areas? >> Oh, absolutely. The highway department. Now, I'm not This is not a slam on any of our directors, but uh and I know highway because I'm on the advisory committee that he runs a fairly tight
ship. He does and they have it in place for replacing equipment. They have money put aside so it's not all of a sudden they need to come up with $2 million for equipment replacement. But are there
places where there can be cuts that yes and I think we need to do a deeper dive into it. I'm not distrusting what the directors are saying at all, but I believe we have been voted in to
for our voters to make the best decisions for our voters in and um yeah, I I would like to do a deeper dive into some of these with those department heads here that so if we have a question
or have them standing by. So if we have a question about what does this mean um they can just tell us it's not an attack on anybody but it's it's a reality that we cannot continue to spend money like
we have for you know >> administrator Turbo. >> Thank you Madam Chair and thank you Commissioner White. Um, I hear your concern and um, hearing that um, what comes to mind for me is is having a
short-term plan um, to look at our current budget but then also some longer term planning. So, when I hear you talk about um potentially a special meeting or a retreat or some ability to talk about values, um that to me is a longer
term plan, meaning we can accomplish that before we have to approve the levy amount for this year. Um, with that then I think we can have some discussion about what information would be helpful as we move forward to make sure that as we're making discussions about the
budget, you have all the information that you need to feel comfortable in moving forward with those decisions. Shortterm, I'm curious to hear what you think is needed um before the next board meeting uh to feel comfortable with
moving forward with this next year's budget. at this moment in time, I believe the department heads um I trust the department heads um presentations I mean of of their things are accurate and
um as commissioner Mills says we have to come to a figure out how to get out of this and it is too short term to figure out inside of a month. So, uh, we do the best we can this go round, but with knowing that we will actually have a sit
down and maybe figure out if things need to be done differently or how we can modify what we're doing. >> Commissioner Sullivan, >> um, one of the things, Madame Chair, that I have heard, um, is making sure
that we are clear on what is mandated. And so it might be helpful for department heads or for ready to help us make sure that we are clear on what are mandated services. And I think for that longer term discussion um that looking
at um discretionary funds, how are we going to um utilize those? Should we utilize those? Um but that should be something that in the long run we take a look at. >> Mr. Gamble. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you
commissioners. I appreciate the discussion. um looking at you know the document that that Brady has you know put in um it if if I'm understanding this
correctly um the use of fund balance part of part of the formatting of this uh was a bit confusing to me and it can just be me but but what I separate out is 2025 and what I separate out as 2026.
So I have comparables under under each. So if I looked at this fund balance, if that was a 2025 expenditure or a 2026 proposed, it it wasn't clear to me. But just having said that in in the budget
process that I have been part of in my previous term, we we got three ring notebooks. We had every department. we could see every line item and I could go to departments and have a meeting individually with departments and
discuss those line items and that meant it saying well do we really need this for sodium chloride do we really need that um and and and you'd get an an explanation as to the rationale that supported the
recommendation and I find that the detail of that you asked do we want to dig deeper Yes, we want to dig deeper. We need to have a structure that incorporates it into it the discipline of evidence-based budgeting. And we set
up a structure so that when positions change within departments, when positions change within commissioners, that the structure is in place to make sure that that discipline exists. And so if I look at this, and if I'm reading this correct, and I'm open certainly to
correction on this, but our last year's budget was 5.16%. And if you look at the proposed budget right now of 9.13%, that is that's nearly a double increase in dollars. That's nearly a double if
I'm reading this correctly. >> Yeah. Last last year at this time we were showing for proposed we were showing over a 9% and then we cut it back. >> True. And it's sort of a pattern I understand when we do our our initial whatever this or that. I think I think a structure and a discipline will bring us
where we need to be more refined and um certainly in in attending the the course through through Niko that that discipline was was evident and
um I understand that we get comfortable sort of with the rhythm of how we do things and whatever change is introduced it's it's uncomfortable but it it's part of our stewardship. ship responsibility that's entrusted to us when we're elected to be caretakers of people's
money when it comes to having policies that inform the budget process such as what do we do about fund balance and we had this discussion many times in my previous term and wanting to know so you'd ask the question in the context it
it relates to the mandated as well I think that is the place you need to start what are we required to do and I mentioned that Milwaukee county that 80% of what they do with their money is mandated and they're only allowed a 1% increase in in where their levy goes
each year. Work with that kind of restriction. I'm just saying that that we need to build in this integrity in evidencebased whether it's unfunded mandates, whether it has to be um the uh
discretionary dollars. And when I've talked to commissioners before, I said, "What do you do about this?" So, we don't support those anymore. Why not? We can't afford to. It's a matter of priorities. Which comes to Commissioner White's comment about we need to define what are priorities based upon value.
And so if you look at where we're at right now and not in the context we always start highs and then we nibble away. But if we looked at this right now, we'd have to reduce this $527,000 [Applause]
in order to get to the 516. That's that's a half a million dollars to reduce this between now and whatever if we think we're going to just get to where we're at. The other thing I would say relative to to the fund balance, if we've said that 75% is where we need to
be, when we've had these discussions, we said, "So, where are we at?" Well, if we're at 85%, that gives us a 10% cushion to adhere to a resolution, a policy that we put in place that we want to adhere to except for exceptional
circumstances. But we've always said, "We this is what informed our policy that we want to be at 75%." If you have a hardware store that makes what their projections exceedingly more than what they projected, they might want to build a separate wing on that
year, they might want to do something. As long as we have the discipline, it can't be a generic perception. It has to be the discipline of looking at where are we? And if if our responsibility is to try to lessen the burden on taxpayers with things that we can't control, this
is the mechanism to do it and and we could we can alter, you know, so that we maybe want to be at 80%. But uh you can look at the state of Minnesota with the surplus we had and where are we at now? That's because of decisions that gets made and what drives
those decisions. So for every $132,000 that we reduce our budget, it's 1% in levy. And that's what gets us to the point to say that that uh right now, you know, we're half a million over where we
we should be. I would prefer to have each department to have what we had initially, which appears in the binder. I can see exactly every line item. Then I could know and if we did define our mandates, those
line items could be bolded or something. So we know these we can't touch because they're mandated. We could look at efficiencies or things that might help us to be able to meet the mandate with these efficiencies reducing cost. So it
it's a it's a big undertaking to change the way you do things. But we where we're at right now in timeline, I feel we we don't have the information to be able to dig deep. We don't and we need to partner and courage with our staff
that uh we we look at as something to obtain. It should be a positive approach as opposed to a negative. That that we're all looking to try to achieve this by working hard, rolling up our sleeves, and looking at creative ways, looking at
partnerships that allow us to reduce the burden of government. >> Well, we have had all the departments come before us. I have all the paperwork. You have it in we have it in our computer. >> They have come before us to say this is
what we're dealing with. this is what we're cutting back. This is what we're doing. So, I don't know if we have time to do a binder right now. But it's something that we can look forward to. And with Administrator Treble's help and everybody's help, we can start using
that as a goal. Figure out what is mandated, figure out how are we going to do discretionary, and then move forward with that. But I think right now what I'm hearing is we start in a month to talk about our um levy and about our
spending. So I don't think we can do binders right now. We have all the paperwork and everything that everybody has presented. >> I'm not asking for a binder. I'm asking for what the binder provided which is the detail line item for every department. We have not had the
recorders. We've had not had the auditor treasur. We've had we've not had uh every department come before us. We've had public health, human services, we've had highway, but we haven't had every department come before us. I do not see a spreadsheet of every budget that that
we're looking at. And that's what we need. Everything that comes under the umbrella of governance in the county needs to be visible so that and we understand it and we work together with our department heads in partnership encouraging to be able to try to be as
good a steward we can of the dollars that we have. We say over and over again we're asked to do more with less. The only way we're going to do that is to commissioners white point identify what's important and as you've indicated
uh in in your presentations and our discussions that that inform it needs to be informed decisions. Who informs that? It's our department heads that are responsible for that. It is the community that communicates where their
priorities are. All of this information is something that we assimilate in making our decisions. So, we represent that these individuals are evident in our final decision. Their voice is evident. >> Commissioner Sullivan, did you have any thoughts? >> Um, I just wanted to reiterate that I
don't think we need a binder that we have everything electronically that's been presented to us. >> Yeah. >> I just Yeah, I just sent you >> need the binder. We just need all of the documents by department. So, I just sent you what uh came out when we first
presented the general fund, which shows all of the departments, the line items, and I just sent that out to all of you. >> Thank you. >> Again, >> thank you. >> Now, so that's not that's not all necessarily all of the information that you would want in a binder, but um at least there there were the line items
were were sent to everyone back. >> Yeah. And underscore, I'm not asking for a binder. I'm not asking for these things engraved on a rock. You seem to be emphasizing the >> I'm just saying it's well because that's how we used to do it. You open it up. Everything was there. I could look at everything and it gave me the
opportunity to talk with department heads because I had a basis under which that conversation could be had. >> Administrator Treble. >> Thank you. I would just add um as you review the information that uh Brady just forwarded to everyone, if there are questions and you want additional
information in some category, um we're happy to answer those questions. I also um think that it would be a good approach to have some future discussion about how we want to approach this in the future um next year so that we make sure that all of the information is
presented in the format that is accessible to all of the commissioners. um and approved by all of the commissioners. So, for this year, um if there's additional information that Brady and I can provide, we're happy to do so. Um but changing the whole process
would be complicated because we don't have enough time to do that in a strategic and meaningful way. But I I hear your concerns and I think this is something that we can work on um shifting the approach as we move forward. Okay, Commissioner White,
>> very quickly before I forget this, I've had a number of uh community people just say all because of the 1.2 million 1.2 million visitors we have to this county. Not only does it
strain our law enforcement departments and the uh sanitation department and our streets and our roads and everything like that, it's our volunteers. It's our community volunteers for search and rescue and fire departments that these
are people that they do it because they're community-minded. They're not getting rich and they it's 24 hours a day. They never know when. So, um, a suggestion was made, and I'd like to have us discuss this at some time, to have a,
here we go. Spend more money. Have a line item of some sort for the fire departments and for the search and rescues that they can tap into. I don't know how it would be set up, but to give them something to help them um in their
in their volunteer efforts, you know, so they don't have to raise the money for their own fire department or for their own fire truck and so they don't have to raise the money for their own u ATV. But um this is something somebody take a note because I would forget this. But
this was brought up a number of times within the last month. So I don't know if I was speaking to people who were called out because you never they're very confidential about that. But uh obviously with 1.2 million visitors as
per the last chamber meeting um it's it puts a strain on this little community. So that's administrator. >> Thank you. Um and thank you for that, Commissioner White. Um if it's okay, I'd
like to go back to the the budget as proposed. And I do have a question for the commissioners. We had some discussion about that 9.13 percentage. I think for Brady and I, it would be helpful to hear if if there's a cap that
you would like us to work towards with that percentage. Um, so that as we come before you next month, we have um a goal of what we're working towards. >> And Brady, I don't know if there's anything you want to add with that.
>> No, that that is what we need. Yes. Okay. Um I just feel very comfortable with um around that 9%. In the past we've talked about having less than 10% and I think that has worked very well at least for um the the years that I've
been budgeting as a preliminary levy and then we get deeper into discussions also in the fall. uh we get grant reports and so we may get some grants that will help us to be able to reduce that levy further. So I would recommend that we keep the you know amount right now just
under 10%. >> Commissioner Mills. Yeah, I'm uh as far as a preliminary is concerned, I'm I agree with Commissioner Sullivan. Um and then trying to to work down that. I I hear what Commissioner Gamble is saying and having that discipline would be really helpful, too. Um and to be able
to get in deeper. And Brandy, I really appreciate that document you just sent. It's uh the 2024 proposed, the 2024 actual, the 2025 proposed, and now the 2026 proposed. So it gives a little historical context and we can get in there and and see where those
differences are and where those changes are. So that's really helpful. But um >> yeah, we typically we've most county cities leave it a little bit high at the proposed for the same reason that there's unknowns.
And when you don't set your final until December, there's no reason to back yourself in a corner when you can't get out of if something happens. That said, a lot of the the things that we worried about in the spring haven't come to pass yet. the the state cuts to a lot of
things didn't occur. The legislature didn't follow what the governor's recommendations were. So, we didn't see a lot of those hits that we thought were coming. So far, we haven't seen a lot of the federal, but I think, you know, they're still working on that upstairs.
I think they largely hit the public health and services. Uh, but the other things, you know, are federal payments. There weren't any big hits other than the secure rural schools which is not a huge payment for us but it significant
for highway and school and the fireways program but not nearly uh the scope of the BWCA or our regular PILT which was still around 800,000. So we hadn't seen those the threat of recession was out there. I'm not really
hearing that. Um so those those big threats aren't there but it doesn't hurt to leave you know a cushion um until December. It's how much cushion do you want to leave and people get an
impression from truth and taxation. Whatever you set next month is what they're going to see at Truth and Taxation. Um that's in November but those numbers get set at what gets decided on September 10th. So keep that in mind. But
>> I think in the past we've always had consideration of setting the levy at a reasonable rate knowing that things will come in, grants and different monies will come in and we can lower it. But you can't raise it if we have all of a sudden something really big come in that
we're not prepared for. So the public should understand that no, it's not the final. We can do the final the first week of December. So, we have some time and some wiggle room to uh work this through. So, >> Commissioner Mills. >> Yeah. I just also wanted to point out
the second page uh in our or I guess it's third page because the first one's a cover letter, but uh of this item uh also identifies our our tax capacity as increasing by 9 9.4%.
So, um it's hard to for it's hard for my mind to really see what that means, but it does tell me that um there would be that helps us as far as the the hurt on taxpayers and and the
dollar amount. And uh you know, it doesn't mean we can just spend and you know, we still need that discipline, but it's just a bit of quote unquote relief. Um, >> and it changed a little bit since I got
new numbers from the assessor yesterday. >> Okay. >> Um, and they'll change slightly over the fall, but um down to about 7.21% increase. >> Well, that that helps less. >> Instead of Yeah. Instead of 33610, it's 32938.
Um, so but it's still an increase. and the construction, the new improvement. >> Mhm. >> Part of that was larger this year, about 40 million of our increase in value. So,
some years recently, it's I think it's been in the 16 million range. So, uh that's that's good for taxpayers. >> Um because that means they're sharing. It's not just a raise in everybody's value. there's some new value coming in.
>> So that's some positive. >> Yeah. And I think defining tax cap capacity for the public is is important. >> Yeah. This was these are just uh estimated market value numbers that came in. >> Right. And so how that affects the public is when they when they see that
going up, if they see that their tax exposure is is going up, we read it on two sides. One is how's that affect me? And the other is how's our tax capacity? Well, our tax capacity is going up in relationship to our valuation on our properties, which homeowners aren't
necessarily going to be pleased about when you're looking at new development, new opportunities, which is the issue relative to preserve the bluff. These are things that are saying we've got more revenue because we got more people contributing to the pool. So that's that's an important thing but all of the
factors that drive budget are the things that we need to understand and the interplay in order to know how that works out because I am leazison on with the hospital board they were talking about their levy at the last meeting their pres presentation was made by the financial people who said we could be at
0% 5% 10% 12% 15% where do you want to be the board settled on 15%. So when in the past when we talk about levy, we look at who has levy authority within our county. So the cumulative impact on the taxpayer isn't just us as
a county. It is as we all know, but when we represented in good faith um before the public, I would always represent the cumulative effect of all levies because otherwise it gets sold. It's only a cup of coffee. Well, it's it's an expensive
cup of coffee when you put it all together. And so I'm I'm just saying that understanding, structure, discipline, all of those things are hugely important. And I I I think that the there are counties that that they
begin the process in a zerobase, you know, budget. That means we don't say where are we going to be comfortable. we just start with the idea that we want to match things out and that's how we do it and it's it's a discipline. So, um these
are discussions that we that are philosophical that can be had that drive future budget negotiations. The more that we're transparent, the more that we answer the questions, the more that we roll up our sleeves and wrestle with these things, the more it is going to contribute to trust to the
public because they see that they're doing what they elected us to do, which is to be good stewards of their resources. >> Commissioner Mill, >> yeah, I appreciate that. And Brady, maybe would it would it be helpful to talk a little bit about um the fire
districts and and what uh authority they have um just based on Commissioner White's concern um about making sure we have the resources to >> Well, in the unorganized area, that's that's a county uh levy and that's where it appears is on the county line. Now,
city towns, they set their own levies and include their fire with that, but in the unorganized areas, the Gunland Trail, etc. But they present that to us and they can uh it's going to affect them in that fire district, but they can raise
request a higher levy from the board and raise those funds. Often they're reluctant to do that um because it affects their their narrow fire district. Um and I, you know, there's a
lot of um mutual aid. So these these separate departments are in some ways they're you know they're they're like one. They're departments of a larger department because they all support each other and all these things. So
complicated. Mhm. >> I represent three different fire districts and uh I think the thing that's frustrating for some of the folks in the West End is >> when they're called out and there's not an emergency. Somebody decided that they should turn
the fireplace on and all of a sudden it poofs back into the room and they get worried and they call for help and then the help comes and it's nothing. So I think some discussions have been should there be um a little taxation onto some
of the owners because of the fact they've had 14 calls in the last two months or whatever or gone up to the boundary waters to do that's a mutual aid thing though. So there is some discussion uh among the folks and
citizens about you know the calls are getting more and more as we as we know on the northshore things that have been happening and um we're request to go and help. So it's it right now it's a discussion it's not an emergency but it
will be an ongoing discussion. Yeah, I I I thank you for I've heard similar concerns about false calls um more maybe more on security side of things than than fire side of things, but just kind of that idea of the use of resources for for for nothing kind of or
I guess there's you know the just in case. Um, one thing I just thought is interesting is between the different fire districts, you know, they they each have their own um, culture um, um, just like our various communities uh, within our county. Um, and they all have
different requests and different structures. Um, and there are some discrepancies between the different departments as far as what their requests are, what they're willing to ask for, what they're willing to tax for versus not, what they'd rather fund raise and that sort of thing. So, that's
it's a an interesting element to it um as well and um adds to the complication maybe, but uh it's just just worth talking about. I think >> you can imagine being St. Louis County. >> Yeah.
I I have a feeling I misspoke, so I'm going to say it again. >> No, just of the use of fund balance. Um I think I said it for the general fund, but the general fund with no use of fund balance was a 14%
increase. >> Oh, okay. Yeah, >> not 24. >> No, that's the bottom line is the 24. Sorry. >> Thank you. >> Actually, a little over 23, >> right? So I think I yeah 14% for the general fund, 10 for the highway, uh 26
for PHS and then 23 overall. So >> madam chair I do have a question about public health human service is because we see this you know 26% increase
uh proposed for 2026 is that with the assumption that the department the department is staffed at the level that it was >> I believe that is true correct Brady.
Yeah, I think it I think it is the I think the main thing you're seeing here is that they've been using significant fund balance in the last two years and now they've just pulled that out and that's why the you're seeing it all right now. >> Yeah. And and I think when we look this
we go down the line here we see the you know increase in dollars and we see that percentage increase understanding what that reflects is important. So if it if we're saying this figure here 26% reflects the fact that we're not using fund balance and we have used it before
but you should also know that it's predicated on staffing at the levels that it was at the beginning of 2025 and because we are looking at reassessment and to the issue of mandates and whatever else that that that is a high figure that could fluctuate based upon
that analysis. So I think that's an important thing to point out. Okay, thank you for sending that out, Brady. We'll have time later to really look that over and and have a good discussion coming back in September for
a beginning conversation. Okay. Anything else? All right, then we'll move on item number seven, administrator uh updates. Thank you, Commissioner. All right, I have just a few very brief updates. Um,
all great things. The first one is the YMCA. The the flooring in the exercise room is being replaced and that will be done in September. Um, as well as um a lot of the equipment in their exercise room will be replaced and we believe
that will be happening in September as well. The basement rem remodeling project that was completed here at the courthouse is now done. We have some HR staff and PHS staff that are going to be located down there. Some of our staff have moved. The rest are moving within
the next few weeks. And we have a breakroom grand opening on Friday that Janna and Brooke have been planning. So, we have a ribbon cutting. So, we're really excited about that. So, if you haven't been down there, um it looks great. Um it's a very bright open
space and it turned out wonderfully. Um the next update is we are setting beams for the Mililda Hill project in early September. We will have a better date next week for that. That's important to make note of because as those beams are put into place, there will be a 10 to 20
minute closure for each beam. So we want to make sure that the public is aware of that and we'll make sure that we communicate that out once we have the actual dates. And that is it for today. Okay, good. Thank you. Moving on to item number eight. Um,
employee concerns, commissioner concerns. Um, you'll see that I have provided a little bit of information here on this wonderful colorful chart because printing in black and white does nothing for me. So, I asked Jana to do this in color. And I'm only bringing
this forward because I was really impressed with the extension office having their dates way out in the future about we'll budget for this at this particular year and with this is um uh AMC program that I um attended
understanding the federal changes to Medicaid benefits and how it's going to impact the counties and uh we had five different presenters uh going over some of the different areas and then at the and they um they did the chart work. And
so I think we're all kind of really nervous about Medicaid, what's going to happen. And really, it's going to take time and it really won't go into effect until the um beginning of 2027 for the work requirements, but up to
then there's needs to be a lot of discussion. And I do that with NATO, we'll do it with our AMC, we'll do it with the state, we'll do it with however many people will listen to us because it's really important to understand the
steps. And um you know um not to be really down about this, but we're going to face administrative costs and burdens um and it's going to cumulative affect us. So, um I think that we'll be working
closely with PHS because they'll be getting updates also as we move along with uh with the whole process. But anyway, I'm just giving this to you so you can kind of understand goes way out to 3032. So, and we don't know what's
going to happen federally with elections coming up in the future. So, this obviously with everything um can change, but this is where we are right now. the timeline of um Medicaid. So, I just share that with you. You can tuck it
away. Do whatever you like and I'll be updating you as we move along with Nico and uh AMC. Um the other thing I'll just report on the Toffee Park Road is starting now. So, they're pulling them from from the
Gunflint Trail to go over there to start doing some issues there, laying the the basic groundwork, working with um I just stopped on Saturday to visit with some of the neighbors and they're very pleased with the construction folks being aware of their property line of
their personal property is right here and the road is right there. So, how can we work with you on um not taking too much of your front yard? So, um, and then there'll be a pause and then they'll come back, um, and hopefully finish it up by, um, the end of
September. So, everybody knows that who lives along the park road. Any other updates or uh, reports? Commissioner Sullivan. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, Cook County Coalition of Lake
Associations is getting ready to have their final in-person meeting. They meet in person during the summer and then via Zoom in the winter. And so they will be meeting on the 11th and I've asked our new administrator to attend and introduce herself to all the presidents
and chairs of the Lake Road associations that are members. So that will be a a really exciting event. Um I'm sure that many of you saw the article in the Star Tribune. Um preserve the bluff group had um an opportunity to meet with media,
local media as well as um the Minnesota Star Tribune. And so that article was published last week and has created a a lot of interest. Um WTIP also had an article about it and I've had an opportunity with to meet with some
potential donors as a result of it. So um that was really a good media initiative. Um our emergency preparedness uh committee met and kind of talked a little bit about some of the items the safety committee is also addressing and we talked about the need
for uh code red and our evacuation app to be kind of sent out and shared with many many new property owners that we um have experienced in the last few years. We had a cyber security um tabletop
discussion and that worked really well. um the HA met and um talked a little bit about um supporting their strategic plan and I'm sure Commissioner Gamble will um share some information as well. They are also having a special meeting coming up
later this week to talk about um a resolution that's been put forward for John Peter's approval that was done by the city of Grand Marray and we will also look at um that as well. personnel committee met and we talked a little bit
about developing our charter. Um getting that up to date and talked about the need for policies for um us all of us as commissioners to work in particular at policies that were kind of in the hopper related to teleawwork bereavement
emergency responders leave and others. Um, the Flint Lock Committee is to be commended for donating trees on their property to the project on the Little Devil Track River. They worked in concert with SWCD, their soil and water
conservation district, and took trees that were just going to be bulldozed and actually planted them um to help solidify and secure the banks along the little devil track. So, that work is uh finishing up. Cook County Historical Society will be having their 100th
anniversary this September 23rd. So, I would encourage you and all members of the public to go to their website um and look at their centennial dinner, a plaint trout dinner that will be held down at North House. And there are limited numbers of tickets that are
available. So, um please take a look at that. Airport Advisory Commission met recently. Obviously today, um, we accepted the FAA grant agreement for nearly $164,000 for our taxi lane reconstruction.
And this afternoon, the EDA will hopefully approve a grant um to go to the ILR for reconstruction of the pavement in front of hanger row, the apron and area that is not covered by FAA funds. And so they're considering um
a grant of up to $200,000 um that would go to ILR. So we will hope that that is approved and then can be uh passed on to ITR for their review. We had a mindot inspection, an annual safety inspection that's called a 5010
out at the airport. And this surprise inspection occurred last week. There were a couple of trees that had grown up um in the clear zone which will need to be removed. That's just a constant effort that they have at the um airport and um a photo will be taken upon
completion of that work and will be sent to mind aeronautics so they know we have done due diligence. And it was also pointed out we need to consider um an improvement in our boat situation down at the sea plane base in case of emergency. Apparently there is grant
money available to secure a more appropriate speedboat for us. Um so we will be looking into that. So to meet any potential needs um if something um there were were to be some kind of emergency at the SE plane base. And then
um they announced that the annual head annual Arrowhead Eagles flyin drive-in pancake breakfast is coming up. That's their big fundraiser for scholarships. And um that will be on Saturday, September 27th in the morning. So, we
hope that there will be another big crowd and they can have a couple of more scholarships that go out as a result of that. And uh then lastly, I'm going to get a little prop. Many of you have probably read the book Gunflint Burning, but
there's an individual mentioned in there that I would like to give some recognition to this morning. So, Michael Valentini and his wife Sally, who have been residents of the Gunflint Trail for a long time, have left the county. And
about a week and a half ago, there was a farewell um for them up at the um Seagull Community Center was sponsored by the Gunflint Fire Department. And Michael provided decades of service and leadership on the Gunflint Trail and
also to all of Cook County and really left an enduring mark on our community. his commitment to public safety, willingness to respond at all hours, his steadfast guidance in times of crisis, whether it be the Ham Lake fire, um,
search and rescues, medical calls, have all made a really huge difference for our community and for our visitors. And he led with skill and professionalism and compassion. He has really inspired a lot of other firefighters, people to
step up to volunteer in all our fire departments throughout the community. And for those of you that don't know Valentini's story, um back in 1999 during the blowdown, he came here um he was in the process of moving here with
his wife Sally. And in 1999, President Bill Clinton declared Cook County a disaster area. And based on that declaration, Cook County wrote their first FEMA hazard mitigation plan, which we're now revising again. And Mike
Valentini and others on the trail installed 188 sprinkler systems after the blowdown to try to protect our community from fire. And there was a grant from the federal government, believe it or not, that paid for 75% of all the costs of
those sprinkler systems with the other 25% being paid for by property owners. And as quoted in this book, Gary Griffith's book, Valentinis, who had a rustic cabin at the end of the Gunflint Trail, were trying to move at that point
from Chisum to SAG permanently. and he came here and started installing fire systems, sprinkler systems, knowing that there was going to be a fire. And in May of 2007, everyone was really glad they had installed those sprinkler systems when
the Hamlike fire broke out. Um, Valentini was run around with his head cut off um trying to help start those systems and protect our community members. His leadership has strengthened the fire department, built community trust, and he's coordinated responses
time after time again, and he's donated uh pumps as he's left our community and different items to help continue to protect and provide for community service. And so as they leave the county and are moving to their new home, um we
really wish them the best and we appreciate his steadfast and respected leadership and hope that their new community appreciates them as much and as deeply as all of we do. And that's the end of my report. Knowing the work that he's done, he
probably isn't done yet. He'll find something new in the new community. >> So thank you for that tribute. >> Absolutely. Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah. Yeah. Thank you, Commissioner Sullivan. It's uh great to recognize people who
have served us well. I appreciate that. I was going to ask um because this tree issue at the airport. Um so this was a surprise inspection and they said some trees had grown above the height that they considered to be safe. How simple a
process is it uh to just go out there and say, "Okay, fine. go out and cut it. >> So, >> what do what hoops do we have to jump through? >> So, we do have to keep the clear zone cut and they are constantly out there brushing and cutting trees. Um, what is
happening on the west side of the runway at this point in time is that those are mature big pines and so we actually be will be seeking bids next month to have those removed. But certain areas we do have
environmental issues. We have to be very careful and we do work with the MPCA MPCA and also with the EPA to make sure we are following all the guidelines necessary >> and and thank you for that. Uh the question pertains to a lot of times u
fulfilling you know requirement it's how easy is it to do that and it's if it's simply identifying an issue and then we can resolve or if it's a lengthy permitting process or we have to do all of these things to it it just encumbers
a process to meet the objective which is remove that tree and so that that was the reason for my question if it's a matter of saying you identify it now we can go out and we just pursue bids and then we do it that simple. But I I just wonder >> the the more involved process was really
when that runway was extended a number of years ago that had heavily involvement from a lot of agencies but what we're doing right now is kind of maintaining that clear zone and so we are able to do that on their own.
>> Um the the issue for us is at the airport it's an extremely small staff. we have an airport manager >> and then um hired outside of county contract are a couple of other people that Rodney Roy employs to help him do that work.
>> Um but it is absolutely amazing to see the work that they do each year. I hop in a pickup truck. I ride up and down the taxi lane from one end to the other to see what progress there is. And I have encouraged our new county administrator to take that same little
trip, get a tour of the airport to get an idea of the incredible work that they do. It's uh pretty amazing. When we had the meeting on this issue, when it had been identified, we extended the runway and then we had that clear
zone. And so we did what we thought we should do and then we had a discussion on whether we overstepped our bounds. And uh we had so many as you mentioned agencies that were there and it was mindboggling
the nature of the discussion and it came out because with all of the agencies that were involved in it in that discussion and investment of energy and looking at this somebody just said you realize that this whole initiative was to create a runway for a certain
airplane that is no longer being made. So it was like, are you kidding me? >> Well, there are airplanes that do use that runway. The small Cessnas that come in um do use it, but >> you know um I think we've become as an
airport um advisory commission really able to do the preventative work. We've learned about the long-eared bat, about the timing of cutting the trees. I mean, all those things were a learning process >> and we've got a really good handle on
them and I feel really comfortable with the direction we're going and the fact that we're taking our first steps in the next 20 year master plan to continue to have that airport service because our medical flights, our firefighting are
absolutely critical. And that means that our airport, whether it be up top or down at the sea plane base, need to be prepared to deal with the aircraft we have today and the aircraft of tomorrow, those electric aircraft that are coming in. And um we've got a really good
handle on it. So, I'm excited with the work we're starting to do for the future. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for that report. Any other reports? Not having any other reports. And um we have upcoming meetings to note, but one thing is for sure, it's coming up Labor
Day weekend. So the courthouse is closed on Monday just for the public for the public to know that. And then also in our um agenda, we have the sales tax comparison through June of 2025. And then we received a letter of
correspondence from the Schroeder area Historical Society. There being no other business, we are adjourned. Thank you. I don't