By Richard Crawford

Carver County commissioners met for their first meeting of 2009 with the state’s budget crisis looming in the background.

Commissioners took care of annual business, including selecting Gayle Degler, who represents portions of Chanhassen and Chaska, to serve as the 2009 board chairman.

They also established meeting schedules, board assignments and selected the Chaska Herald to serve as the official newspaper for official government notices.

While there was no official action related to the state’s budget shortfall and potential loss of state aid to the county, Administrator David Hemze said ‘it’s likely to be a very big problem” in 2009.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty recently unalloted funding scheduled to be directed to cities and counties in 2008. That action cost the county $761,000. The county is scheduled to receive more than $4 million in state aids and credits in 2009, but Hemze said preliminary work is under way to address a cut in that funding.

Hemze said the financial picture likely will be discussed by commissioners in February. He said the county may need to target existing funds, program cuts and look for additional revenues to address the expected shortfall. Hemze said the precise dollar amount the county will lose will become clearer as the 2009 state legislative session proceeds.

The county will likely withhold plans to purchase additional land next to its Cologne public works facility to address the $761,000 shortfall, Hemze said.

After Degler received the gavel to commence the new year, he said the board will need to continue to work cooperatively to “transform challenges into opportunities” in the coming year.

Outgoing board chair reflects on 2008

At the Jan.6 Carver County Board meeting, outgoing 2008 Chairman Jim Ische, reviewed the highlights of 2008 including new projects and initiatives, improved and continued efficiencies and awards received. 

Here are excerpts from his speech:It is only fitting that as Carver County closes the books on 2008, we should reflect on the past year.The county broke ground on a new Service Center in Chanhassen which is slated to be opened to the public on March 9. The service center in Chaska is being renovated and expanded which should be completed on Feb. 9. The government center is also being expanded including a new courtroom and emergency operations center. All of these projects are geared toward enhancing customer service and easing space constraints.High-speed, broadband technology has made its way to Carver County. To create a more connected county, the board approved a fiber optic project linking the county’s cities, schools and libraries, and ultimately businesses and homeowners, at light speed for transferring data and information sharing.

Carver County retains a solid financial status.  In 2008 the bond rating of the county was upgraded by Moody’s to Aa2. A sustainable budget was developed with a zero tax impact to the average household and the county developed a long-term financial plan. All of these elements will ensure the county’s ability to weather future financial challenges. 

There are a number of other projects that deserve mention including:* Authorizing the use of credit cards for many county services.

* We surveyed residents to gather a pulse of the community and affirmed that Carver County residents enjoy a quality of life above the national norm. 

* GoCarverGo launched as a new active living Web site for residents. 

And of course I can’t review 2008 without mentioning the completion of Highway 212 which has transformed the transportation landscape in the county. Also, improvements were made to a number of county roads including 10, 17 and 18. 

And Money Magazine listed Carver County as the third best place for a long life. 

It’s truly been quite a year. The county has made substantial progress in many areas that can be built on in 2009. This work will prove critically important as we continue to grapple with continued state budget reductions.