By Richard Crawford

Plans for building a new fiber-optic ring in Carver County moved forward this week when county commissioners agreed to enter into final negotiations with a private company.

Carver County Administrator David Hemze has recommended a preliminary tax levy increase of 9.9 percent for 2009. 

The preliminary property tax levy for 2009 needs to be set by the County Board Sept. 15.

If adopted, the levy increase is estimated to increase the county portion of taxes by $68 per year for the average-valued home in the county.  

On Sept. 2 or Sept. 9, commissioners will set the preliminary property tax levy.

GoCarverGo website goes live Aug. 1 

With the death and the retirement of judges in the First Judicial District, people in four counties will see new faces on the bench.

This is because two present judges have requested transfers to Carver and Dakota counties, which means the two new judges, who are to be appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, will be placed in Le Sueur and Scott Counties instead.

While not immune to the foreclosure problems that have been reported nationally, Carver County hasn’t seen a drastic jump in foreclosure sales in the first six months of the year.

According to national reports last week, the number of U.S. households facing the foreclosure process more than doubled in the second quarter compared to a year ago, according to RealtyTrac Inc.

Carver County Commissioner Tom Workman, who represents Chanhassen, will run uncontested for re-election this fall.

The filing period for county and state offices closed Tuesday.

The filing period for state and county political offices is now open. The filing period runs through July 15.

In Carver County, there will be elections for commissioner districts 2 and 4 seats in November. Thus far, both incumbents have filed. Tom Workman, Chanhassen, has filed for the District 2 seat. Tim Lynch, Mayer, has filed for the District 4 seat.

Do you think Carver County should pursue a fiber optic ring to bring high speed communication to the area? Carver County is in the early stages of exploring a high-speed fiber optic ring. Here's a letter on the topic from Randy Maluchnik and Tim Lynch, Carver County commissioners:

Soil and Water filing open July 1-15

Candidate filing for the Carver Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor positions is open until July 15.

“Supervisors play an important role in how our community deals with a wide variety of resource management issues, including wetlands, water quality, soil erosion, and erosion and sediment control,” stated Ted Beise, SWCD board chair, in a press release.

Carver County Commissioner Tom Workman, who represents Chanhassen, announced this week that he will be seeking re-election to the Carver County Board this fall.