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Benton County is facing state-imposed limits on how much it can increase its levy, as well as requirements that it maintain the same level of spending for certain state-required programs. Do you have specific ideas for how to cope with unfunded mandates? Are there areas you would cut or shift spending?
Earl Bukowski - For the year 2009, we were able to do our budget and stay under the state-imposed levy. We were able to do that by asking all departments to hold the line on spending and only increase the budget by health care and salary adjustments.
Mike Landwehr - I don't have enough information at this time to answer this question.
A number of the county’s lakes, rivers and streams are listed as impaired due to the level of pollutants they contain. Is the county doing a good, fair or poor job of protecting its water resources? What are your ideas for improving water quality?
Earl Bukowski - At this time we are doing lake and stream assessments to see where the TMDL are coming from. This process takes about two years. When that is completed, we will be able to start working on the cleanup of the lakes and streams.
Mike Landwehr - The county is doing a good job of protecting its water resources. I believe there may be some grants for a study in Benton County.
Recent census data show that the number of people living in poverty in Benton County has risen, and area food shelves and homeless shelters are reporting increased traffic. Is the county doing a good fair or poor job of serving the poor? Do you have suggestions for improvements?
Earl Bukowski - Benton County Human Services is doing a nice job helping the people living in poverty. We have increased the staff in Human Services in 2008 and I believe the staff is doing a good job with the funds that are available to them.
Mike Landwehr - Many counties are facing increased traffic in food shelves and shelters due to current conditions. I believe Benton County is doing a good job.
Should Benton County financially support efforts to extend the Northstar Corridor commuter rail line to the St. Cloud area?
Earl Bukowski - Benton County has been a part of the North Star Rail Line from the early planning until 2008. At the present time I would support more funding if the bus lines were extended to serve the people of the Sauk Rapids and Sartell area.
Mike Landwehr - Not at this time. The county needs to focus on more county issues.