Anoka County determined to improve the way it does business

The County Board is resurrecting a long-dormant budget watchdog committee to oversee contracts and expenses.

By PAUL LEVY, Star Tribune

Last update: January 6, 2009 - 11:31 PM

Preparing for major funding cuts from the state and vowing "to strike hard," the Anoka County Board established a Fiscal Control Committee on Tuesday, a budget watchdog that the county hadn't used since 1991.

"We have a big ball to move ahead; we have to start early," said Commissioner Jim Kordiak, who was elected vice chair of the board after Dennis Berg was reelected chairman at the annual statutory and organizational meeting. "We're going to be at this for a while."

The committee will help the board better evaluate if cuts are needed, if vacancies need to be filled or if voluntary leaves should be encouraged, Kordiak said.

The committee will consist of the county board chairman, Berg; the chairman of the county's Management Committee, Kordiak, and the chairman of the county's Finance and Capital Improvements Committee, Commissioner Dan Erhart.

It also will oversee contracts and equipment purchases of $15,000 or more, County Administrator Terry Johnson said. The committee can restrict expenditures, including various training sessions, Johnson said. Travel budgets may be tighter and strongly scrutinized, Berg hinted.

"We think this is a good step" toward improving the way the county does business, Johnson said.

The committee is expected to be discontinued at the end of the year, if not sooner.

Ironically, Berg proposed the committee after telling listeners that "financially, we are strong."

He lauded the county's "strong, capable" workforce, but then touched a somber note by saying, "On the dark side, our partner [the state] is not as financially sound."

The state faces a projected $4.8 billion deficit for the two-year budget period that starts July 1.

"Every citizen is going to feel the pain," Berg said. "We think we need a plan to get through this."

The financial solution in Anoka County is in the hands of the county's workers, Berg said.

"It's not us," he said, referring to the board of commissioners. "It's them that in the end will make the difference."

There were few major changes announced at the organizational meeting.

But Robyn West -- with two years experience still the newest member to the board -- has taken on more responsibility, replacing fellow Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah on at least two committees.

Paul Levy • 612-673-4419