'Crunch time' means tough cuts are ahead in Scott County

The growth slowdown in once-high-flying Scott County could force the county board to make $3 million in cuts to anything from parks to libraries.

"We are at crunch time, and this is going to be tough," chairman Bob Vogel said Tuesday. "It's going to be either programs or people, and we have three months to discuss that."

Senior managers have put forward a scenario that would lead to a $47 annual increase on an average-valued home.

But commissioners seemed inclined, during an informal workshop on Tuesday, to aim for a budget that would keep taxes level on homes.

"People are losing their jobs, and paying a lot more for heating and gas," said commissioner Barbara Marschall. "They are concerned about the future."

There was no systematic look at what might be cut, but several insights into what will come under scrutiny.

"We have to take a hard look at where the money is flowing out," said commissioner Joe Wagner. Among the targets, he said: "There's no building going on. How come we have the same [inspections] staff when we're booming as when we're now in the tank?"

Marschall said the board should consider simply refusing to carry out some costly state mandates, such as those in human services, for which the state provides no money. "The state is no longer a responsible partner," she said.

Commissioner Jerry Hennen, a parks proponent, made it clear that he expects parks to be a target as budget talks continue. And that worries him, he said.

"Why would people move to Scott County if we don't have anything?" he asked. "It's about our quality of life. Shakopee's parks are one reason I live there, rather than Jordan. We can't expect businesses to come here if we don't have the arts or anything to do in their off-time."

Vogel said he is concerned that there doesn't seem to be any interest in increasing the amount to be spent on roads when everyone knows that's a major issue. Senior managers didn't propose an increase, and there seemed little appetite among others to include one.

Two big decision points are looming for the board. The first, in early September, is to set what's called the "maximum levy," or the size of the total tax increase. The next, by December, is to use that as a benchmark to decide what gets cut.

County administrator Dave Unmacht described Tuesday's session as a "downer kind of meeting," but added:

"We've been blessed and lucky for many years now to be growing, building, expanding -- and now we're not. It's not fun, but it's not the end of the world. It can be a cleansing process, to sharpen your pencil and figure it out."