CROW WING COUNTY BOARD DECIDES ON BUDGET

The Crow Wing County is to decide at Tuesday's meeting whether to increase its budget by 3% or 5% for next year. The board decided at an earlier meeting to accept the 5% increase but a 3/2 vote at the last meeting asked county staff to develop a scenario for the lower figure. County Commissioner Doug Hauge said he voted against last week's motion and supports the higher figure. Hauge said his biggest fear is that a 3% level of spending may require cuts in staff. He said he didn't want to see staff cuts until some major changes in county operating structure had been made. The board meets Tuesday, December 11th at 9:30am.