Which do taxpayers prefer to know more about Tuesday when the Mower County Board of Commissioners holds its last meeting of 1999?.

Monday, December 27, 1999

Which do taxpayers prefer to know more about Tuesday when the Mower County Board of Commissioners holds its last meeting of 1999?

Will it be an annual report on the county’s drainage systems or commissioners’ salaries for 2000?

The commissioners will convene for their final meeting of the year Tuesday. Social service business will be transacted beginning at 8:30 a.m. followed by the regular agenda at 10 a.m.

Topping the meeting agenda is the personnel committee’s recommendations for commissioners’ salaries in 2000 as well as those of non-union employees.

Two years ago, the annual salary ritual saw both groups receive a 3 percent pay hike, which was in line with agreements reached with bargaining units representing other county employees.

County commissioners’ pay was increased to $15,960 annually, while per diem pay for designated official meetings they must attend was raised $5 to $35.

New salaries approved a year ago at the end of 1998 put the 1999 salaries at the $16,600 annual level and also followed the pattern of the same percentage increase as other elected officials and non-union employees, as well as the county’s bargaining unit employees.

Among neighboring counties, Freeborn County commissioners receive $18,402 annually; Steele County commissioners, $18,402; Dodge County commissioners, $12,412; Olmsted County commissioners, $22,844; and Fillmore County commissioners, $13,295.

The commissioners face a lengthy agenda when they finish the salaries matters.

There are amendments to consider for the budget for a criminal justice system interpreter and a replacement vehicle for public health nursing.

Rick Morrison, the county ditch inspector, will join auditor Woody Vereide in making an annual report on the county drainage systems. They also will propose a 2000 budget and special assessment levies.

Also, Michael Hanson, county highway department engineer, will report to the commissioners on the county’s 405-mile farm-to-market road network.