BLUE EARTH — With the Faribault County Truth-in-Taxation meeting set for Dec. 17, county commissioners spent some time Tuesday discussing items in the Public Works budget with director Mark Daly.

Commissioners have scheduled a budget workshop meeting for Friday and want to be sure they understand the breakdown of the costs associated with rock crushing, fuel usage, and the parks and recreation budget.

“Take one more look at the budget and see if there is anything more to trim,” said Commissioner Tom Warmka.

County Treasurer/Auditor Darren Esser will have a couple of budget options for the board to consider Friday.

“One option would see the tax levy increase by close to 4 percent,” Esser explained. “The second option would put the levy increase in the low 3s.”

In other business, the board:

o Approved the hiring of Nicholas Bleess as a full-time dispatch/jailer in the Sheriff’s Office.

o Approved the hiring of Brandee Douglas as the Geographic Information Systems coordinator, with a start date of Dec. 30.

o Approved a lease with Human Services of Faribault and Martin Counties for rental of the Faribault County Courthouse Annex. The new lease begins Jan. 1.