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BLUE EARTH-- The Faribault County Board of Commissioners held their Truth in Taxation meeting on Tuesday evening.
After reviewing the budget, they passed the tax levy for 2023 which calls for a 5.9 percent increase over the 2022 tax levy.
The reasons for the higher levy were because of a substantial rise in health insurance costs, the initial cost of body and squad car camera systems for the Sheriff's Department, an update to the tax system and a cost-of-living increase for employees.
Commissioners also approved a bid of $9,638,643 presented by Ulland Brothers of 2023 highway overlay work.
"Our engineer's estimate was $8,499,303 and we budgeted $9,149,340," Public Works director Mark Daly explained. "A seven percent inflation rate for this year after having an eight percent rate last year is part of the problem."
A public hearing was also held during the meeting due to the Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) for broadband being 50 percent complete.
Bevcomm chief executive office Bill Eckles was at the public hearing and told commissioners work on the project was running a little ahead of schedule.
"We are also applying for another grant which, if we receive it, will take care of the rest of the area Bevcomm serves in Faribault County," Eckles said.