DOUGLAS COUNTY

BUDGET HEARING

November 30, 2023

6:00 P.M.
Rules of the Meeting

The purpose of the budget hearing is to talk about the county budget and county
levy.

State your name and address when speaking.

The county board does not have information specific to your property and is
unable to discuss individual property tax questions during this meeting. Please call
the County Assessor’s office at (320) 762-3884 to make an appointment to discuss
questions specific to your property.
 • Property Tax Statements are mailed on or before March 31st.
• Valuation Notices, affecting the subsequent year’s taxes, are
also mailed each Spring with the tax statement. They are
printed on colored paper to differentiate from the tax
statement.

Sequence of • Valuation Notices include the date of your local city/township

Board of Appeal & Equalization Meeting to discuss your
Property Tax valuation questions. That is the appropriate meeting to
attend if you disagree with the valuation of your property. If
Mailings after that meeting you still disagree, you can appeal to the
Douglas County Board of Commissioners. The County Board
of Appeal & Equalization Meeting is held in June.
• Parcel specific Truth In Taxation Notices (TNT) are mailed
mid-November to notify taxpayers of the various budget
hearings held by the county, school district and city/township
that affect their property.
13 Reasons Your Property Taxes Might Go Up
(Or Down)
1. The market value and/or classification of your property may change.
2. The market value and/or classification of other properties in your taxing
district may change, shifting taxes from one property to another.
3. The State of MN General Property Tax may change.
4. The City or Township budget & levy may change.
5. The County budget & levy may change.
6. The School District’s budget & levy may change.
7. A Special District’s budget & levy may change.
13 Reasons continued …

8. Special Assessments may be added to your property tax bill.

9. Voters may have approved a school, city/township, county , or special
district referendum.
10. Federal and State mandates may have changed.
11. Aid and Revenue from the state and federal governments may have
changed.
12. The State Legislature may have changed the portion of the tax base paid
by different types of properties.
13. Other State Law changes may adjust the tax base.
Of the 13 reasons your property
taxes might go up or down, the
County Board has discretion over
the COUNTY budget and levy
only.
How Changes Affect Property Taxes
 Jill Frisell,
Finance Director
 100%
Budget 2024 80%
Douglas County

10%
 How the Budget Process Works

COUNTIES PROVIDE
essential community programs and services such as road maintenance, law
enforcement, social services, and veterans services.

EVERY YEAR
Counties pass a new budget to cover the costs of these crucial
services. Residents are welcome to participate in the budget process
by attending and speaking at public hearings or by contacting their
County Commissioner throughout the process.
 JUNE - AUGUST
Departments estimate the
County’s need for programs
and services and their costs.
NOVEMBER
Residents notified of proposed property tax and
invited to attend/speak at public meetings:
Truth in Taxation Meeting, November 30, 6:00
p.m. Douglas County Board Room 821 Cedar
Street

AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

AUGUST – SEPTEMBER DECEMBER

County Board of Commissioners County Board of Commissioners
uses estimates to create a approve a final levy and
preliminary budget. budget.
 Budget Drivers

Key budget drivers

include keeping up with state
Most of the County’s mandates, scheduling road
services cost is in our projects with new available
staff and without staff, we Douglas County funding, maintaining vital
cannot deliver vital and service levels to meet
is constantly working to manage
mandated services. increased caseloads, and
service demands with the need to keep
maintaining facilities and
levies low and plan for the future in a
amenities that contribute to
fiscally responsible way.
quality of life.
 Where Does It Come From?
Transportation Sales Tax
Federal Grants and $7,300,000
Reimbursement of Services
$4,566,280 Charges and Fees
$4,408,813
7%
21% 11%

State Grants, Aid, and 6%

All Other Revenues
Reimbursement of $1,640,642
Services 2%
3%
$14,732,544

Planned Use of Fund Balance

$1,833,576

50%
Property Taxes
$34,305,047
2024 Proposed Revenue Sources
 Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go?
Douglas County Expenses, 4-Year History
[2024 Proposed]
70,000,000

60,000,000

50,000,000

40,000,000

30,000,000

20,000,000

10,000,000

0
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Highways and Streets General Government Public Safety Human Services

Culture and Recreation Debt Service Conservation of Natural Resources Capital Outlay
Intergovernmental Health Economic Development
 Comparative Expenses
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Highways and Streets 14,869,723 14,537,152 14,801,826 18,894,266 18,815,058

General Government 11,114,761 11,562,064 12,832,785 13,008,552 14,529,825
Public Safety 11,206,768 11,601,889 12,039,377 12,913,636 14,768,480
Human Services 10,362,582 10,821,605 11,112,483 11,686,499 12,957,935
Culture and Recreation 2,153,351 2,086,422 4,234,517 2,394,426 2,902,356
Debt Service 2,008,912 1,988,438 2,348,863 2,415,456 2,487,391
Conservation of Natural Resources 1,069,564 1,085,974 1,133,792 1,093,392 1,128,880
Capital Outlay 527,515 2,234,987 250,000 366,153 366,153
Intergovernmental 510,000 510,000 452,831 492,378 492,926
Health 252,063 252,063 252,063 263,998 263,998
Economic Development 56,528 57,528 57,528 66,246 73,900

54,131,767 56,738,122 59,516,065 63,595,002 68,786,902

 2024 Proposed Expenditures

27.4%
21.5% 21.1% 19.2%
4.2% 3.6% 1.6% 1.4%
HIGHWAYS PUBLIC GENERAL HEALTH AND CULTURE AND DEBT SERVICE CONSERVATION OTHER
AND STREETS SAFETY GOVERNMENT HUMAN RECREATION $2,487,391 OF NATURAL $932,979
$14,768,480 $14,529,825 SERVICES $2,902,356 RESOURCES
$18,815,058
$13,221,933 $1,128,880
 Highways & Streets

27.4%

Administration
Road Maintenance
Engineering and Construction
Equipment, Maintenance and Shop
Materials and Services for Resale
Central Fueling
 Public Safety

21.5%

Douglas County Sheriff

Douglas County Jail
Drug Task Force
Boat and Water Safety
Enhanced 911
Dispatch
Medical Examiner
Probation
Emergency Management
 General Government

21.1%

County Auditor/Treasurer Elections

Finance Coordinator
County Attorney Surveyor
Planning and Zoning County Assesor
Recorder Commissioners
Court Administration Law Library
License Bureau External Auditors
Information Systems Central Services
Veterans Services Humane Society
Facilities Maintenance
 Health and Human Services

19.2%

Human Services: Financial Services:

Children’s Services
Child Care and Foster Care Licensing
Chemical Dependency
Mental Health
Developmental Disabilities
Adult Services
SNAP (Food Support)
Cash Assistance
Emergency Assistance
Child Care Assistance
MN Health Care Programs
Child Support Services
 Culture and Recreation

4.2%

Library
Parks
Historical Society Appropriation
Land of the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging
Senior Citizens
Rainbow Rider Appropriation
DATA Trails
Central Minnesota Elder Network Appropriation
Debt Service

3.6%

Principal
Interest
Administrative Charges
Conservation of Natural Resources

1.6%

County Extension
Soil and Water Conservation
Land & Resource Management
Agricultural Society Appropriation
Agricultural Inspection
 Other

1.4%

Intergovernmental
Capital Outlay
Economic Development
Serving Our People

51 PEOPLE
(28 adults/caregivers and
23 children) served through
Emergency General
Assitance funds – issued
towards housing expenses
to prevent eviction or utility
disconnect
51
Human Services
Income Maintenance
January 1, 2023 to October 1, 2023
1,552 PEOPLE 872 ADULTS 1,248 ADULTS
(534 adults/caregivers
and 1,018 children) Without children who Without children who
receiving cash and food have a disability receive Supplemental
assistance through 71 FAMILIES receiving General Security Income
Minnesota Family Assistance cash receiving Minnesota
Served through Child Supplemental Aid cash
Investment Program - assistance
Care Assistance assistance
Monthly
1,552 71 872 1,248
 Human Services
Income Maintenance
January 1, 2023 to October 1, 2023

21,909 PEOPLE
(14,422 adults/caregivers 7,517 PEOPLE
and 7,487 children)
receiving nutrition Receiving health care
assistance through SNAP assistance

21,909 7,517
 Human Services
Children and Family Services

In addition to child
support services
and financial assistance programs,
During the past year Douglas County Social Services continues
ARPA funds were utilitzed to to provide assessment and case
provide start-up costs and management in a number of critical areas
expand childcare services for including mental health for adults and
several childcare providers in children, child protection, developmental
Douglas County. disabilities, adult protection, substance
abuse, and licensing.
 Public Safety

PATROL CIVIL PROCESS

COURT SECURITY
JAIL SHERIFF’S
OFFICE
WATER PATROL

INVESTIGATIONS
TRANSPORT

DISPATCH/COMMUNICATIONS RECORDS AND ADMINISTRATION

 Public Safety
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for providing public safety services for the County and is comprised
of several different areas to carry this out. The Dispatch Center provides dispatch services for all law enforcement
agencies, fire departments, and emergency medical services in the County. The Law Enforcement Center houses the
Sheriff’s office, Dispatch, and the Office of Emergency Management and Public Information.
The Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting the property, rights, and dignity of all people.

16,905 36,000 156

calls for service
responded to by the
Douglas County Sheriff’s
Office in 2022
approximate number of
911 calls received through
the 911 Communications
Center annually
inmates, the facility capacity of the
Douglas County Jail. The jail houses
all Douglas County inmates and
inmates for other counties and the
State of Minnesota.
 Elections

2022 General Election

(most recent election)

19,807 Total Voters, 72.74% Voter turnout

27,231 Registered Voters at 7:00 a.m.

787 New Registrants on Election Day

4,546 Absentee Ballots

 Public Works
Douglas County is responsible for 550 miles of roads, 400 of which are
paved and 150 unpaved, under three categories:

County
Municipal
State
State Aid County
Aid
Highway Roads
Highway
(MSAH)
(CSAH)

The County performs summer and winter road maintenance including:

Sanding/Salting Erosion Control

Replacing/Installing New Culverts Pothole Patching
Emergency Repairs/Storm Cleanup Ditching/Shoulder Work
Brushing Graveling Roadways
Plowing Grading
 Transportation Sales Tax

$7,300,000

In generated revenue, largely from visitors to Douglas County (a new

revenue source, authorized October 2014). This revenue is being used
entirely to reconstruct roadways included in the County Highway
Improvement Plan
 Recorder’s Office
The County Recorder is the custodian of legal records pertaining to real estate, birth, death, marriage, ministerial credentials, notary
public commissions, state and federal tax liens, and military discharges. The Recorder’s Office also serves as a Passport Acceptance
Facilitiy on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.

2023 DATA (JANUARY 1 – OCTOBER 20)

46
ministerial credentials filed
4,616 73
certified birth and notary public
death certificates commissions filed
issued

5,717
252
real estate documents certified marriage
1,598 recorded certificates issued, 233
passport photos taken, 1,201 marriage licenses issued
passport applications accepted
 Land and Property

28,765 Real Estate

and Personal
Property Tax Tax Capacity Value
Statements $91,920,115
Taxable Market
Estimated Market Value
Value $8,556,984,751
$8,803,426,800
710 Mobile Home
Statements
 Land and Resource Management

The Land & Resource Department is responsible for planning, land development, and
environmental protection for the County. Services to County residents provided by
the department include planning and zoning, construction and development
permitting, septic sanitation, solid waste regulation, feedlot management, and
aquatic invasive species prevention. In 2023 programs from this department
interacted with and assisted thousands of residents and visitors to the County. These
activities included:
Issued over 500 permits for new and/or renovated structures

Approved over 72 land subdivisions and 27 residential plats

Considered 19 special use permits for business and other uses

Permitted 162 new septic treament systems

Worked with contractors or landowners on nearly 400 septic inspections

Managed over 400 operating permits to ensure proper sewage disposal

Completed over 7,300 watercraft inspections at public accesses

Responded with on-site visits to 64 complaints resulting in 35 zoning violations

Completed aquatic plant surveys on 10 lakes resulting in treatments of new plant invasions
discovered and more precise management of existing infestations
Inspected over 20 feedlots and worked to assist 6 land owners in implementing resource
protecting BMPs, and inspected multiple manure applications
 Parks
The Douglas County Parks Department is a division of Public Works. Did you know that Douglas County has 8 parks?

CHIPPEWA PARK KENSINGTON

Located in Brandon Township on County Road
108. Chippewa County Park offers 15 overnight RUNESTONE PARK
camping spots nestled between Devils and
Located in Solem Township on County
Little Chippewa Lake. The two lakes offer the
Highway 103. The park has a wide array of
very best swimming beaches in the county and
offerings ranging from the historic Ohman
they are separated by about 100 yards. The
farmyard and discovery site of the Rune
park is a great place to camp, fish, swim, play
Stone to the beautiful landscapes. The Park
sand volleyball or Kayak/canoe the channel
has a new heated visitor’s center, indoor
between the two lakes.
restrooms, picnic shelters and a
playground. Newly developed dedicated
mountain bike trails and nearly 8 miles of
multi-use trails are available to ride, run

DEPUTY SHERIFF
and hike on.
LAKE BROPHY
CURTIS A. FELT COUNTY PARK
MEMORIAL PARK Located just off County Road 82 west of
Alexandria. The tops of the hills are 140 feet
Located in Alexandria on County Road 42. The park offers a
baseball/softball field, 3 playground areas, modern above Lake Brophy. The park has 6.5 miles of
restrooms, and a picnic shelter. The park was named in honor mountain bike/hiking trails and 3 miles of
of Deputy Sheriff Curt Felt who was slain by a prisoner enroute mowed walking trails. This park features a
to court in 1978. playground, swimming beach, bath house,
fishing pier, kayak launch and visitor center.
 Parks
LAKE BROPHY SPRUCE HILL
WAYSIDE PARK COUNTY PARK
Located in Spruce Hill township
Located along County Road 82 west
along County Road 105 or Spruce
of Alexandria. The park has picnic
Hill Park Road. Spruce Hill Park
tables, water access, a playground
offers users Spruce creek, a spring
and fire rings.
fed tributary of the Long Prairie
River. The creek flows through the
park and offers visitors a chance to
wade in its cool waters. The park
also offers 3 miles of multi-use
trails along with picnic shelters and
a softball field.

LAKE LE HOMME PILGRIM POINT

DIEU BEACH
Located north of Alexandria on State
Trunk highway 29. The beach has
restrooms, a parking lot and a
swimming beach.
As of 2022, this is Douglas County’s
newest park. It is 8.5 acres with around
2,500 feet of sandy beach that sits
atop a large point extending into Lake
Ida. The park in time will become a
popular spot for swimming, boating,
and picnicking.
 License Bureau
2023 DATA (JANUARY 1 – OCTOBER 31)

13,629 Driver $13,979,194.63 Fees 5,964 DNR

License Collected from Transactions
Transactions Motor
40,373 Motor
Vehicle/Drivers $522,644.30 Total
Vehicle
License for State County Fees
Transactions
$288,249.48 Fees collected
collected for the
DNR
 Veteran Services
The Douglas County Veteran Services Office assists veterans and their dependents to attain
benefits from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and the Minnesota Department of
Veteran Affairs. Below is a sample of the benefits available.

SERVICE-CONNECTED DENTAL AND OPTICAL

VOUCHERS FOR BOTH VA HEALTH CARE
DISABILITY
COMPENSATION
QUALIFIED VETERANS AND BENEFITS
THEIR SPOUSES

NON-SERVICE
BURIAL
CONNECTED
BENEFITS
PENSION
 2023 Veterans Data to Date

Phone Calls By Mail Van Riders

1,076 1,634 15

2,386 74
66 93

Walk-Ins Emails Events

attended
reaching 825
people
 Questions on the County Budget

District 4
District 2 Commissioner
Commissioner Charlie Meyer - Auditor/Treasurer
Tim Kalina Vicki Doehling
District 1 Chair
District 3 320-762-3881
Commissioner 320-808-5749 320-760-7662 Finance
Keith Englund – Commissioner District 5 Director Jill
Vice Chair Jerry Rapp Commissioner Frisell
320-760-2476 Shane Schmidt 320-762-3880
320-766-2065
320-760-1991