You're invited to the Morgan  Christmas Party Saturday, Dec. 12 at the City & Country Tavern in Morgan. The night will feature comedy by Tina and Lena. Invite your employees, co-workers or friends for a night of entertainment. Meal will be choice of prime rib, shrimp, chicken and includes baked potato, vegetable and salad. Tickets are $25 per person and includes one free drink. No parties too big or too small. Happy Hour is from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Dinner from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Entertainment from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m.

By Walt Olson
Third District County Commissioner Al Kokesch was the guest speaker at the Morgan Lions meeting Nov. 23. He gave the Lions an overview of the current state of government in Redwood County. Kokesch is chairman of the commissioner board.
Prior to  his talk Kokesch handed out three pamphlets printed by the Association of Minnesota Counties: “Duties of a County Commissioner,” “Fourteen Reasons Why Property Taxes Vary from Year to Year,” and “A Guide to Minnesota’s Property Tax System,” and “Minnesota County History,” which shows how the counties got their names.
The Redwood County budget ranges from $22 to 26 million, Kokesch said. The current 2010 levy is $10,584,639.
He noted that Redwood County has 170 employees plus five commissioners, and a total payroll of $9.8 million.

There are 70 boards, committees, and joint powers groups, and 16 departments.
The 2010 levy, Kokesch said, is a zero increase, $10,584,639, of $25 million. The balance comes from state and federal and fees, grants, etc. The past 18 months the state unalloted Redwood County $303,000. Interest income dropped from about $325,000 to $100,000. Union contracts for 2010 show 2.5 percent step raises and 2.5 percent COLA (Cost of Living Allowance).
“To balance the budget we need the 2.5 percent COLA-unions,” Kokesch said.
He noted that during 2009 four supervisory positions were not replaced.

The new Government Center, the former Morgan’s store, opened Oct. 5. The remodeling cost about $3,150,000. An open house is planned during the next several months. The new Government Center has eight offices, all at street level. They include Administration, Environmental, Auditor/Treasurer, Assessor, License, County Board meeting area, Recorder, and Extension. The Veterans Service Office is also in the building.
“We rejected the bids as too high for the jail/law enforcement center,” Kokesch said.

By Daniel McGonigle
Publisher/Editor
A familiar face is among the “new teachers” at Cedar Mountain schools.
Jeremy Robinson, who has been with the district for four years, is the other of the new 6th grade teachers at the school.
As the students settle into the 2nd quarter at the school, Robinson too is settling into his new responsibilities.

By Daniel McGonigle
Publisher/Editor
Construction has begun on the Housing with Services Project adjacent to Gil-Mor Manor.
As it stands, the board expects the building to be completed sometime in spring of 2010.
“If things go according to plan, the project should be completed and ready for occupancy in May,” said Gil-Mor Foundation member  Arlyss Volbrecht. “We are really excited to have this underway.”