The board’s primary action item was addressing a significant overvaluation of utilities and railroads, amounting to $8,856,700. This miscalculation led to approximately $206,800 in taxes that were incorrectly distributed across seven school districts, eight cities, and 16 townships. Musa, who explained the assessment process, noted that the state periodically updates property values, and the county’s use of preliminary values in its fall submission resulted in the error. The state Department of Revenue advised handling the issue through individual abatements rather than a full tax recalculation. Musa assured the board that the abatement calculations would be completed by the following Wednesday and communicated that the tax due date would be extended by twenty days to accommodate necessary corrections.

The timing of the mail was a concern for the board, with one commissioner pointing out potential delays that could hinder companies’ awareness of their updated tax obligations. Musa confirmed that three companies were already informed, and communication with all affected cities, townships, and schools was underway. A commissioner inquired about preventing future discrepancies, to which Musa suggested implementing a triple-check system and ensuring final values are sent to assessors as well as auditors. Additionally, Musa mentioned that the discrepancy originated from a tax court settlement, a process managed by the state for utilities and railroads.

This correction added to the county’s fiscal concerns, with an already existing budget shortfall of $944,000 from the previous year. The correction could impose an estimated additional burden of $72,000. Despite these challenges, the board voted to approve the correction without further discussion.

The meeting also spotlighted rising asphalt costs, a concern for the county’s infrastructure projects. The board discussed how other counties, such as Winona and Olmsted, secured multiple bids for asphalt, whereas Wabasha County often received only one. This lack of competition resulted in Wabasha paying up to $90 per ton of asphalt, compared to around $60 in neighboring counties. The board acknowledged the financial implications, which could amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

Discussions included the feasibility of starting a county-owned asphalt plant, although concerns about cost-effectiveness were raised. Collaborating with nearby counties was proposed as a potential solution, but the board noted that transportation costs might negate any savings. These asphalt pricing issues emphasized the need for strategic planning to manage future county expenditures.

In addition to these major topics, the board addressed several other issues. During the mental health services discussion, a 4% salary increase for Eric, effective from July, was proposed. The board also examined challenges related to the rebranding of mental health services due to similar names in nearby entities. Solid waste planning was another significant topic, with concerns about the impending expiration of a contract with Xcel Energy in 2030. The board began preplanning measures to address potential waste management challenges if the contract is not renewed.

The meeting also covered housing-related matters, approving two applications for funding from the Waukesha County Housing Trust Fund. The final application for the Plainview Small Cities Development Program was submitted, with responses expected later in the summer.

Training initiatives were highlighted, including “Negotiation for County Leaders,” which aimed to enhance negotiation skills and foster trust among board members. The program involved role-playing exercises for practical skill improvement, and future sessions were planned, despite previous cancellations.

In a brief discussion, the Brady Giglio Act was mentioned, requiring disclosure of disciplinary history for law enforcement. This led to hesitance from some sheriffs regarding human resources processes.