By Dave Baumeister
County Correspondent
SIOUX FALLS – This week, Bob Thimjon, the chairman of the county’s Financial Action Network presented Minnehaha County Commissioners with seven recommendations for financial moves they believed should be taken.
The committee, which previously met in 2017, is made up of 10 area business and accounting professionals (four returning members), along with four county government officials.
Starting last December, the group was tasked with analyzing the county budget data to provide guidance on goals approved by the commission.
Thimjon went over the recommendations made by this team, which mainly focused on how future budgeting and opt-outs should be handled.
As to budgeting the Financial Action Network offered that the county should implement more of a “buffer” that would include a “targeted end-of-the-year reserve.”
Thimjon emphasized that for the past few years, the county has had the benefit of $6 million in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds, but he warned that they will dry up soon, and that the county has to be ready with future plans.
And the first recommendation of the FAN was that the county needs to develop a five-year forecast for budgeting.
They feel that to get the money to operate, the county may need to implement opt-outs for each of those five years, and the forecast would help them determine exactly what is needed.
Thimjon added that the group felt the county should have an “opt-out strategy” that would help educate the public on the need of any opt-out, as well as where that money will be spent.
He also stressed they should ask for more incremental opt-outs to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
As another recommendation, the committee suggested the county keep reserve funds, specifically calling for a three-month cushion in the budget.
And along with the five-year forecast plan, they felt Minnehaha County needs to develop five-year capital expense plans to better plan for needed future building projects.
But overall, even though they had suggestions, Thimjon said the committee felt they couldn’t find an “inefficient area that was just glaring.”
“We think Minnehaha County is being very well run, and they are efficient for the taxpayers.”
April proclamations
Toward the beginning of the meeting, the commission voted to sign three proclamations for later this month.
April 9-15 was recognized as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week recognizing all of those that represent the first line of first responders who field calls in emergency situations.
Commissioner Dean Karsky said he was happy to recognize this group, as they don’t get the “closure” that others get.
“They get very intense phone calls, but they have to pass them on. It is a difficult job; challenging job, and they definitely don’t get the credit they deserve,” he said.
The second proclamation was read by Human Resources Director Carey Deaver for Volunteers Week.
The week of April 16-22 brings recognition to the 213 (average) monthly volunteers, who by giving their time, allows the county to operate at that efficient level Thimjon spoke of.
The proclamation pointed out how volunteers help save Minnehaha County tens of thousands of dollars annually.
The final proclamation recognized April 16-22 as National Work Zone Awareness Week.
County Highway Superintendent Steve Groen said that, nationally, there were 774 work zone fatalities last year, and another 44,000 injuries.
A major purpose of the week is to remind drivers to slow down around work zones and be alert.
The next county commission meeting will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, on the third floor of the Minnehaha County Administration Building at 6th and Minnesota in Sioux Falls.
