Blue Earth County Justice Center

This past Friday marked the ribbon cutting for the new Blue Earth County Justice Center. This facility combines the jail, courthouse, sheriff, dispatch, and probation all into one facility. I had a tour of the old jail when I was in grade school but I vividly remember the small hallways, blind corners, and cramped conditions. No longer will the Sheriff have to transport prisoners from one building across town to a separate courthouse or walk prisoners from a car parked outside the jail into the building. No longer will prisoners, witnesses, judges, and the general public have to share a common hallway at the courthouse. No longer will the county attorneys have to walk a block from the courthouse to their offices and back in 30 below zero temperatures. The county saved up money for decades to fund the new facility and sought input from various groups and elected officials in planning this facility. Check out the website:
http://www.co.blue-earth.mn.us/dept/justicecenter.php

Government Spending

Townships differ from Cities and Counties in that the elected Boards do not have the authority to set the spending limits. Township Boards prepare a budget and make a presentation to the voters at an Annual Meeting at which meeting the voters set the spending limits for the Township. By August, the Town Board decides how much of the spending limits authorized it will certify to the County for taxing. Traditionally, South Bend Township certifies 100% of the limits authorized. MN City Councils and County Boards don't have to ask the voters for spending authorizations, those bodies set the limits themselves. They then hold "Truth in Taxation" public hearings to hear public response to their proposed spending budgets. In terms of being Grassroots Government, Township Government is really grassroots based on its system of taxation.

Local Government Meeting Times

Tuesday was the township annual Board of Equalization Meeting. This meeting is where people can challenge their property values as determined by the County Assessor. The County sets the schedule for the meetings and as usual it was scheduled for 1:30 PM. I do not think the time is very conducive for the working public. So my question is: Should local governments hold meetings at times to serve average citizens or hold meetings during the day so they can reduce costs by having county employees attend the meeting without changing their working hours?

Opening Post

There are so many things to talk about and no one place to start. I've set up this blog to simply throw things out for discussion. Most posts will involve local government politics but being in the military and living in the country provides plenty of additional material as well. I've put a Thesaurus link at the bottom as a handy reference since I use it more than a dictionary. One blog I've come across while setting up my blog tracks local government events across the country so I've put it on my blog following list. My blog is a work in progress and more of a hobby as I have much on my plate.