Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 3-12-2024
The annual meeting of Alexandria Township was held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Hwy 29 North, on the 14th Day of March 2024.
Clerk Raisanen opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 8:02 PM.
Rod Eldevik nominated Bernie Van Zomeren as moderator for the meeting. Rod Eldevik moved to have nominations ceased. A unanimous ballot was placed for Bernie Van Zomeren as moderator.
The meeting was turned over to Bernie Van Zomeren at 8:04 PM.
AGENDA: Wright, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
MINUTES: Moderator Van Zomeren reported the minutes from the 2023 annual meeting had been posted on the Township Website since last year and no corrections were noted.
FINANCIAL REPORT: Clerk Raisanen reviewed the draft financial report that was completed by the Auditor. Total revenue was $1,120,260 compared to expenditures of $1,007,441, a difference of $112,819. Fund balance at the end of 2023 was $1,751,695.
CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk Raisanen reviewed the 2023 approved budget of $1,085,319 compared to actual expenditures of $1,008,270. Clerk Raisanen reported the current budget for 2024 is $1,213,701. The proposed budget for 2025 is $1,341,748. The increase is primarily due to inflationary increases and increased expenditures in roads and fire protection. The City of Alexandria recently purchased some new equipment for the fire department, which the township is required to pay a portion. To support that budget, the town board recommended a levy increase of 9.10%.
Clerk Raisanen reported building activity in 2023 continued at a high level. Just like last year, twenty-five new homes were constructed and numerous remodeling permits were issued.
The township overlaid Liberty Road with a thin overlay to extend the life of the road before the need to rebuild. Alexandria Township and Hudson Township have participated in a grant application with Douglas County to obtain state funding for the rebuilding of 50th Ave. This road is a connecting road between two county roads and also serves as a haul road from a gravel pit. If the grant is successful, this road will be rebuilt. The ALASR board recently approved a project to extend sanitary sewer lines along CR 81 and CR 82 within Alexandria Township. If the project is approved after bids are obtained, benefiting landowners will be assessed for a portion of the project costs. The town board believes these are two areas of future growth opportunities within the township.
Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the Clerk’s report as presented. Motion carried.
Joel Dahlheimer, Alexandria Township’s representative to the AAEDC, gave an update of activity from the Economic Development Commission. He reported they have money available for future land purchases or development as a result of land sales.
Clerk Raisanen presented a proposed levy for the following amounts: General Revenue- $217,722, Road & Bridge- $273,445, Blacktop- $211,896, ALASD- 153,036, Snow & Weed- $79,058, Parks & Recreation- $5,000, Fire Protection- $57,500. Total recommended levy amount for 2024 is $997,657.
Jeff Oberg, seconded by Rod Eldevik, made a motion to approve the levy for General Revenue in the amount of $217,722. Motion carried.
Dennis Butz, seconded by Joel Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the levy for Road and Bridge in the amount of $273,445. Motion carried.
Rod Eldevik, seconded by Joel Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the levy for Blacktop in the amount of $211,896. Motion carried.
Jeff Oberg, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the levy for ALASD in the amount of $153,036. Motion carried.
Dennis Butz, seconded by Jeff Oberg, made a motion to approve the levy for Snow and Weed in the amount of $79,058. Motion carried.
Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Jerry Wright, made a motion to approve the levy for Parks and Recreation in the amount of $5,000. Motion carried.
Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the levy for Fire Protection in the amount of $57,500. Motion carried.
ELECTION RESULTS: Jeff Oberg received 19 votes for supervisor and was reelected to a new term. There were 16 yes votes and 2 no votes to move the township election to even numbered years in November. As a result, there will be no township election in 2025 and the supervisor position term lengths will be four years. All existing supervisors’ term lengths will be extended to match the new November election dates.
2025 MEETING DATE: Clerk Raisanen reported that as result of the election change to November, the township annual meeting can be at an earlier time and does not have to be located at Good Shepherd Church. Jeff Oberg, seconded by Rod Eldevik, made a motion to set the 2025 annual meeting on March 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM at the township conference room located at 324 Broadway. Motion carried unanimously.
Being no further business, Moderator Van Zomeran adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Submitted March 12, 2024
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this _____ day of _________, 2024
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Bernie Van Zomeren- Moderator