March 14, 2023 annual minutes

Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of 3-14-2023

The annual meeting of Alexandria Township was held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Hwy 29 North, on the 14th Day of March 2023.

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.

Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.

MINUTES: Moderator Van Zomeren reported the minutes from the 2022 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 $1,213,457 compared to expenditures of $1,195,715, a difference of $17,742.  Fund balance at the end of 2022 was $1,638,876.  Total net position at the end of the year was $2,925,589.  Rod Eldevik, seconded by Jeff Oberg, made a motion to approve the financial report as presented.  Motion carried.

CLERK’S REPORT:  Clerk Raisanen reviewed the 2022 approved budget of $1,038,379 compared to actual expenditures of $1,167,600.  Clerk Raisanen reported that the current budget for 2023 is $1,085,319.  The proposed budget for 2024 is $1,225,180.  The increase is primarily due to inflationary increases. To support that budget, the town board recommended a levy increase of 7.70%.

Clerk Raisanen reported building activity in 2022 continued at a high level.  Just like last year, twenty-five new homes were constructed and numerous remodeling permits were issued.

The township overlaid Maple Drive and Donway Drive.  Liberty Road will have to be rebuilt in the near future.  ALASD is in the planning stage for upgrading the sewer plant, which may result in increased costs to the township in the future.

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- $199,745, Road & Bridge- $250,867, Blacktop- $194,400, ALASD- 140,400, Snow & Weed- $72,530, Parks & Recreation- $5,000, Fire Protection- $51,780. Total recommended levy amount for 2023 is $914,722.

Jerry Wright, seconded by Jeff Oberg, made a motion to approve the levy for General Revenue in the amount of $199,745.  Motion carried.

Rod Eldevik, seconded by Jeff Oberg, made a motion to approve the levy for Road and Bridge in the amount of $280,867.  Motion carried.

Jeff Oberg, seconded by Rod Eldevik, made a motion to approve the levy for Blacktop in the amount of $194,400.  Motion carried.

Larry Steidl, seconded by Jerry Wright, made a motion to approve the levy for ALASD in the amount of 140,400.  Motion carried.

Dennis Butz, seconded by Joel Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the levy for Snow and Weed in the amount of $72,530.  Motion carried.

Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the levy for Parks and Recreation in the amount of $5,000.  Motion carried.

Jeff Oberg, seconded by Rod Eldevik, made a motion to approve the levy for Fire Protection in the amount of $51,780.  Motion carried.

Linda Dokken-McFann, seconded by Jerry Wright, made a motion to recommend moving Alexandria Township Elections from every year in March to even numbered years in November.  Linda made this recommendation as a means of saving costs to the township and to have greater voter participation in the election.  Jeff Oberg expressed concern voters are unaware they have to place a vote for every position on a ballot.  Dokken-McFann responded the election judges communicate to voters that a vote for every position on the ballot is not necessary.  Clerk Raisanen reported if the motion passes, the question will be placed on the ballot at the next township election and supervisor position term length will increase to four years from the current three years.  Motion carried.

2024 MEETING DATE:  Rod Eldevik, seconded by Joel Dahlheimer, made a motion to set the 2024 annual township meeting on March 12, 2024 at 8:00 PM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  Motion carried.

Clerk Raisanen reported that Jerry Wright and Dennis Butz have been reelected to three-year term as supervisors.  He also reported that 18 votes were cast.

Being no further business, Rod Eldevik, seconded by Joel Dahlheimer, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.

Submitted March 14, 2023

___________________________

Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this _____ day of _________, 2024                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    _____________________________

Bernie Van Zomeren- Moderator