By Sara Strong Before the Rock County Board of Commissioners reviews options for funding law enforcement next week, the city of Luverne is forwarding the board one more idea, making it a total of five it wants the county to consider. Luverne is trying to save money in various contracts it holds with Rock County, and Rock County is trying to stay above water, with the potential of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars on the horizon. City Administrator Greg LaFond said that county representatives have reiterated to him that Luverne is nearly half the county’s population. Acknowledging that, LaFond said that still isn’t a reason Luverne should pay half of the county’s law enforcement costs, because even without a Luverne contract, the county would have to provide the service to Luverne, even if it was at a reduced level. Some costs, such as salaries, prisoner board and health care and bailiff and matron costs, shouldn’t be considered a part of Luverne’s contract because they would exist without the contract, LaFond said.The 2004 Sheriff’s budget is $1,036,261. The city of Luverne pays a contract amount of $447,486. City taxpayers contribute $536,983 through city and county taxes. The most recent option from the city would have taxpayers contributing $294,885. LaFond said, "This addresses the population concern." He calculated Luverne’s suggested cost by considering the city should pay 47.5 percent (its proportion of the county population) of law enforcement costs, figuring the county would have some fixed costs without Luverne. Councilman Pat Baustian said that since law enforcement has been on the forefront of council discussion, he wanted to involve the council in researching how it could save money. He suggested members take a field trip to other counties of similar population. He said, "I think it would be a benefit to what we’re going through." He said it may even help the county to see how other departments operate in similar counties. Mayor Glen Gust said, "I’ll say it again, but I think it is most important that we work together. ... We just can’t trash all of these [agreements] right away."
