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Friday, October 21, 2005
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Does Region 5 work? Counties gather to discuss future Senior Reporter The future of the Region Five Development Commission brought representatives from five counties together Thursday in Brainerd.
The commission was established in 1973 by area governments to help with growth issues affecting people across governmental lines. The goal was to provide common solutions by pooling resources. Thursday, people who represent Region Five's members across five counties discussed whether the idea was still working.
Todd County Commissioner Janet Goligowski said some people are still wondering what Region Five is and why it was needed. About 36 people, representing Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties -- the participants in Region Five -- attended the session at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.
Who pays
Region Five Development Commission gets funding from levy dollars from participating counties. Levies payable in 2006 call for:
Cass County, $61,318.
Crow Wing County, $111,971.
Morrison County, $31,483.
Todd County, $19,337.
Wadena County, $9,763.
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There are both supporters of Region Five's programs and critics who appear unsure that the commission can justify the tax dollars it spends. Suggestions included a name change, greater communication about just what the organization does and a possible site change from offices in Staples, which were deemed by several as unsuitable.
Many asked for more accountability in accounting and whether specific programs were costing money or making it. Region Five is able to access funding dedicated for regional entities.
"We've had problems," said Lucy Nesheim, Region Five board chairwoman. "We are doing the best we can to fix it. There is a deep need for what we give."
Mary Harrison, Wadena County commissioner, said the transportation efforts work well. But speaking for herself, Harrison said she would rather see the bulk of the tax dollars go to the Initiative Foundation.
Robert Yochum, Cass County administrator, said he was not sure where the county dollars were going and his board was suggesting the money could fund people providing services in the county.
"How do we justify that tax money going to Region Five?" Yochum said.
Asked if Region Five should continue in its present form, Crow Wing County Administrator Peter Herlofsky Jr. said: "I would hope not because that would mean nothing has been accomplished."
Herlofsky said he hoped the group would take the opportunity to update the organization.
"We want to amend it not end it," said Tim Houle, Morrison County administrator, who helped facilitate the session. Houle said Morrison County is in favor of Region Five continuing. Houle questioned whether Region Five's work in the things it does well -- work in the areas of transportation, economic development and community-based planning, particularly for townships and cities -- would not simply be replaced by several organizations instead of one. The work for senior citizens, run from St. Cloud, was also praised as a good program.
Cass County Commissioner Jim Demgen said Region Five fell apart and its management team could not communicate with its members.
"It was a disaster," Demgen said. "It needs to be said."
Region Five's internal turmoil gained greater public attention after the resignation of its director and after problems with a revolving loan fund for Individual Sewage Treatment Systems. Region Five is paying $133,631 to replenish money that was supposed to go to a revolving loan fund. The money was supposed to be placed in a separate account for eventual payback to the state in 2012. Instead the money went into Region Five's general fund and was spent on other items.
Recommendations from the meeting will be forwarded to the commission.
RENEE RICHARDSON can be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
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