BLUE EARTH - Elected officials from across Faribault County talked Wednesday about their tax levies and how to work together better.

County officials; representatives of Blue Earth Area and United South Central schools; and leaders from Blue Earth, Winnebago, Delavan, Bricelyn, Kiester, Frost, Wells and Minnesota Lake showed interest in finding ways to collectively reduce costs.

Each shared their 2010 preliminary property tax levies, and what they hope those figures will be in December.

County Auditor John Thompson said the county board approved a 4.1 percent levy increase by a 4-1 vote.

"Several (commissioners) talked about getting it just under 3 percent by the time the final levy is passed," he noted.

Delavan Mayor Kevin Walker said his town's levy hike was set at a 5 percent, with hopes of finalizing a zero percent increase.

Winnebago City Administrator Jennifer Feely said the City Council approved a 20 percent increase, but has traditionally worked levies that size down to about 12 percent.

Feely said the increase stems from street repairs and making up for state aid cuts.

Winnebago, with a population of about 1,400, is not subject to state levy limits.

Blue Earth City Administrator Kathy Bailey said the city certified a 16 percent increase, but she hopes for a zero percent increase, which would be achieved with $269,000 in cuts.

Judy Johnson, the Frost city clerk, said Frost certified a levy hike of 10 percent, hoping for a final of 5 percent.

"Usually every year that's where they set it," she said. "... We've got a problem with delinquent utility bills. We have debt service too."

Kiester set a 3 percent increase. Wells cited an 8.5 percent increase and anticipates a final of 5 percent.

"I'm not excited to say, the majority of those cuts have come from capital improvement," said Wells administrator Jeremy Germann.

Sharon Grunzke, city clerk of Minnesota Lake, said the council raised the levy 2.5 percent but hopes for zero percent. Bricelyn didn't have a reduction in state aid, and set a levy increase of 5 percent, while expecting a 2 percent final figure.

Blue Earth Area Schools set a maximum levy this week, but the number is fluid because the district is calling for an operating levy referendum this year.

USC had a referendum a year and a half ago, and has so far approved an 8.19 percent tax increase. Superintendent Jerry Jensen said health and safety projects are the reason.

County Assessor Sue Wiltse spoke on valuation expectations. She said there have been fewer sales, with the exception of farm land.

"If our current trend continues, we can expect a 16 percent increase on farmland," she said.

Residential properties have sold nearly on par to valuations. There also have been fewer sales, and homes are taking longer to sell.

As for these government entities sharing more to realize efficiencies, minor street repairs were discussed with County Highway Engineer John McDonald on hand. He said the county could look at it, charging for the work. Many towns without street departments are in favor of spending money with the county versus a contractor.

Blue Earth Mayor Rob Hammond brought up animal control, but no other city got involved in that discussion. He also brought up emergency services.

"We're running into situations where it comes to having ambulance crews available," he said, "where we really don't have good timing. We have people living in one town and working in another."

Others agreed and added that it is more difficult to find crew members amid an aging population and growing EMS restrictions and training requirements.

Group members agreed to assemble individual lists of capital improvement projects and repairs, in hopes they can bid projects together to lower costs.

Walker suggested looking into combining water tower maintenance. He said each town probably pays about $36,000 for a water tower maintenance agreement. He recommended they all try to use the same company to get a reduced group rate. The idea was favored by other towns.

Finally, Hammond suggested elected officials meet with area legislators to discuss concerns. Some cities said their legislators have already heard it, but haven't helped. Others said that in order for state lawmakers to really hear them they have to "keep squawking."