By Rich Larson
The Rice County Board of Commissioners has voted to cut funding for outside agencies by 10 percent in 2027, a decision Commissioner Galen Malecha said came with little warning and could have significant consequences for organizations across the county.
The reduction was approved on a 3-2 vote, with Malecha and Commissioner Steve Underdahl voting against it. Malecha said the proposal was introduced from the floor during the meeting when commissioners were scheduled to approve outside agency appropriations, giving affected organizations little opportunity to prepare.
The county provides funding to a variety of organizations that serve Rice County residents, including public libraries in Northfield, Faribault and Lonsdale, senior centers, the Hope Center, Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, the Rice County Historical Society and other organizations.
Malecha said those agencies often provide services that the county might otherwise need to provide itself. Senior centers, for example, offer exercise, educational and social programs, while libraries provide internet access, educational programming and other community services. He said even relatively small reductions can have a substantial effect on organizations operating with limited budgets.
Northfield’s library allocation is expected to be reduced by approximately $20,000. Malecha said that is a significant amount for a city department that had already developed its proposed budget before learning county funding could be reduced.
According to Northfield Director of Library Services, the library , which is already closed on Sunday in the summer, might be forced to close on Sundays during the school year as well.
Malecha said his biggest concern was not simply the reduction, but the process used to make it. He asked commissioners to table the proposal so representatives from the affected organizations could be brought into the discussion, but the request did not move forward.
He said he has asked that commissioners begin those conversations much earlier during next year’s budget process.
Malecha said outside agencies understand county funding is never guaranteed, but argued that organizations building their own budgets should receive advance notice when significant reductions are being considered.
The county is scheduled to consider its preliminary 2027 budget and property tax levy Tuesday. Once the preliminary levy is established, it can be reduced before final adoption in December but cannot be increased.
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
