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Date:	June 26, 2018
Contact:	Yvonne Klinnert, Public Information Manager
Phone:	651-430-6026, after hours 952-807-3723
E-mail:	yvonne.klinnert@co.washington.mn.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The following actions were taken at the June 26, 2018, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

County will use private firm for annual financial audit
The Washington County Board of Commissioners agreed June 26 to continue to use a private certified public accounting (CPA) firm to perform the county’s annual financial audit.
State law requires counties to have an annual financial audit. Washington County previously provided the required notice to the Office of State Auditor that it intends to use the services of a private audit firm for its audits for years 2015 through 2018, as provided for by state law.
A county that plans to change to or from the state auditor and a CPA firm must notify the state auditor of this change by Aug. 1 of an even-numbered year. The County Board has been pleased by the quality of the audits performed by the private audit firm and intends to retain the services of a private audit firm during the years of 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Contact: Tabatha Hansen, Accounting and Finance Director, 651-430-6027

County Board approves application for lawful gambling permit
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved an application for an exempt permit of Minnesota Lawful Gambling June 26, received from Hometown Hero Outdoor for a raffle at the Disabled Veterans Camp July 21.
The camp is in May Township.
After approval by the County Board, the application will be sent to the Minnesota State Gambling
Control Board for consideration.
Contact: Steve Gransee, Taxpayer Services Election Division Manager, 651-430-8272

County Board approves temporary on-sale liquor licenses for food association
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a one-day temporary on-sale liquor licenses June 26 for the Minnesota Food Association to conduct a special event July 14 in May Township, and to conduct a second special event, also in May Township, Oct. 14.
The Sheriff's Office has been notified of the events, the requirements for issuing the licenses have been met, and the appropriate fees have been paid by the applicant.
Contact: Steve Gransee, Taxpayer Services Election Division Manager, 651-430-8272

County will hire appraiser to work in Lake Elmo
Washington County will add a residential property appraiser to work in the City of Lake Elmo.
The County Board approved the hire June 26.
The City of Lake Elmo has entered into an agreement with Washington County to perform local assessing duties effective July 1. Lake Elmo has approximately 5,000 residential properties and has been adding nearly 300 new homes each of the last two years. This annual growth is expected to continue for at least the foreseeable future. To fulfill the terms of the agreement, the county requires an additional full-time residential appraiser.
The City of Lake Elmo will pay a fee to the county for assessment services annually beginning in 2019.
Contact: Jennifer Wagenius, Property Records and Taxpayer Services Director, 651-430-6182

County purchases land to be included in Big Marine Park Reserve
Washington County will purchase three lots on Margo Avenue in Scandia, part of Big Lake Estates, for inclusion into the Big Marine Park Reserve.
The County Board approved the $571,000 purchase June 26.
The purchase is consistent with plans set out for the park reserve in 1989, and was initiated by the property owner. An appraisal was completed and reviewed by the County Board. 
The purchase price will be funded by Land and Water Legacy Program proceeds. A request will be made to the Metropolitan Council to reimburse the LWLP fund for 75 percent of the acquisition cost, or $428,250.
Contact: Sharon Price, Property Manager, 651-430-4391

AAA Striping Service Company will do lane striping in county
AAA Striping Service Company will do lane striping on roadways in Washington County over the summer after the County Board approved a $151,560 contract with the company June 26.
Washington County also partners with local communities throughout the county for roadway pavement marking. Cities and townships will be able to have their roads striped under Washington County's contract and reimburse the county for the work.
Contact: Joe Gustafson, Traffic Engineer, 651-430-4351

County Board proclaims July as Park and Recreation Month in county
The Washington County Board of Commissioners proclaimed July as Park and Recreation Month in Washington County June 26.
Each year since 1985, Americans have celebrated national Park and Recreation Month during July to recognize the importance of parks and recreation in establishing and maintaining the quality of life for and contributing to the physical, economic, and environmental well-being of communities. This year’s theme is "Parks and Recreation: A Lifetime of Discovery."
As an incentive to discover Washington County parks and trails, the "Passport to Parks" program encourages park visitors to explore at least five parks to receive a Washington County patch. Another promotion offered to park visitors is "Free Tuesdays." On the first non-holiday Tuesday of each month, purchasing a vehicle permit is not required to visit a county park. The next "Free Tuesday" is July 3.
Washington County Parks offer beaches on both lakes and the St. Croix River, as well as the Swim Pond in Lake Elmo Park Reserve. Campgrounds – modern, rustic, and group – are also available in county parks. Residents may use picnic pavilions and picnic areas in the parks, and trails are available for hiking and biking throughout the parks. Fishing piers, boat launches, and small watercraft launches allow access to water sports, and parks have large playgrounds.
Programs offered in the parks include naturalist-led campfire programs, birding, fitness hikes, archery, yoga, and stand-up paddleboarding. The next major event at Washington County Parks will be the ice cream social 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 19, at the Historic Courthouse in Stillwater.
Contact: Sandy Breuer, Parks Director, 651-430-4371

Deputy Yetter recipient of James Trudeau Law Enforcement Award 
Washington County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brandon Yetter has been selected by the Lakes Center for Youth and Families to be the 2017 recipient of the James Trudeau Law Enforcement Award.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners honored Yetter June 26.
The award is given annually to one law enforcement officer in recognition of outstanding dedication and service to youth in the community.
Yetter has worked to build strong and lasting relationships with both the youth and adults in the Scandia community over the past six years. Yetter is a DARE officer who teaches at Scandia Elementary. In addition, Yetter goes out of his way to interact with students and adults alike in the community. Because of the work being done by Yetter, he was nominated for this award and was selected to receive it by the Lakes Center for Youth and Families.
Yetter is a graduate of Bemidji State University with a degree in criminal justice, and has additional skills training from Alexandria Technical College.
The award is named after the former Washington County sheriff who was a co-founder of the non-profit that was the precursor to the Lakes Center for Youth and Families.
Contact: Sheriff Dan Starry, 651-430-7601

Photo cutline: Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Yetter was congratulated by the Washington County Board of Commissioners for being selected by the Lakes Center for Youth and Families to be the 2017 recipient of the James Trudeau Law Enforcement Award. With Yetter is Sheriff Dan Starry, commissioners Stan Karwoski, District 2, Gary Kriesel, District 3, Lisa Weik, District 4, and Fran Miron, District 1, Yetter, Matt Howard, executive director of the Lakes Center for Youth and Families, Carol Trudeau, Rep. Bob Dettmer, and Commissioner Jack Lavold, District 4.


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Phone:  651-430-6001  •  Fax:  651-430-6017  •  TTY:  651-430-6246
www.co.washington.mn.us
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