Sandstone Township

Wanted

Planning Committee Members

Sandstone Township Board is looking for two residents of the township who would like to become members of the planning committee.

The committee meets on the second Thursday of the month at the North Pine Government Center.

The committee deals with land use in the township and it's a learn as you go position.

Members are compensated for the meeting and travel to and from the meeting.

For more information, contact Ailene Croup - 320-420-1640, or one of the supervisors listed on this page.

Membership is a 3-year commitment. Alternates are expected to attend all meetings to keep up with current agendas. They are also compensated for the meetings and travel.

Membership is by town board appointment.

MN House Redistricting

The elections page has a link to the House Redistricting map for Pine County.

Sandstone Township is attempting to hammer out a fire contract

Update - Sandstone Supervisors will be attending the city of Sandstone's yearly fire formula meeting, Feb. 7, 2022, where the city tells the townships how much they'll pay in the upcoming year

Townships are known as grassroots government. Their residents determine how much their taxes will be. It’s up to the township board to be good stewards of that money and spend it accordingly, with every attempt to see into the next year’s needs. Only the township’s residents can raise the levy.
A city’s levy is set by the city council.
At the annual township meetings in March, all 1,790 townships in the state of Minnesota are told by their electors (residents) how much they can levy (tax) for the next year.
Sandstone Township Board has been trying to get a handle on the ever-growing increases in the city of Sandstone’s yearly fire service bill. The township was charged approximately $14,000 in 2019 and $31,000 in 2021 for fire service from the city.
The townships get some extra dollars from the county from timber sales and tax forfeited properties that sell. But, last year, the commissioners approved keeping more of that in the county’s coffers.
Those dollars help the townships to build a reserve for unseen emergencies like the floods in 2016.
The township’s electors only increased the levy in 2021 by $10,000 and had increased expenses of $26,000 which included the new grader payment and the $13,000 increase in fire service costs. They had an additional unforeseen cost Of $14,200 to extend the grader warranty in case of a serious breakdown.
The township has averaged three fires per year over the past eight years. They have offered the city of Sandstone $20,000 a year for three years with a consumer price index increase on the third year. They also gave the city a choice of $10,000 per year plus $2,000 per fire with the total not to exceed $24,000.
The township board is trying to extend the contract over a 3-year period so they can build reserves after the 40 percent increase in the fire formula depleted existing reserves.
Sandstone Township Board should be commended for their patience and perseverance. They do something unknown in most municipal governments. They have a quarterly budget review to keep constant track of expenses.
I’m not a resident of Sandstone Township. I’m their clerk. Having covered municipal government, for many years, as a newspaper reporter, ill say the Sandstone Township Board is something to watch and admire.
For those who want to be involved in their township’s government, March 8, 2022 is the day to be heard and give input on what your township taxes will be in 2023. sandstonetownship.com
Ailene Croup
Hinckley

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For more information about the fire formula and the township's negotiation, please come to the Annual Meeting on March 8, 2022 at 8:15 p.m. or contact Fire Formula Supervisor Linda Thomson

CONTACT US

Monthly Sandstone Township Board meetings are held the first Thursday of the month, 7 p.m., at North Pine Government Center (NPGC) 1610 Hwy. 23 N., Sandstone, MN 55072. The bulletin board is outside Sandstone Twp. town hall 55044 Poplar Road where notices are posted. They may also be found posted at the Victory Station.

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The Sandstone Township Planning Committee meets on the second Thursday of the month, 7 p.m., at North Pine Government Center.

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​Sandstone Township's email address is: sandstonetownship@gmail.com

Notices