County board appoints attorney, to set maximum 2025 levy

The Mille Lacs County Board has officially named a new county attorney. Corey Haller was named to fill the position of county attorney, as of last week. The board approved the final agreement with Haller at its Sept. 17 meeting.

County attorney Erica Madore had resigned her post in August. While the county attorney is an elected position, statute requires the county board to make an appointment to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.

Levy, budgets for 2025

The county board has established a preliminary levy for 2025 and was expected to finalize it at a special meeting Sept. 24. The levy increase was set at a maximum of 6.09%.

The final levy needs to be approved by mid-December. The county can reduce the budget and levy amount before then but cannot raise it.

The resolution that came before the board Sept. 24 reads:

WHEREAS department heads have submitted their proposed 2025 budgets and were subsequently provided with an opportunity to discuss their requests with the Administrative Services Office and/or the County Board; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mille Lacs County Board of Commissioners approves a 2025 Preliminary Maximum Levy in the amount of $25,409,123 which represents an 6.09% increase over the 2024 Levy.