County restores AIS funding, cuts custodial staff jobs
Carver County commissioners addressed two administrative budget recommendations at their Oct. 20 meeting. One related to the county’s aquatic invasive species (AIS) program, the second to custodial services. At a meeting in September on the county’s preliminary 2027 budget and levy, funding for the AIS program was eliminated after the state cut its contribution to county AIS programs by half — from $140,000 to $70,000 — to Carver County. However, at last Tuesday’s meeting, that program was restored after new funding surfaced from a combination of additional contributions from lake association partners and the reallocation of some funding from the Carver County Water Management Organization. Also, potentially additional funding from the city of Chanhassen which has Lotus, Lake Riley and several other lakes within its boundaries. In restoring funding, commissioners and program administrators highlighted the value of the AIS program, including watercraft inspections, education and awareness, and AIS monitoring and control. Regarding the second budget conversation, commissioners voted 4-1 to proceed with an administrative recommendation to subcontract additional county building custodial work at an anticipated 2027 budget savings of around $89,000. The move would eliminate two custodial positions and involve an amendment to expand contracting of custodial services with City
