I am the clerk of Bancroft Township. Before taking this position, I knew little about local government. Since becoming clerk, I have learned a lot.

Townships were started to help give rural areas a voice in local government. Townships do not have the power of the city and county governments, but they are there for a voice.

To be clear, Bancroft Township is not against Freeborn Mower Cooperative Services building their new facility at their desired location north of Albert Lea. The Bancroft Township Board is opposed to the city taking it.

At the informational meeting held Dec. 9, 2019, the city mayor said they “will not provide city services to some place not part of the city.” However, the County Highway Department was provided city services when they added on to their current site, which is adjacent to the Freeborn-Mower site. The highway department is not annexed into the city. Why does the Freeborn-Mower land need to be?

Mayor Vern Rasmussen stated, “the city doesn’t like annexing fragments of property to the city any more than the township does.” My question becomes, why annex in this 25.67 acres of township land so Freeborn-Mower can build and receive services when they can build and receive services without the annexation? No other property on the east side of County Road 22 has been annexed into the city and city services are being provided to the property directly adjacent to the Freeborn-Mower site.

To me, this is more about the city taking the revenue away from the township. If the tax base is $620 annually on this 25.67 acres of farmland, what would it become if there was a multi-million-dollar development put up on that location? The city would still receive the revenue from the provided city services to the property if there was no annexation. Why should the city also take the tax base/revenue away from the township?

At the meeting, the city talked about the benefits for the city, county and school district if Freeborn-Mower built at the proposed location, and they hoped the township would not get in the way of that. Wouldn’t the county and school district still receive those benefits if the property stays in Bancroft Township? Yes, they would, but the city would lose their large revenue payment if the property is not annexed in.

We are both local governments looking out for our communities. Bancroft Township wants to be treated fairly and with respect — neither of which has happened so far.

Bancroft Township is open to discussion on reaching a reasonable agreement for both parties. Can the city say the same?

The city has said that if the township does not sign the orderly annexation, they “will just take it.” Bullying is not the answer. We are here for a voice for the rural community. What good is a voice if you cannot use it?

Karen Borneman

clerk

Bancroft Township