08-12-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--August 12, 2004 2769 DEPARTMENT HEADS--PLEASE POST IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE FOR STAFF TO READ RECESSED MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION AUGUST 12, 2004 1. MEETING TO ORDER Chairwoman Robyn Sorum reconvened the budget meeting at 8:20 AM on August 12, 2004, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse, with members present as follows: John Meyer, Vern Bennett, Darrell Vanyo, Scott Wagner and Robyn Sorum. Also present were County Auditor Michael Montplaisir, County Coordinator Bonnie Johnson and Accountants Mary Matheson and Deb Ness. 2. BUDGET REVIEW Emerqency Manaqement Dave Rogness, Emergency Coordinator, was present. He said his office will move into a new location to be shared with the City of Fargo sometime next year. He budgeted for new office furniture with the cost to be shared by the state, county and city. Also, he said the secretary's salary will be partially funded by the city in 2005, a change from previous years. He said Fargo applied for a $3.2 million grant to complete the radio system upgrade and will require a 25% match from the recipients. The grant includes requests for three radios for the emergency operations center and a portable radio for emergency management. First Link Sinisa Milovanovic, Executive Director of FirstLink, was present. He said their organization helped coordinate volunteers during the 1997,2000 and 2001 floods. FirstLink is requesting $10,000 from Cass County for next year to fund a Director of Volunteer and Disaster Services. Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead and Fargo Cass Public Health are being asked to share the costs for the position. Valley Water Rescue Rob Bye and Pete Fendt were present. Mr. Bye said the team has provided services in eleven different counties and assisted in the search for Dru Sjodin earlier this year. Mr. Bye said there are 16 divers and 4 surface support staff in their organization. Cass County contributes $4,000 and the request for next year is the same. The costs are shared with Clay County, Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead and Dilworth. MOTION, passed Mr. Meyer moved and Mr. Vanyo seconded to approve the 2005 budget request for Valley Water Rescue. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Farqo Cass County Economic Development Brian Walters, Executive Director of Fargo Cass County Economic Development Corporation, was present. Their organization is requesting $325,000 (one mill) for an increase from $250,000 budgeted in 2004. He said every measure of economic health has increased over the last year in Cass County. The county has a low unemployment rate and an excellent work force. He said Sysco, Pepsi America and Alien Technology created several hundred jobs in the county in 2003.