08-12-2014 Budget - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes—August 12, 2014 4347 RECESSED MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION AUGUST 12, 2014 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Chairman Ken Pawluk reconvened the budget meeting at 8:15 AM on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, with all members present as follows: Darrell Vanyo, Chad M. Peterson, Mary Scherling, Vern Bennett and Ken Pawluk. Also present were County Auditor Michael Montplaisir, County Administrator Keith Berndt, and Accountants Mary Matheson and Alicia Hildebrand. 2. WEED CONTROL Stan Wolf, Weed Control Officer, gave an overview of his department budget. The Weed Board is requesting 1.80 mills for 2015, which is the same amount that was levied last year. He said the budget includes equipment requests for a Honda ATV for $11,500; a Kubota UN for $16,500; and a GPS with data logger equipment for $6,000. The new equipment would replace similar items that are all at least 10 years old. MOTION, failed for lack of a second Mr. Bennett moved to approve the 2015 preliminary budget for Cass County Weed Control as presented. The motion died due to lack of a second. Mr. Peterson asked if Mr. Wolf would consider replacing only one vehicle this year. Mr. Wolf discussed the proposal with the Weed Board, and they wished to include both vehicles since cash reserves are available in the Weed Control Fund. Mr. Pawluk asked which vehicle is more important to replace in 2015. Mr. Wolf said the Kubota is older and gets more use, so that is the one that should be replaced. MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Peterson seconded to reduce the 2015 preliminary budget for Cass County Weed Control by $14,000. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 3. EXTENSION SERVICES John Kringler, Extension Services Director, was present and said the request for 2015 is $533,472, which is less than a 1% increase over the 2014 budget. He said salaries and benefits for the nine Extension employees are set by the state. He did not include any upgrades to the Bison room furniture in his budget since this budget cost was included in the County Administrator budget. MOTION, passed Mrs. Scherling moved and Mr. Vanyo seconded to approve the 2015 preliminary budget for Extension Services as presented. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously 4. VETERAN'S SERVICE Launette Figliuzzi, Veteran's Service Director, was present. She said the budget request of $287,871 for 2015 remains relatively unchanged from last year. Besides increases for employee salaries and benefits, there is a $60 increase for agency dues, and a $7,727 increase for the cyclical replacement of computers and computer equipment.