08-12-2014 Budget - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes—August 12, 2014 4354 19. COUNTY CORONER Dr. John Baird was present to discuss the 2015 budget request for the County Coroner. In the past, this department was included with the State's Attorney budget. He said last November office operations changed significantly with space in the Courthouse being provided and two deputy coroners being hired as county employees. Also, earlier this year the commission approved a new morgue and office space in the former Sunmart building on 13th Avenue and 25th Street in Fargo. The 2015 request is similar to last year with a adjustments for cost of living salary increases; $170,000 for remaining remodeling costs associated with the new building; and $20,000 for contracted services. There was discussion about contracted services, which according to Dr. Baird is for part- time death investigator staff to cover two weekends a month of call coverage. He said this will enlarge the office's on-call staff pool and will offer some relief for the two deputy coroners who provide 24-hour per day coverage all year round. Mr. Pawluk asked about the hours per month and Dr. Baird said the cost is for 120 hours per month. Mr. Vanyo asked about the video conferencing equipment for $17,000. Dr. Baird said according to Terry Schmaltz from Information Technology, this item could be scaled back to $7,000 for a point-to-point conferencing unit. Mr. Peterson said it could cost more to pull cable versus installing the item while the space is under construction. MOTION, failed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Peterson seconded to reduce the video conferencing equipment line item by $10,000. On roll call vote, the motion failed with Mr. Vanyo and Mr. Peterson voting in favor; Mrs. Scherling, Mr. Bennett and Mr. Pawluk opposed. MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mrs. Scherling seconded to remove $17,000 for a video conferencing unit. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. MOTION, passed Mr. Peterson moved and Mr. Bennett seconded to approve the 2015 preliminary budget for the County Coroner as amended. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 20. HOMEWARD ANIMAL SHELTER Nukhet Hendricks, Director of the Homeward Animal Shelter (formerly known as the F-M Humane Society), was present. Their organization is requesting $3,000 for 2015, which is the same as last year. She briefly reviewed the different services provided by the Humane Society. MOTION, passed Mrs. Scherling moved and Mr. Peterson seconded to approve the 2015 preliminary budget for Homeward Animal Shelter as presented. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 21. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS Wade Kline, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Council of Governments (MetroCOG), was present. He said the request for 2015 is $13,966.66, the local match for contracted planning activities and projects with $10,194.63 for local member dues assessment.