09-15-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--September 15, 2004 2793 Kathy Hogan, Social Services Director, said her staff would appreciate little or no increase in health insurance rates since most of their salaries are frozen at the State merit system level. Jim Thoreson, Sheriff's Department, said he would encourage communication with employees and said they may also wish to look at some wellness programs. Social Services Mr. Montplaisir said the Social Services Board removed some items from the 2005 budget request; however, expenses would still outweigh revenues by $526,707 at this point. Jerry Skjonsby, Social Services Fiscal Manager, said there would be a $244,000 cost savings for one-half of a year if Social Service employees are allowed to opt out of the State merit system because legislation would not be effective until next July. Mr. Wagner said those costs will be there next year and the next if approved by the State Legislature. Mrs. Hogan said reserves were used in 1998 to meet expenses, and the amount of reserve funds used in future years has been fairly stable over the last 6-7 years. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Vanyo seconded to omit $25,000 from sponsorships, $5,000 from emergency services and $10,000 from seminar registrations, as recommended by the Cass County Social Services Board. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. MOTION, passed Mr. Meyer moved and Mr. Vanyo seconded to leave new position priorities #1, #2 and #3 in the budget for further discussion, thus eliminating employee priority numbers higher than 3. Discussion: Mr. Wagner clarified that the motion on the table is to remove new employee positions prioritized as #4, #5 and #6. Mr. Montplaisir said new employee priorities #7 and #8 were removed by the Social Services Board. Mrs. Hogan said she is concerned about losing this many new staff. Mrs. Sorum said she is most concerned about foster care and asked if Mrs. Hogan would like to change the priority of new positions; however, Mrs. Hogan said she is concerned about compliance issues. Mr. Bennett said he would find it difficult to cut new positions #4 and #5. At the call for the question and on roll call vote, the motion carried with four members voting "Aye" and Mr. Bennett opposing. MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to remove new position priority #3. Discussion: Mrs. Hogan said the eligibility caseload has increased 20% without a staff increase in two years. Mrs. Sorum again asked if Mrs. Hogan would like to change the new position priorities; however, she said this is how management prioritized them. At the call for the question and on roll call vote, the motion carried with four members voting "Aye" and Mr. Bennett opposing. MOTION, failed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Meyer seconded to remove the 11/2 remaining positions out of concern for current employees. The motion failed on roll call vote with two members voting "Aye"; Mr. Bennett, Mrs. Sorum and Mr. Vanyo opposing.