01-03-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--January 3, 2000 2082 14. JAIL TRANSITION PLAN, Adopted as presented Bonnie Johnson, County Coordinator/Jail Project Coordinator, provided some background on jail transition team meetings and the Jail Transition Plan presented to the County Board for approval. Commissioners Wieland and Schneider met with the transition team, and Mr. Wieland said the group was very thorough in preparing a step by step transition plan with the assistance of Jim Rowenhorst, of Kimme and Associates. Board members commended the transition team and the county's consultant for their intensive work and the amount of detail included in the plan. MOTION, passed Mr. Koenig moved and Mr. Wieland seconded to adopt the Jail Transition Plan dated December, 1999, as reported on by the jail transition committee and as outlined in the document provided to commissioners and staff. Mrs. Johnson indicated that she provided a copy of the transition plan to the North Dakota Department of Corrections, and they were also impressed by the amount of detail in the report. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 15. TAX EXEMPTION ON NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION, Proposed resolution delayed Michael Montplaisir, County Auditor, prepared a draft resolution for the Board's consideration if they wish to continue the two-year tax exemption for single family homes built in 2000. He said the cities of Fargo and West Fargo have similar policies. Mr. Wieland said he would like to defer action until receiving Fargo and West Fargo's exemption policies and until it is determined when Cass County first began authorizing the two-year tax exemption on new home construction. Mr. Koenig said he visited with Frank Klein, Tax Equalization Director, earlier today and learned that the State legislature allowed this exemption in the early 1980's in an effort to stimulate new home construction. Mr. Koenig believes that purpose was served, and that the legislature intended for it to be temporary. He said Cass County should discontinue the exemptions. Mrs. Quick said she has not supported this exemption from the time she became a county commissioner because she is concerned about the loss of taxes, particularly to the respective school districts. Also, Commissioners received a memorandum from the county engineer, dated January 3, 2000, discouraging the Board from allowing the two-year tax exemption for rural development because it often conflicts with the efforts of county and city planning organizations to encourage orderly and compact development instead of uncontrolled growth. MOTION, passed Mr. Wieland moved and Mrs. Quick seconded to delay further discussion on the two-year tax exemption resolution until the next meeting. On roll call vote, motion carried with three members voting "Aye" and Mr. Koenig opposing. Mr. Wieland requested a copy of Fargo and West Fargo's current policies, as well as some research on when this issue was first discussed by Cass County government. 16. COMMISSION POLICY MANUAL AMENDED, County fee schedule policy added In response to a change in State law, Mr. Montplaisir drafted a proposed policy relating to fees charged by county offices when providing services to the public, such as copy services, research or compiling reports, and electronic or printed computer data.