04-03-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--April 3, 2000 2109 Mr. Montplaisir said one opportunity to study county government would be to review and implement some of the outcomes detailed by Project Tomorrow, a community-wide planning effort. He prepared two options for the Board's consideration today. One option is to create a local advisory study committee and direct the county auditor to prepare a resolution for the next agenda to include names of prospective committee members, one name being submitted by each commissioner. The second option is to put the question of creating a local advisory study committee on the June 13 primary election ballot asking the voters if they want the Cass County Commission to establish a five-member advisory study committee. The deadline for certifying a question to be placed on the primary election ballot is April 14, 2000. Charlotte Sandvik, County Treasurer, serves on the Project Tomorrow committee and gave a brief overview of the project scope and ongoing meetings. Commissioner Quick has also been involved in Project Tomorrow and represents Cass County on the government implementation team. Mrs. Schneider asked Birch Burdick, State's Attorney, if the county commission can create a study committee without putting the question on the election ballot. Following strict language of the law, Mr. Burdick said it would seem that the Commission needs to put it on the ballot, however, it would certainly meet the spirit of the law if the Commission decides to appoint a study committee without taking time to pose the question to the electorate. Mr. Montplaisir said his concern with putting the question to the voters is lack of space on the primary election ballot. Mr. Wieland said he supports the Commission appointing an advisory committee because he believes Cass County voters would want to have a committee study the existing form and powers of the county for comparison with other forms and powers available under State law. Mr. Meyer said it would save time by having the County Commission appoint a committee rather than waiting for a vote of the people in the event a study will be done anyway. Mrs. Quick sees this as an opportunity to continue the work of Project Tomorrow by encouraging communication between the entities involved on ideas such as shared services. MOTION, passed Mrs. Quick moved and Mr. Wieland seconded to create a Local Advisory Study Committee in accordance with NDCC Chapter 40-01.1 and direct the county auditor to prepare a resolution creating the committee for the April 17 County Commission meeting. Each commissioner shall submit the name of a prospective committee member to the county auditor in time to be included and discussed at the April 17th meeting. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 12. VOUCHERS, Approved MOTION, passed Mr. Koenig moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded to approve Voucher No. 138,549 through No. 138,996. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 13. MEETING UPDATES; COURTHOUSE FRONT ENTRANCE; COURTHOUSE LUNCH ROOM REMODELING; CITIZEN AWARENESS MEETINGS, Committee reports Commissioners reported on meetings they have attended in the past two weeks, as well as upcoming meetings.