08-13-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 13, 2001 2326 DEPARTMENT HEADS--PLEASE POST IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE FOR STAFF TO READ SPECIAL MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION AUGUST 13, 2001 MEETING TO ORDER Chairman John Meyer called the budget meeting to order at 8:30 AM on August 13, 2001, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse, with four members present as follows: Donna Schneider, Robyn Sorum, Scott Wagner and John Meyer. Commissioner Alon Wieland arrived later. Also present were County Auditor Michael Montplaisir, County Coordinator Bonnie Johnson, and accountant Deb Ness. VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE, Annex 4th floor remodeling Commissioners received a memorandum dated August 10th, from Mr. Wieland indicating he and Chairman John Meyer revisited the 4th floor annex remodeling project with the Veterans Service Officer and staff since the time of the last Commission meeting. It was learned they do not want any remodeling done in the Veterans Service Office, and Mr. Wieland recommends rescinding the Commission action of July 9th. Mr. Meyer said the office staff did not want a wall constructed because it would decrease the amount of space they already have, and by not remodeling the office, it will save the county money in the 4th floor completion project. Mr. Wagner said he understands the files would not fit in the space measured for them because of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements for doorway openings. Concerning any future county space issues, he hopes there will be more cooperation during the project planning phase because this issue has taken too much time needlessly, and it must be resolved today. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mrs. Sorum seconded to rescind the motion of July 9, 2001, and spend no money for Veterans Service Office remodeling, as agreed upon by the Veterans Service staff. On roll call vote, the motion carried with three members voting "Aye" and Mrs. Schneider opposing. BUDGET OVERVIEW, Requests reviewed with various departments Mr. Wieland was present at this time and all Commissioners received a 2002 preliminary budget book. Mr. Montplaisir provided an overview of the proposed new budget, and he said the mill levy computed for the 2002 budget is the same as for 2001, for most funds, because of a projected 7.7% increase in Cass County's taxable valuation. The total mill levy is down by 1.88 mills, mainly due to the elimination of the loan pool in the economic development budget. Mr. Montplaisir cautioned that Fargo Cass County Economic Development Corporation indicated that a new jobs training program might be requested which would require some, if not all, of the savings projected due to the elimination of the loan pool. A proposal had not been received at the time the budget was prepared. Mr. Montplaisir said total budget requests increased by 15.2% over last year, with 9.2% of that amount being related to the new jail facility. A 4% cost of living adjustment to the pay scale for county employees was included for budget purposes. Mr. Montplaisir said the budget includes requests for 33 new positions, not all of them being full-time, and the majority are for the new jail facility when it opens. Other major cost increases are for operation of the new jail, such as energy costs.