08-14-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--August 14, 2001 2331 DEPARTMENT HEADS-PLEASE POST IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE FOR STAFF TO READ RECESSED MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION AUGUST 14, 2001 MEETING TO ORDER Chairman John Meyer reconvened the budget meeting at 8:30 AM on August 14, 2001, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse, with members present as follows: Donna Schneider, Robyn Sorum, Alon Wieland, Scoff Wagner and John Meyer. Also present were County Auditor Michael Montplaisir and accountant Deb Ness. BUDGET REVIEW Treasurer County Treasurer Charlotte Sandvik was present. She said the $250,000 interest revenue decreased due to a drop in interest rates. Mr. Montplaisir said the PC Software line item for $1,000 is for use of the marriage license program administered by North Dakota Association of Counties. He said $1.00 from each marriage license helps pay for this usage. Mr. Meyer asked how the EZGov website has helped her office and Ms. Sandvik believes the office has seen a 70% decrease in phone calls. She said banks, mortgage and title companies, CPA firms and realtors use the website for tax and property information. Auditor Mr. Montplaisir budgeted for ten precinct scanners, which he hopes to obtain for all precincts to replace the central count machines. He wants to place five scanners in one legislative district in Fargo; four scanners in the legislative district that covers West Fargo; and one scanner at the precinct in Casselton. He said Fargo and West Fargo are willing to pay half the cost. He said this equipment will help election workers, since they won't have to hand count ballots and will help with faster vote totals on election night. Mr. Montplaisir wants to purchase the equipment over a six-year period. He also included a raise in election pay from $6.45 per hour to $7.50 per hour, which he hopes will help recruit workers. The commission was in consensus to eliminate the North Dakota County Superintendent of Schools Association dues for a total of $325 since the auditor already pays dues to the County Auditors' Association. States AttorneyNictim Witness States Attorney Birch Burdick was present. He budgeted $15,000 for internet based research and said he moved funds from another line item to this one. He added $300 for printing brochures to distribute at public meetings. Mr. Montplaisir said it will cost around $500 or $600 as the set-up fee is what costs the most. Mr. Burdick suggested to increase this line item to $6O0. Mr. Burdick discussed the VOCA and VAWA Stop grants. He said the county received $23,000 in VAWA grant funds for 2001. He said for 2002 he expects to receive $5,000, which is significantly less than this year. Mr. Wieland said because the county is doing a good job with this program, the logic is to distribute the funds to other counties and feels this is not fair to Cass County.