09-19-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--September 19, 2001 2355 DEPARTMENT HEADS-PLEASE POST IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE FOR STAFF TO READ SPECIAL MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION SEPTEMBER 19, 2001 MEETING TO ORDER Chairman John Meyer called the budget meeting to order at 3:40 PM on September 19, 2001, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse, with four members present as follows: Robyn Sorum, Alon Wieland, Scott Wagner and John Meyer. Commissioner Donna Schneider arrived later. Several county department heads and some staff were also present. The purpose of the special meeting is to continue reviewing the 2002 county budget. One citizen was present, Jeannette Stanton, and she addressed the board at this time. She had just received a letter in the mail today from the County Auditor, Michael Montplaisir, which he mailed to her on September 18th as a follow-up to the budget hearing on Monday. She was upset that the letter said her lack of constructive criticism was an indication that she agrees with the budget as printed in The Forum. Mr. Wagner said it appears to him the Auditor was making the point that the public hearing is for the purpose of receiving input from citizens who would like to suggest any possible changes to the budget. The public hearing was held on September 17th. Mr. Montplaisir said the procedures set forth in the North Dakota Century Code and the Cass County Home Rule Charter are to provide public input to the budget process. He said the time for making recommendations to adjust the budget was at the public hearing, and this is not intended to provide an opportunity for blasting the Commission when they approve the final budget. The public hearing is the time for citizens to come forward with ideas on the budget, and the timing allows the Commission an opportunity to consider specific suggestions and make budget adjustments before it must be finalized, on or before October 1st. BUDGET FOR 2002, Review of county departments and outside a,qencies Mr. Montplaisir distributed copies of a budget/levy summary for the 2002 proposed budget, and he highlighted some of the changes made to date. Mr. Wieland suggested that Commissioners specify which areas of the budget they want to discuss today. He would like to review the budget requests of the Red River Valley Fair Association, Bonanzaville, Sheriff's Office and Fargo Cass County Economic Development. Mrs. Schneider arrived at this time. Red River Valley Fair and Bonanzaville MOTION, passed Mr. Wieland moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to reduce the request of the Red River Valley Fair Association from $130,000 to $90,000 and to reduce Bonanzaville's request from $55,000 to $35,000; and further, to renegotiate the lease with the Fair Association for operation of the campgrounds east of the fairgrounds to a more favorable time frame for them to make improvements that would benefit their organization and other patrons of the campgrounds. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.