08-14-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 14, 2002 2484 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, 2002 MEETING TO ORDER Chairman Alon Wieland reconvened the budget meeting at 8:30 AM on August 14, 2002, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse, with members present as follows: Donna Schneider, John Meyer, Scoff Wagner and Alon Wieland. Robyn Sorum as absent. Aisc present were County Coordinator Bonnie Johnson, County Auditor Michael Montplaisir and accountant Deb Ness. BUDGET REVIEW Rural Cass County Ambulance and Rescue Association Daryl Lahren, Robert Simmons, Dan Ehlen, Richard Sinner, Mike Drees and Ken Habiger were present and expressed appreciation for past support from Cass County. Their 2003 budget request is the same amount as this year's budget. Farqo Dome Authority Russell Johnson, President, Fargo Dome Authority, and Paul Johnson, Executive Director, were present with a request that is new to Cass County this year. The Fargo Dome Authority is requesting $10,000.00 as part of a $40,500.00 study to determine the economic impact of the FARGODOME on the surrounding communities. They have also approached the Cities of Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead and Dilworth, Clay County, area economic development groups, and the F-M Convention and Visitors Bureau. Mr. Wieland said this will be discussed further but the request may need to go through the Fargo Cass County Economic Development Corporation, rather than a separate request of the county. Farqo Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments Bob Bright, the new Executive Director of the Fargo Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments, was present and indicated his agency is requesting only a 2% increase, to $6,458.00 from Cass County Government, for their 2003 operating budget. Health Insurance for count,,, employees Commissioners reviewed health insurance information provided by Mr. Montplaisir. He anticipates a 15% increase in premiums over the previous year, and the Commission needs to decide how to make up the difference. A consensus was reached to increase employees' monthly premiums for a single plan by $3.00, for a single with dependents plan by $9.00 and a family plan by $20.00 for purposes of continuing the budget process. Commissioners were also in agreement that they would favor keeping the present benefits instead of adding new employees, if more employees would mean having a less attractive benefit package. Information Services Mr. Montplaisir said the Information Services budget is very similar to the 2002 budget. The salary line item includes the current staff and the addition of a department head, sometime next year. It is not likely the position would be filled by January 1st, he said. Most of the computer upgrades to personal computers will be charged to individual departments. The AS400 should be replaced this year to take advantage of price incentives offered by the manufacturer. Aisc, the budget contains money for replacing network servers.