03-18-1986 - Laserfiche WebLink

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CASS COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA Irma co.. IMMO. 11. b. 226613 Comments from the Suggestion Box, one expressing concern over employee parking upon completion of the south wing and the other expressing concern over the need for an employee lounge, will be answered by Scott Krueger in the next Employee Newsletter. Mr. Wieland suggested referring the question of an employee lounge to the Building Authority. Mr. Robert Feder, representing the Cass County Bar Association, appeared before the Board expressing great concern over the County considering court recording equipment instead of court reporters. A majority of the Bar Association members were polled last fall and unanimously opposed the deletion of court reporters in the Cass County Court. Mr. Feder stated that if the cost of court reporting is the main concern, the County Court is a revenue producing area and should be as cost effective as possible. He suggested that the County Judges review their cost schedules, and perhaps impose higher costs as a portion of the punishment. A lengthy discussion followed, and each Commissioner expressed their opinions on court reporting. Cass County Judges Cynthia A. Rothe and Donald J. Cooke were present along with Court Reporters Janet Honek and Kelly Kroke. The Commissioners received a letter from Judge Cynthia Rothe dated March 14th stating that Section 27- 07.1 -15 of the North Dakota Century Code makes the County Judge responsible for providing the court record; and the Judge may select one of two methods, either a court reporter or an electronic reporting system. She stated that the Board of Commissioners' only involvement is approving the salary. Since the compensation of Cass County Court Reporters has been an issue for some time, she proposed several options in her letter. Judge Donald Cooke presented cost comparison figures on electronic recording vs. the current court reporters. He asked Commissioner Larson to Meet with him this afternoon to compare the costs, as he feels the difference would not exceed $4,000.00 more to stay with the present method. Mr. Wieland requested that the cost comparison information be submitted to the Commissioners as soon as possible, and the information will be discussed at the next meeting. Mr. Wieland also requested information on the number and types of cases handled in Cass County Court in 1985. Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Larson seconded that a check from the Attorney General's Office in the amount of $62.9.63 for Cass County's share of the State gaming taxes be referred to the County Sheriff's Department to be used for enforcing the State's gaming laws. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Sondrall seconded to receive and file a letter from the State Historical Society notifying the Commission of the May 1 -2, 1986, meeting of the State Historical Board to consider the nomination of the Cass County Courthouse, Jail and Sheriff's Residence to the North Dakota State Historic Sites Registry. Motion carried. i'ir. Eckert moved and Mr. Sondrall- seconded to receive and file correspondence from Mark Johnson, Executive Director of the North Dakota Association of Counties regarding continuation of Federal Revenue Sharing for counties. Motion carried. Upon the recommendation of Glenn Ellingsberg, Cass County Emergency Management Manager, Mr. Sondrall moved and P4r. Eckert seconded to purchase an additional 5,000 sandbags at a cost of $1,42.5.00 from the Emergency Fund to increase the County's supply of sandbags in case of flooding. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Eckert moved and Mrs. Stanton seconded that the Chairman be authorized to sign the Certification of Authorized Official form by the North Dakota Division of Emergency Management authorizing Glenn Ellingsberg to sign necessary documents in relation to Cass County emergency services. Motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Sondrall seconded that the County Auditor be authorized to deposit the unemployment insurance refund in the amount of $30,586.55 from Job Service of North Dakota into a trust fund and to transfer an additional $10,000.00 from another budget line item so specified. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Eckert seconded to approve change order M -1 for the Courthouse remodeling project in the area of the County Court and the computer room at a cost of $17,235.00. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Eckert seconded to hire`Martha Watson of Richland County to microfilm some Cass County Superintendent of Schools' records at a cost of $5.00 per hour plus expenses, for a total cost not to exceed $1,500.00. On roll call vote, the notion carried unanimously. Administrative Assistant Scott Krueger reported that the Courthouse remodeling project is about three weeks behind schedule, but the south wing construction is about three weeks ahead of schedule. Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Larson seconded that a memo be sent to all department heads asking them to evaluate any effect that the proposed Federal and State Governments spending cuts will have on their departments and make recommendations in writing to the Commission within 30 days. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. On motion by Mr. Larson and seconded by Mrs.. Stanton, the meeting was adjourned. 0300 Suggestion box comments on employee. parking the need for employee lounge Cass County Bar Assn. rep. expressed con- cern over County Corne considering court recording equipment Gaming taxes -check from A.G.'s Office State Historic Sites Registry Cthse.,Jail Shff. Residence to be considered Rev. Sharing for Counties corres. from NDACo DES Manager to purchase addtl. sandbags DES Manager -Cert. of Auth. Official form signed Unemployment Ins. refund to be depos- ited in trust fund Cthse. remodeling- change order apprvd. Supt. of Schools records to be microfilmed Cthse. remodeling new constr. time schedules Dept. heads to notify Comm. of effect of proposed govt. spending cuts on their department budgets