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Commission Minutes-August 11, 2005 2937 SPECIAL MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION AUGUST 11, 2005 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Chairman Darrell Vanyo called the meeting to order at 8:20 AM with all members present as follows: Scott Wagner, Vern Bennett, Ken Pawluk, Darrell Vanyo and Robyn Sorum. Also present were County Auditor Michael Montplaisir, County Coordinator Bonnie Johnson, and Accountant Mary Matheson. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mr. Vanyo led the Pledge of Allegiance at this time. 3. BUDGET OVERVIEW, 2006 budget summary Mr. Vanyo opened the meeting by saying the budget is one of the most important things commissioners do in terms of exercising fiscal responsibility, and it is his objective to lower the mill levy so there is room for growth in years when the economy may slow down. He reminded commissioners of situations they have faced with county residents during the board of tax equalization meetings. Mr. Montplaisir gave an overview of the 2006 preliminary budget, which would result in an overall mill rate decrease of three mills. The mill levy decrease is possible because of healthy fund balances in the general and human service funds and the increased taxable valuation of the county. He said the projected valuation for 2006 is $355 million, up from the $325 million dollar valuation for the 2005 budget. Mr. Montplaisir said employee salary increases amount to about 5.4% over the projected salary expense for 2005, based upon a 3.5% cost of living adjustment and step increases received by employees on their anniversary date. He said health insurance is projected to increase 8% in the preliminary budget; however, the health insurance carrier has not yet completed their rate study for 2006. He said Blue Cross Blue Shield is also proposing dental insurance, and the commission may want to consider appointing a committee to review that. New employee requests total 11 in the 2006 budget, two being in the county coordinator budget, one for information technology, one for state's attorney, two for county jail, one for veteran's service and four in the human services budget. Debt service and capital proiects funds Mr. Montplaisir talked about debt service funds, which are the result of citizens initiating improvements within their subdivision. The county levies special assessments against the property owners to generate funds to payoff the bond debt. Concerning capital projects funds, Mr. Montplaisir said there are two groups and the first is connected to some of the debt service funds mentioned previously. Other capital projects funds include the vector building fund, the jail building fund and the future building fund. He said it appears no motion is necessary for the capital projects budgets unless the board anticipates needing more than the current $750,000 allocation for future building plans.