08-11-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 11, 2005 2939 MOTION, passed Mr. Pawluk moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to approve the 2006 preliminary budget for the NDRIN Fund at $196,000. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 4. COUNTY COORDINATOR, COMMISSION, PERSONNEL, RISK MANAGEMENT, BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS Mrs. Johnson referred to changes outlined in budget summary cover letters dated July 14 and July 18, 2005. She first discussed the request for a new hire in the B21 pay grade to use the empty office next to hers, and the position would assist equally in personnel, the commission office and the county coordinator. Another request in Mrs. Johnson's budget is to move funds for the security officers at the courthouse and annex to the sheriff's budget, since the sheriff is more equipped to supervise and respond to security/law enforcement issues and search and seizure questions. Security cards to access county buildings are the responsibility of the sheriff's department. Other changes include a Cass County Youth Commission budget of $5,000 in the commission committee expense line item; funds to replace the laptop computers used by the commissioners and Mrs. Johnson; and replacement of the wood flooring in the courthouse at an estimated cost of $60,000. The buildings and grounds budget for jail expenses was increased in her budget to reflect the gas meter connection recently discovered by Xcel Energy. Mrs. Johnson added a request in her budget letter of July 18th for a new maintenance employee in the jail section of the buildings and grounds budget. If approved, she would request the position be assigned to the jail operations budget for supervision by jail administration. She said the four-person buildings and grounds staff keeps busy enough with other duties at the courthouse, annex and jail, without the extra work caused by the misbehavior of inmates at the jail. Mrs. Johnson provided pictures of blocked ductwork in the jail caused by inmates stuffing toilet paper and toothpaste in the HVAC systems, defacing flat surfaces, and using lead pencils to remove grout from the cement block walls. She believes a new custodial person could also supervise trustee inmates in projects, such as painting, floor cleaning and waxing. Current buildings and grounds employees were present and answered questions about the nature and frequency of inmate vandalism. Commissioners discussed jail designs and whether or not the facility is being operated as a direct supervision jail. There was a consensus to delay this item and discuss it again when the sheriff and jail administrator have their budget hearing. Mr. Montplaisir suggested leaving this portion of the budget for now, and he informed the board that he changed the commission travel budget to reflect equal amounts in a line item for each commission district. Also, he said the amount in the courthouse maintenance line item appears to reflect only the estimate of the wood floor replacement. Mrs. Johnson said the general maintenance should be a total of $110,000, which includes $60,000 for the wood floor replacement. Mr. Pawluk asked about alternatives for the wood floor, such as carpet or tile. Mrs. Johnson said she is looking at other hard surfaces but would not favor carpeting public hallway areas. Mr. Vanyo suggested reviewing Mrs. Johnson's budget request on page 44, the changes being the addition of a staff person next to her office and new laptops for commissioners.