3. Vector Control budget increase

Board of Commissioners May 15, 2003 Page 2 The statutes, as noted above, limit the Vector Control District to handling a "potential or emergency health hazard" with the one mill levy authorized in NDCC 57-15-26.2. "Vector control district levies are limited to a tax levy not exceeding one mill on the dollar of taxable valuation in the district in accordance with sections 23-24-08 and 23-24-09." With the Vector Control District, we have an immediate problem--where do we find the money to cover this year's budget adjustment request? We have an intermediate term problem--if we increase the funding this year, how do we maintain that increase over the next few years? A long term problem is--can we do something legislatively to increase the levy authority of the Vector Control District? The immediate problem facing the board of commissioners is two-fold. Do we increase our efforts to eradicate mosquitoes in the county? And, if you decide to increase your efforts, where do you get the funds to cover the increased costs? The first part of the question is a public policy issue the county commission needs to resolve. On the availability of funds, I think the county's HRC gives the board enough latitude to transfer money to the Vector Control Fund from either the Emergency Fund or the General Fund. Of course, if you are funding increased efforts this year, you will need to be prepared to fund the increased efforts in future years as well. There is a little over $450,000 in the Emergency Fund and that might be the logical place to transfer dollars from this year. We do not need to transfer as much money as the requested budget adjustment since there are some reserves within the Vector Control Fund that could be used to fund part of the budget adjustment. The fund ended 2002 with about $20,000 more than anticipated at budget time last year. In addition, the county could lower the amount that would normally be kept in reserve; however, the trade-off would be that more dollars will be needed in 2004 to fund the same program. I would be comfortable using up to $40,000 from the Vector Control Fund to finance the 2003 budget adjustment, with the remainder to be transferred from the Emergency Fund. Sincerely, Michael Montplaisir, CPA County Auditor jhs M :WIIN UTES\Comm2003\VECTORBUDGETLETTER5 - 19-03.doc