08-11-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 11,2003 2630 Federal reimbursement in the amount of $330,000 is expected in the election budget for the purchase of equipment due to HAVA ("Help America Vote Act"). Mr. Montplaisir said the cemetery budget should include funds, either this year or next year, to hire an engineering firm to plat more grave spaces in the county cemetery because there are only a few platted spaces remaining. Information Services Serving as acting director of this department, Mr. Montplaisir is suggesting a contract with the North Dakota Association of Counties (NDACo) to be a host county, which would mean housing a senior staff member of the association's technology team for a ~ time position. The contract person would assume most of the management responsibilities of the department, and the total cost of the consulting contract would then be $90,000. The GIS portion of this budget increased by about 60%, which includes $146,000 for a proposed update of the 1991 aerial photographs of the county. Mr. Montplaisir talked about a computer replacement rotation and server upgrades. Health Insurance Trust Mr. Montplaisir said the rate projection from Blue Cross Blue Shield for the county's self- funded insurance plan is up 10-15% for the aggregate stop loss limit and 16-22% more for the individual stop loss premium. Proposed rates for 2004 are as follows: $22 for a single plan ($19 in 2003); $72 for a single with dependent plan ($63 in 2003); and $171 for a family plan ($148 in 2003). Motor Pool Fund The county motor pool consists of six vehicles, which are billed to the various county departments that use them at 25 cents per mile. Mr. Montplaisir said a slight rate increase may be justified to fund replacement vehicles when needed. Telephone Trust Fund This fund balance includes cash and the depreciated value of the telephone equipment. Projects next year include a possible upgrade to keep the jail and annex operating if something happened to the switch or fiber optic connection at the courthouse. Emergency Fund As money is used for emergencies, the fund is replenished in future years to keep the balance around $500,000, according to Mr. Montplaisir. Treasurer Charlotte Sandvik said interest income is very Iow due to the Iow interest rates at this time. Her budget includes new equipment for folding the tax statements, at a cost of about $4,000. Tax Director Frank Klein is in Bismarck attending the State Board of Equalization meeting this week, and Mr. Montplaisir presented his 2004 budget request. The budget includes $10,000 for reassessment services.