08-13-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--August 13, 2003 2634 DEPARTMENT HEADS--PLEASE POST IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE FOR STAFF TO READ RECESSED MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN.BUDGET SESSION AUGUST 13, 2003 MEETING TO ORDER Chairman Scott Wagner reconvened the budget meeting at 1:00 PM on August 13, 2003, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse, with members present as follows: Robyn Sorum, John Meyer, Vern Bennett, Darrell Vanyo and Scott Wagner. Also present were County Auditor Michael Montplaisir, County Coordinator Bonnie Johnson and Accountants Deb Ness and Mary Matheson. BUDGET REVIEW State's Attorney Birch Burdick, State's Attorney, asked the board to address salaries of assistant state's attorneys and legal secretaries during this budget period, and he requested consideration for hiring one additional assistant state's attorney and one legal secretary. He provided information on increased local law enforcement officers, resulting in increased caseloads. His budget also includes a fee of $30 for each attorney submitting continuing legal education reports to maintain their license. Mr. Burdick said there is no change in the Victim Witness budget, except in salary and benefits. Regarding the Coroner budget, Mr. Burdick has not worked out the details of the contract, however, he said the request includes a 10% salary increase, from $50,000 to $55,000. According to the coroner, the salary has remained at $50,000 for the past 20 years. Regional Child Support Enforcement Unit Kathy Ziegelmann, Regional Child Support Enforcement Director, said the 2004 budget request increased about 8% over 2003. Like the State's Attorney budget, her budget includes reimbursement for annual license fees for the attorneys. Mr. Montplaisir said some changes were made after the budget book was printed on the estimated incentive payments from the State of North Dakota, and Mrs. Ziegelmann concurred with the amount. Motion, passed Mr. Bennett moved and Mr. Meyer seconded to approve the Regional Child Support Enforcement Unit 2004 budget with the changes made by the director and the county auditor on estimated incentive payments. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Red River Valley Fair Bruce Olson, Red River Valley Fair Manager, requested an appropriation of $168,000 for 2004. County funds are used to pay for liability insurance, exhibit premiums, trophies and ribbons. Attendance at the fair this year was considerably lower than previous years because it rained eight of the nine days during the annual event. Mr. Meyer noted the budget request increased from $92,500 last year to $168,000 this year. Mr. Olson said the liability insurance has increased dramatically.