08-14-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--August 14, 2003 2641 The budget also includes a new employee to handle record checks; this is contingent on whether the State's Attorney included the purchase of teletype terminal software in his budget. Currently, jail employees handle the record checks and they do not have the time or extra staff to do this. Mr. Ellingsberg said normally when cases are prepared by the clerical staff in the State's Attorney's office, a record check is also needed and could be done at the same time by their staff. The request for four Sheriff's staff to work at the security stations rather than the present security company is due to homeland security issues. This would cost the county an additional $80,000. Mr. Wagner questioned whether a B32 is needed to staff the jail security. Mr. Ellingsberg said an A12 could do the job and help with visitation in the evenings. The budget also included line items for jail inmates to assist with lawn care and cleaning of the facility. Mrs. Johnson said this is an admirable goal; however, the county would have to purchase equipment for these duties. She would like to look at the possibility of inmates helping with other tasks around the Courthouse and Jail. Mr. Wagner asked about the status on video arraignment. Mr. Ellingsberg said the court system has not installed the audio portion of the program. The video arraignments will not reduce the jail population or work load, but will assist with court proceedings. He believes this will be up and running by the beginning of 2004. Mr. Thoreson is concerned about the B22 pay grade of the Correctional Officer I position. He said the beginning wages affect the quality of potential employees and needs to be looked at because the county loses many employees to other agencies. Valley Water Rescue Rob Bye, Pete Fendt, Bill Borgen and Dean Wiger were present from Valley Water Rescue diving team. Mr. Bye thanked the commission for their past and present support of the program. The request for 2004 is $38,450 with the cost being shared with Cass and Clay Counties, Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead and Dilworth. A video was presented on the recovery of a snowmobile/drowning accident victim to give the commission an opportunity to see the kind of work the team is able to do because of funding received. MOTION, passed Mrs. Sorum moved and Mr. Vanyo seconded to approve the $38,450 budget request for Valley Water Rescue. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS Thera was discussion about what adjustments need to be made to the overall budget to stay within 65 mills, which is the same as this year's mill levy for the county. The Social Services department was asked to find $250,000 to $300,000 in cuts to keep their levy at 21 mills.