02-02-1988 - Laserfiche WebLink

REGULAR MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FEBRUARY 2, 1988 The meetin§ was called to order by Chairman Don Eckert with all members present as follows: Oscar Sondrall, Ray Larson, Alon Wieland, Don Eckert, and Jeannette Stanton. Mrs. Stanton moved that minutes of the previous meeting of January 26, lg88 be approved as written. Motion seconded by Mr. Larson was carried. Present from the State Auditor's Office were Paul Steussy, John Gretten, and Mike Montplaisir. Mr. Steussy pointed out that the Water Resource District is not included in the report. This is because the private audit report of the Water District is not in accordance with General Accounting Principles. In the Internal Controls Report section of the audit, Mr. Steussy noted that the County is in compliance with Federal regulations re§arding accounting of federal monies. There were no si§nificant problems other than specified in pages 32 to 36, Findings and Recommendations. Mr. Larson questioned Mr. Steussy as to how, this being a certified audit, did the tax increment error §o on for seven years without comin§ to light? Mr. Steussy stated that his office does test sample transactions, but they do not test all transactions. Mr. Larson asked if the auditors had ever found the same problem in other counties, such as Burliegh or Grand Forks, but it was noted that very few clients do tax increment financing. Mr. Steussy said he did not have all the information needed to explain what occurred. Mrs. Stanton asked if the County does follow throu§h on recommendations made in previous audit reports and was told that in 99% of the recommendations it does, except for the fixed asset qualification. States Attorney Robert Hoy submitted an update on the tax increment error. He had received no additional letters. The County now has to decide whether or not to turn this over to the insurance carrier. Dr. Vern Bennett was present from the Fargo School District. The Commissioners decided to meet with all the entities involved. Mr. Wieland moved that a meeting be set for Wednesday, February 10, lg88 at 7:00 P.M. in the lower level of the Detention Center, and letters be sent to the City of Fargo, Fargo School District, Fargo Park District, and the Southeast Cass Water Resource District. Mrs. Stanton seconded, motion carried. In further discussion it was determined that the letters about the meeting be directed to the Secretaries of the entities involved. The purpose of the meeting will be to identify the problem, how it was created, what recommendations would be to resolve the problem and what options can be addressed, so that everyone has the same information. Rudy Radke of the County Extension Office presented a request to replace a secretary whose position is a pay grade 3, starting at a mid-point of $12,068. A motion for approving a replacement was made by Mrs. Stanton, seconded by Mr. Sondrall. Mr. Wieland questioned the increase of the proposed startin§ salary, which is $2,000 higher than previously, in a position funded all at County expense. Mr. Radke stated that this is due to computer skills utilized in the present employee and desired in the replacement. Mr. Radke was directed to provide both old and new job descriptions before the salary fi§ure can be set. Upon roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Radke also submitted artwork and an estiamte for a sign for the County Extension Office, in the amount of $525, which does not include li§htin§. He was informed that lightin§ would be under $200. Mr. Wieland moved to authorize the Extension Office to proceed with putting up a sign on County property at lOth Street South, subject to approval by City and State hi§hway sign regulations. Motion seconded by Mrs. Stanton and upon roll call vote, carried unanmiously.