01-28-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

Comm. Minutes--January 28, 1991 618 Discussion: Mr. Wieland thinks the mission statement should be as simple as possible. He suggested that it be as follows: "To provide for the general well-being of the citizens of Cass County as directed by and provided for in the North Dakota Constitution, the North Dakota Century Code and the United States Constitution." Mr. Kildahl said paragraph #2 in the proposed mission statement is of importance in addressing century code duties. He said there are still some decisions commissioners have to make, and Mr. Wieland agreed with this. Mr. Kildahl said a mission statement can be adjusted any time. Mr. Shannon thinks there is general agreement with the content of the mission statement. The motion carried on roll call vote with Mrs. Toussaint, Mr. Risher, and Mr. Shannon voting "Aye", Mr. Eckert and Mr. Wieland opposing. COORDINATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, Strategic planning Mr. Kildahl said strategy is done at the county commission level aided by input from elected/appointed department heads. He previously gave each commissioner a suggested form to be used as an annual work plan outlining priorities and work objectives with space for evaluation. Commissioners should be completing interviews with department heads in their portfolio, based on the timetable set by the commission. Under the coordinated management system, Mr. Kildahl said the role of the commission chairman is to set up agendas with the county coordinator, make decisions on what should appear on the agenda, call for specific reports and activities, and call for overview on where the county is with the objectives for the coordinated management system. He said the county coordinator will be the focal point in assisting the Chairman and coordinating county activities. Mrs. Toussaint said she has received a response from all of the department heads in her portfolio. She asked the same question as Ms. Johnson, which is whether department heads should set goals as an individual or by department. Mr. Kildahl said it should be a mixture of both. He said goals should be measurable. Mrs. Toussaint asked if Commissioners should meet with department heads monthly or quarterly, and how often the Chairman might schedule a report on each department. Mr. Kildahl said this depends on priorities and purpose, and he said all department heads should be treated with prioritized, measurable objectives and evaluated at some time during the life of the goal. He said this will help the commission with the narrative decisions they must make at budget time. Mr. Kildahl told commissioners that the County Coordinator's Office can be invaluable to them. He asked for comments on the timetable or preparations made thus far, and he offered to sit in on any meetings with department heads to review their goals.