11-21-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--November 21,2005 3003 changing technology, they feel the county auditor, county treasurer, and county recorder should be appointed rather than elected. He said in the private industry, the auditor would be considered the chief financial officer of a large corporation. The current elected officials are doing a fine job and the recommendation is no reflection on their job performance. Mr. Bennett asked if the committee reviewed state law to see if mandates could be put in place for job requirements. Mr. Dardis said the committee referred to the tool chest legislation when considering their recommendation. Mr. Pawluk asked if a vote of county citizens would be held before any change is finalized. Mr. Dardis said the electoral process is still in place, because voters may ask for a recall election of county commissioners, if they are dissatisfied with commissioners' job performance and selection of appointed department heads. Mr. Montplaisir said the state tool chest law allows for combining of offices and to make certain offices appointed. Cass County's Home Rule Charter allows the use of this legislation and changes are not required to be put to a vote of the people. Mr. Bennett is concerned that the fate of these officials will be left up to the county commission. Mr. Wagner said the Home Rule Charter has a formal, public process in place to remove an appointed official, and that currently, the majority of department heads are chosen by the commission. Mr. Vanyo said the committee has asked for an extension of the deadline to submit recommendations to the commission until January 31 st. The committee feels they need additional time to conduct a thorough study of county government. Mr. Montplaisir said with 2006 being an election year and since one of the county officials is not running for re-election, he asked the commission to schedule this item in December for a final decision. He suggested a few commissioners meet to review this item beforehand. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Pawluk seconded to receive the following resolution submitted by the Local Governance Advisory Study Committee; and to extend the deadline for submitting their recommendations to the commission until January 31, 2006. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Commissioners Sorum and Wagner agreed to review the issue and present their findings to the rest of the board before any action is taken by the commission. RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Local Governance Advisory Committee was established by the Cass County Commission to study the options available to county government in conjunction with provisions of the "tool chest" legislation and the county's "home rule charter" and; WHEREAS, the Local Governance Advisory Committee has reviewed the duties and functions of the offices of County Recorder, County Treasurer, and County Auditor and;