09-08-1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

Comm. Minutes--September 8, 1992 913 card reader and locking control device on the Courthouse east entrance door. All entrance doors to office buildings east and west of 10th Street will be locked at 5:00 PM and not opened until 7:45 AM. County Auditor Michael Montplaisir said the Commission will be looking at more detailed expenditures in the 1993 budget relating to security, and Mr. Shannon referred to establishment of a building capital project fund. Mr. Risher asked if it is necessary to have a uniformed police officer at the metal detector to be used for screening all persons who enter County and District Courts. Mr. Shannon said his document provides that the person at the metal detector would be trained on court security. Chief Deputy Jim Thoreson said his department thinks the person at the metal detector should be someone from their agency so that they would be familiar with the operation and policies of the Cass County Sheriff's Department. Judge Backes and Judge McGuire both see a need to have a registered peace officer at the metal detector and that person must have a weapon and be trained in confrontation, in their opinion. Judge Backes said this is a workable plan that creates a foundation for developing further security over the years. He said the plan being considered today is adequate and has agreement of the other judges, who were appreciative of the efforts and the opportunity to participate in committee meetings. MOTION, passed Mr. Shannon moved and Mr. Risher seconded to adopt the final revision of the document entitled "Recommended Measures for Improving Courthouse Security Through Immediate Actions, Followed by Near-Term, & Long-Term Applications," dated September 4, 1992, and presented to the Commission on September 8, 1992. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 21. BUDGET FOR 1993, Preliminary figures presented Auditor Michael Montplaisir submitted the 1993 preliminary budget, which calls for an increase of approximately 13 mills. In a letter to the Commission dated September 8, 1992, he stressed that this is a preliminary budget and that the Commission needs to review requests and make decisions on decreasing or eliminating the proposed tax increase. Major causes for the proposed increase are maintaining reserves at 10%, requests for additional staff, employee salaries, and data processing advancements, he said. Putting the proposed tax increase in perspective with all other North Dakota counties, Mr. Montplaisir said Cass County was 49th out of 53 in terms of mills levied for 1991. Cass County's levy was 58.25 mills in 1991, compared to the highest levy which was 132.03 mills. MOTION, passed Mr. Shannon moved and Mr. Risher seconded to adopt the 1993 preliminary budget and that the Chairman send a letter to all department heads asking for further review of their budget requests with the thought of reducing it wherever possible. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously.