11-16-1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

Comm. Minutes--November 16, 1992 955 17. PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 1993 budget options Mr. Eckert said the Cass County Planning Department is requesting that the County Commission reconsider 1993 budget cuts. He asked Linda Gaughan, Chair of the Cass County Planning Commission, to explain their position. Linda Gaughan said this matter was discussed at the November 5th meeting of the Cass County Planning Commission, and they voted unanimously to recommend that the Board's action be reconsidered. The Planning Commission is concerned that services will be cut because of continued growth in the county and because of the need for planning assistance to townships. Ms. Gaughan asked the County Commission to study the issue because she doesn't think the action was done in a planned manner. She said one alternative, contracting with the Fargo- Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (COG), doesn't seem to be a viable solution because she doesn't think COG offers ongoing, operational planning. Mr. Risher asked if COG has been contacted, and Mrs. Toussaint said the Board of Commissioners needs to prepare a contract stating the county's needs. Mr. Risher asked about combining the planning and maintenance departments into one department, but Mr. Shannon said one staff position has been eliminated from the 1993 maintenance budget. If the Commission looks for money to reconsider one budget cut, Mr. Shannon said they need to reconsider others from a long list of difficult cuts that were made. Mr. Eckert said there should be more of a development process before a firm decision is made because he doesn't think it is within COG's realm of responsibility to provide these services. Mr. Shannon asked if he has talked to COG, since he is Cass County's representative. MOTION, passed Mr. Shannon moved and Mr. Risher seconded to ask Cass County's representative to the Metropolitan Council of Governments to make a request to fulfill Cass County's planning functions as per budget decision. Discussion: Mr. Eckert asked for clarification on what to request from COG, and Mr. Shannon suggested asking the State's Attorney for written advice as to the county's statutory responsibility for planning. Mr. Goff said he will attempt to respond to that question if the Commission requests that of him. Mr. Eckert asked if the job description would follow the current one for the Cass County planner's position, and Mrs. Toussaint said she assumes those things would be negotiated in a contract. At the call for the question and on roll call vote, the motion carried with Mr. Risher, Mr. Shannon and Mrs. Toussaint voting "Aye," Mr. Eckert abstaining. MOTION, failed for lack of a second Mr. Shannon moved that the Cass County State's Attorney be asked to determine the core responsibility for formal planning in Cass County. Mr. Risher said a copy of the North Dakota Century Code could be forwarded to (COG) so they can see what services the county needs to provide. The motion failed for lack of a second.