08-30-1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

Comm. Minutes, Special Meeting--August 30, 1993 1086 DEPARTMENT HEADS--PLEASE POST IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE FOR STAFF TO READ. SPECIAL MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AUGUST 30, 1993 MEETING TO ORDER Chairman Sharon "Pepper" Toussaint called the meeting to order at 3:45 PM and all members were present as follows: Don Eckert, Steve Risher, Alon Wieland, Bernie M. Ness and Sharon Toussaint. BUDGET FOR 1994, Preliminary review County Auditor Michael Montplaisir distributed copies of the 1994 preliminary county budget. In a cover letter to commissioners dated today, he outlined County Finance Committee recommendations on the preliminary budget, but said the final responsibility for the budget lies with the county commission. Finance Committee recommendations are attached to the budget pages of the affected departments. Commissioners began a review of the preliminary budget by departments. More detailed discussions were held concerning departments which may have the most significant changes from the current budget year. Two of those departments were the Superintendent of Schools and Extension Services. Superintendent of Schools Bruce Hoefs and County Agent Brad Cogdill were present. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, Discussion on contracting for services Chairman Toussaint received a letter today from State's Attorney John Golf with information on restructuring the county superintendent of schools office. Commissioners discussed assigning mandatory duties to another county employee, if someone meets the qualifications. Other suggestions were contracting for services on an as-needed basis and conferring with another county to discuss sharing services. Mr. Wieland suggested including $18,000 in the preliminary budget, and no one disagreed. Mrs. Toussaint asked County Coordinator Bonnie Johnson to look at options as far as consulting and the number of hours involved to do the statutory requirements. Mr. Eckert said he has some information on contracting with another county, and he will share this with the County Coordinator. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, Drug investigation and crime prevention Sheriff Don Rudnick wrote a letter and spoke about funds for drug investigation and crime prevention. He said asset forfeitures are used to supplement drug-related items and one-time purchases, and it must be tied to drug-related items. However, Mr. Montplaisir said Glenn Ellingsberg wrote in a June 10, 1993, letter that asset forfeitures received by the Sheriff's Department can be used for any law enforcement need at the discretion of the agency administrator. Mrs. Toussaint said she received a copy of Mr. Ellingsberg's letter and didn't appreciate the tone of it. Mrs. Toussaint asked about use of the rescue boat for drug cases, and Sheriff Rudnick said the boat was used this year because of the July flooding but has not been used this year for drug investigation.