09-30-1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

Comm. Minutes--September 30, 1993 ].116 Mr. Ness said letters and telephone calls were received in support of Extension Services, mostly relating to 4-H and the horticulturist. He provided copies of a marketing survey conducted by Precision Marketing, Inc. in which Cass County residents were contacted for their input. In an overview of the survey, the following conclusions were drawn: 1) over 80% of Cass County residents feel it is at least somewhat important for county government to use tax dollars to provide law enforcement, county roads and social services; 2) only 5% rated Cass County Government as either poor or very poor in effectively using tax dollars to serve county residents; 3) a majority of respondents said they are either not very willing or not at all willing to pay more taxes for extension services; and 4) one of every five respondents said they have used extension services in the past year. Since the Commission has agreed to develop a task force to study duplication of services and determine necessary services, Mr. Wieland said he cannot support cutting one extension agent this year, although he thought Cass County only needed one agent for the past 10 years. He said he didn't have support from other commissioners in the past. Mr. Wieland asked to vote separately on the budgets of Extension Services and the Historical Society. Mr. Ness was concerned about the proposed cut in employee salary increases if cuts are not made in all departments. Mrs. Toussaint does not favor balancing the budget on employee raises. Mr. Eckert suggested voting separately on the budgets for Extension Services, Historical Society, Weed Control and Superintendent of School. On weed control, Mr. Eckert believes the county commission has no option to change the budget from what was set by the weed board. State's Attorney John Golf said there is an Attorney General's opinion concerning the Weed Control budget, but it differs from his own opinion. If there is a consensus on the part of the weed board to accept the budget cut, he said the county commission can make a reduction. As chairman of the Cass County Weed Control Board, Mr. Eckert doesn't think it is up to the county commission to change the budget. Mr. Ness said the weed board is appointed by the county commission, and he thinks a majority of the board members will accept the commission's decision. At the call for the question and upon roll call vote, the motion failed with Mrs. Toussaint and Mr. Ness voting "Aye"; Mr. Risher, Mr. Wieland and Mr. Eckert opposing. MOTION, passed Mr. Wieland moved and Mr. Risher seconded to accept all of the cuts in the previous motion with the prerogative of making separate motions on one or two individual budgets. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously.