09-29-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--September 29, 1997 1718 DEPARTMENT HEADS--PLEASE POST IN a CONSPICUOUS PLACE FOR STAFF TO READ SPECIAL MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION SEPTEMBER 29, 1997 MEETING TO ORDER Chairman Alon Wieland called the budget meeting to order at 9:10 AM in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse, with all members present as follows: Donna Schneider, Paul Koenig, John Meyer, Roberta Quick and Alon Wieland. A number of department heads and county employees were also present. Commissioners received a letter from Sheriff's employee, Jerry Lambertz, and from Assistant State's Attorneys Allen Albright, Mark Boening, Steve Dawson and Alan Dohrman. County Auditor, Michael Montplaisir, provided copies of the budget summary showing the status of the proposed budget up to this point. As it stands, the 1998 budget proposal is about 1.2% higher than the 1997 budget. The board also received a corrected copy of Mr. Montplaisir's September 19, 1997, memorandum indicating the cost of implementing the new salary scale prepared by Fox Lawson & Associates is about $125,000 higher than his previous memo due to using the wrong amount for total number of county employees. In order to increase the dollars for salaries and still reduce the mill levy to the goal of 65 mills, he suggested allocating the next $125,000 of estate taxes in order to implement the proposed salary scale. BUDGETING DECISIONS Veteran's Service Jim Brent, Veteran's Service Officer, submitted a memorandum dated September 25, 1997, stating the Veterans Information Management System (VIMS) is changing to Windows software and they will no longer be able to use the loaned computer in their file room. Mr. Brent will ask veteran's organizations for donations to help fund a new computer. Mr. Wieland said the County Commission would encourage him to seek donations and come back to the board if he does not receive all of the funds to purchase a computer. The county could do a budget revision at a later time, if necessary. Sheriff's Department Glenn Ellingsberg was present to discuss a line item in the Sheriff's Department budget for a mobile data terminal (MDT) switch. He said his goal is to have all 10 of the County's patrol cars equipped with MDT's to save on dispatching time. He prefers newer technology to better utilize the laptops they will be purchasing, as opposed to using the Fargo Police Department's mobile data system because their software is antiquated, he said. Mrs. Schneider asked if this equipment would become obsolete if the county proceeds with the proposed trunking system. Mr. Ellingsberg said this equipment is designed to operate through the trunking system. He said there is about $24,000 in federal matching funds set aside in the 1997 budget for the laptops and modems. Mr. VVieland asked about future costs if the MDT is purchased in 1998, and Mr. Ellingsberg said it would cost about 10% of the purchase price for annual maintenance, as well as line charges to the State.