01-04-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--January 4, 1999 1921 Mrs. Schneider asked Mr. Klein if tax abatement issues are related to water management issues, and Mr. Klein responded that the county has approved abatements for flooding of a taxable structure and improvements. However, Mr. Iwen's abatement application states "loss of crop due to drainage and flooding" but the crop is not taxed. The local assessor, according to Mr. Klein, has already valued this land lower than others in the county but the assessment is similar to the surrounding land. He said Mr. Iwen has not provided any information showing that the assessment is incorrect. MOTION, passed Mrs. Schneider moved and Mr. Wieland seconded that abatement #4110 be denied until such time as Mr. Iwen can show that the drainage problems are incurable; further, that Mr. Iwen be encouraged to continue to work with the respective water boards in regard to his drainage issues. Mrs. Quick asked if there were any other questions for Mr. Iwen, Mr. Klein or Mr. Berndt and hearing none, closed the discussion. At the call for the question and upon roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 16. STATE'S ATTORNEY, Salary approved for newly elected State's Attorney Mr. Koenig asked to have this item moved to the regular agenda so the minutes will reflect how the decision was reached on the starting salary for the newly elected Cass County State's Attorney, Birch Burdick. Commissioners received a memorandum from Mrs. Quick indicating the average state's attorney salaries in the three largest counties, excluding Cass County, is $61,596 per year. Historically, Cass County has been the highest paid based upon size of staff, volume of cases and complexity of work. In a revised memorandum to Commissioners dated January 4, 1999, Mrs. Quick recommended setting the annual starting salary at $63,308. Mrs. Schneider said her consideration of the proposed salary was based upon the 1999 salaries paid to state's attorneys in North Dakota's larger counties, as well as the number of staff in those departments. The1999 salary for the Burleigh County State's Attorney is $52,000 and there are nine full-time employees; Grand Forks County is at $68,808 with 13 full-time employees; and Cass County's 1999 budget included $67,032 for the state's attorney, with 18 full-time employees. Mr. Meyer supports the proposed salary of $63,308 since Cass County has the largest population in the State of North Dakota, which necessitates the larger staff, and the work load is larger. Mr. Wieland was also in agreement with the proposed salary, stating that it has been Cass County's pay philosophy to be competitive but not lead nor lag the area's labor market. MOTION, passed Mr. Wieland moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded to pay the incoming State's Attorney, Birch Burdick, $63,308 per year effective January 1, 1999. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 17. VOUCHERS, Approved MOTION, passed Mr. Koenig moved and Mr. Meyer seconded to approve Vouchers No. 123,285 through No. 123,615. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously.