08-11-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--August 11, 1999 2020 DEPARTMENT HEADS--PLEASE POST IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE FOR STAFF TO READ RECESSED MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION AUGUST '11, 1999 MEETING TO ORDER Chairperson Robbie Quick called the budget meeting to order at 9:00 AM on August 11, 1999, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse, with four members present as follows: Paul Koenig, Alon Wieland, Donna Schneider, and Robbie Quick. John Meyer was absent. Also present were County Auditor Michael Montplaisir, County Coordinator Bonnie Johnson and Senior Accountant Deb Ness. BUDGET REVIEW Fargo Senior Commission Brian Arett, Executive Director of the Fargo Senior Commission, was present regarding their mill levy request for $260,000, which is a $15,000 increase over last year. He said State law prescribes how the dollars can be spent, and he discussed some of the programs with the Board. Kathy Hogan, Cass County Social Services Director, was also present regarding senior programs through her agency, and Title III dollars from the Federal government were discussed. Mr. Wieland said the Board talked about training senior citizen volunteers for guardianship purposes, and Mr. Arett said a couple of his staff members were trained through a program provided by Catholic Family Services and Mrs. Hogan. A new program is planned for this fall, according to Mrs. Hogan; and she said volunteers will be sought at the senior centers. Mr. Arett also participated in the budget discussion with representatives of the Cass County Council on Aging. Cass County Council on Aging Marian Iverson, President of the Cass County Council on Aging, and Vivian Kent, President of the Page Senior Citizens Club, were present. Mrs. Iverson was recently appointed president of that agency and apologized for not having a budget prepared. Individual clubs submitted requests, however, the county contracts with the Cass County Council on Aging and the Fargo Senior Commission, not with individual clubs. Mr. Montplaisir said criteria should be established on how to divide the money among local clubs. A committee was appointed consisting of Marian Iverson, Brian Arett, Robbie Quick, Deb Ness and Mr. Montplaisir to review the situation and prepare the budget. The committee will meet at 1:30 PM next Wednesday, August 18, 1999. Veterans Service Office Cass County Veterans Service Officer, James Brent, said his department is operating smoothly. Mr. Montplaisir said this budget is about the same as last year. Cass County Historical Society Kathy Anderson, Executive Director of Bonanzaville, was present along with board members and Historical Society members dressed in period costumes. Ms. Anderson commented on the incredible volunteer support at Bonanzaville, and she said the group is undertaking a major effort to increase revenue since their average annual income is $198,000 while their budget this year is $280,000. She said the county mill levy is a critical portion of their budget, and the Historical Society is requesting $50,000 in 2000. They received $28,500 in 1999, which represents a 5% reduction over the 1998 amount of $30,000. County Commissioners said they will try to restore the 5% decrease that the Historical Society absorbed when Commissioners requested voluntary budget reductions last year in order to stay within the overall mill levy limitation.