5. Salary/COLA recommendation - Laserfiche WebLink

Department Head Minutes-June 26, 2006 1 DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING JUNE 26, 2006 1. MEETING TO ORDER The chairman of the group, Kathy Hogan, called a meeting of Cass County department heads to order at 8:00 AM on Monday, June 26, 2006, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse. The following were present: Kathy Hogan, Brad Cogdill, Jim Brent, Dave Rogness, Jim Thoreson, Frank Klein, Mike Montplaisir, Terry Schmaltz, Bonnie Johnson, Rich Sieg, John Waller, and Stan Wolf. Birch Burdick arrived later in the meeting. Charlotte Sandvik and Deanna Kensrud were absent. 2. 2007 BUDGET Mr. Montplaisir provided a power point presentation on valuation, tax dollar and mill levy histories over the past few years. He said the county mill levy has remained constant or decreased and he believes the commission will want to lower the mill levy again for next year. The 2006 valuation is estimated to increase by 10% for a total valuation of $393,553,505. He said a realistic goal for the 2007 budget would be to decrease the county mill levy by three mills in order to bring in the same monies as this year. 3. FOX LAWSON SALARY SURVEY Mrs. Johnson said Fox Lawson & Associates completed the salary survey and salaries are about 2% below the market. A Personnel Overview Committee meeting has been scheduled for July 17th to review the study. The county was 10% to 12% below market in the last review conducted three years ago, so progress has been made. Fox Lawson is recommending a 2.1 % upward scale adjustment. 4. COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR BUDGET PURPOSES Mr. Klein provided written information on the most current economic data available on the consumer price index (CPI) and national economic trends for the region. MOTION, passed Mr. Thoreson moved and Mr. Brent seconded to suggest a COLA increase for county employees of 3.5% for 2007 based upon the 3.7% Department of Labor trends of total compensation for the Midwest region. Discussion: Mrs. Johnson said the 2.1% scale adjustment is separate from the COLA. Mr. Montplaisir suggested the state and local government wage and salaries employment cost index of 2.8% be considered for the COLA. The motion carried with ten members voting "Yes", and Mr. Montplaisir and Mrs. Hogan abstaining. Mr. Burdick arrived at this time. 5. BUDGET MANUAL Mr. Montplaisir provided copies of the 2007 Budget Manual to assist department heads in preparation of next year's budget. A budget calendar is included in the handout, with August 1st as the deadline to submit budget requests and work plans.