08-10-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 10, 2006 3091 SPECIAL MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION AUGUST 10,2006 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Chairman Vern Bennett called the meeting to order at 8: 15 AM with all members present as follows: Scott Wagner, Robyn Sorum, Ken Pawluk, Darrell Vanyo and Vern Bennett. Also present were County Auditor Michael Montplaisir, and Accountants Mary Matheson and Sheree Calkins. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Darrell Vanyo led the Pledge of Allegiance at this time. 3. BUDGET OVERVIEW, 2007 budget summary Mr. Montplaisir gave an overview of the 2007 preliminary budget, with the mill levy at 62.00 mills, the same as last year. He said in order to balance the budget for next year, he decreased both the highway and human service funds by a Y:z mill and increased the general fund by one mill. The projected valuation for 2007 is $395.7 million, or approximately 10% higher than last year. Mr. Montplaisir reviewed employee compensation figures for 2007. The commiSSion approved a 2.1 % increase to the salary scale and a 3.5% cost of living adjustment for budgeting purposes. He said employee salaries will increase by about 7.6% compared to last year, not including new staff requests. Mr. Montplaisir said the county sponsors a health and dental insurance plan under a self- funding arrangement and when preparing the budget, an estimated 10% increase in premiums was included. He said figures provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield yesterday show a 13% increase in health insurance rates and a 4.4% increase in the dental plan. He discussed different options to lower the rate increase, including a possible change in the deductible from $100 to $250. Debt service and capital proiects funds Mr. Montplaisir talked about debt service funds, which are a result from citizens initiating improvements within their subdivision. The county levies special assessments against property owners to generate funds to payoff the bond debt. MOTION, passed Mr. Pawluk moved and Mrs. Sorum seconded to approve the 2007 preliminary budget for Debt Service Funds in the amount of $99,469. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Concerning the capital project funds, Mr. Montplaisir said there are two groups and the first is connected to some of the debt service funds mentioned previously. Other capital projects include the jail and future building funds. He said it appears no motion is necessary for the capital project budgets unless the board anticipates needing more than the current $750,000 allocation for the west addition to the courthouse. He said the preferred payment method for a new building is to have most, if not all, the funds on hand to cover the expenses. Mr. Wagner estimates the new addition to cost around $12 or $13 million.