08-21-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 21,2006 3120 program. Blue Cross Blue Shield is requesting the county sign an affiliation document in order to offer a 10% reduction in premiums to employees. MOTION, passed Mr. Pawluk moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to authorize the chairman to sign an affiliation worksheet with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota for long-term care insurance at no cost to Cass County Government. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four members voting "Yes" and Mrs. Sorum being absent. 11. BUDGET REVIEW, Preliminary budget approved at 61.00 mills/public hearina set County Auditor Michael Montplaisir provided a letter, dated today, on the 2007 preliminary budget, including a levy summary with four options for the board to consider and a copy of the notice of hearing to be published in The Forum. He said after the budget meetings held over the last two weeks, the figures presented today include a net change of $60,000 in revenues and $821,000 in expenditures, for a total of 60.4 mills in the county's general fund. He referred to the letter and the different alternatives the commission may choose when approving the preliminary budget. Mr. Pawluk said the public has an expectation that the county will reduce its mill levy rate and favors the budget to be approved at 60.4 mills. Mr. Montplaisir said $40,000 needs to be taken from the senior citizen reserve fund and added to the total dollar amount to reflect the action taken earlier today. There was discussion about budget reserves and Mr. Pawluk questioned the need for them. He prefers a reduction in budgets and therefore, in the mill levy rate. Mr. Vanyo received information from the sheriff about reducing the line item for jail travel by $1,000. MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to reduce the travel line item for the jail by $1,000 according to a recommendation from the sheriff. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four members voting "Yes" and Mrs. Sorum being absent. Mr. Wagner said the commission needs to be sensitive to the taxpayer and be good fiscal stewards. He said this goal has been accomplished over the last five years that he has served on the board, and he supports low, stable tax rates. He is concerned that by lowering the mill levy now, the rate will have to be increased in the future to catch up with inflation and lower taxable valuations. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Vanyo seconded to approve the 2007 preliminary county budget in the amount of $52,974,258 and set the preliminary mill levy at 61.00 mills for county funds and 20.85 for agency funds; to allocate $500,000 from the General Fund to the Building Fund for a future courthouse addition; and to set 3:30 PM on September 18, 2006, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse, as the time and date for the public hearing on the 2007 preliminary budget. On roll call vote, the motion carried with Mr. Wagner, Mr. Vanyo and Mr. Bennett voting "Yes"; Mr. Pawluk voting "No"; and Mrs. Sorum being absent.