08-15-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 15, 2006 3109 RECESSED MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION AUGUST 15, 2006 1. MEETING TO ORDER Chairman Vern Bennett reconvened the budget meeting at 10:00 AM on August 15, 2006, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse, with members present as follows: Robyn Sorum, Darrell Vanyo, Scott Wagner and Vern Bennett. Ken Pawluk arrived at 10:05. Also present were County Auditor Michael Montplaisir, County Coordinator, Bonnie Johnson and Accountants Mary Matheson and Sheree Calkins. 2. STATE'S ATTORNEY Birch Burdick, State's Attorney, was present. He explained the drug grant was reduced to $17,320 and the victim/witness grant increased by $2,000. The 2007 budget proposal includes a request for two additional attorneys; one senior attorney at a 062 pay grade and one attorney I at a C44 pay grade. He stated that since 1999 the case load has increased 50% with attorney staff increasing 25%. The quality of work is impacted by case load per attorney. He said with the addition of positions, more office space would be needed. He researched several options for additional space. His findings are as follows: 1) office outside the Coordinator's office; 2) two offices outside Courtroom 6; 3) space on 2nd floor currently being used for storage; or 4) reconfiguring cubicle office area in State's Attorney's office. A $30,000 line item has been put in the 2007 budget for this purpose. Mr. Wagner asked if any secretaries have private offices. Mr. Burdick replied there is one, as she oversees the staff and handles personnel issues within the office. He is hesitant to move her as, space which is less private, may discourage employees from addressing issues with her. Mr. Wagner asked what type of staff increase the office has seen in the last several years. Mr. Burdick replied an attorney and legal secretary were added in both 2004 and 2005, and one non legal secretary was added in 2006. Between 1999 and 2003 there were no additions, which calculate to a 25% staff increase between 1999 and 2006. Mr. Vanyo asked which position would be preferred if only one were added; Mr. Burdick replied the senior attorney position as less mentoring would be required. Mr. Pawluk stated the State's Attorney's office has a large workload and it's difficult to balance this with the financial side. Mr. Burdick said he respects the decision of the commission in looking out for the taxpayers. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Vanyo seconded to remove the attorney I, C44 position for $43,056; to leave the senior attorney and $30,000 for additional office space and to approve the 2007 preliminary budget for the State's Attorney's Office in the amount of $1,970,759. Discussion: Mr. Wagner asked if $30,000 would still be needed if only one position is added. Mr. Burdick replied additional space will still be needed. Mrs. Johnson asked what affect the internal reshuffling would have on her budget, as the space on the second floor is currently used for storage by maintenance and the assessor. They began using this space when the storage area behind the courthouse was eliminated. She also stated that