02-05-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-February 5,2007 3172 8. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, Budget adiustment for grant funds approved Mr. Rogne~~ ~~id the 2007 budget did not include anticipated grant funds for the year. He is requesting approval of a budget adjustment in the amount of $365,544 for 2005 and 2006 homeland security funds and for the 2007 emergency management program. MOTION, passed Mr. Pawluk moved and Mr. Bennett seconded to approve a budget adjustment for grant funds in the amount of $365,544 to revenue account 101-3701-331.55-03 and to expenditure account 101-3701- 427.74-12. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 9. REGIONAL CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, Unit improvement plan discussed; approval to change part-time attorneys to full-time John Waller, Director of the Southeast Regional Child Support Enforcement Unit, was present. He said during budget preparations, the state instructed each unit to develop a plan to improve its performance by a minimum of 2% over federal fiscal year 2006. The plan he prepared for 2007 has been approved by the state. Mr. Waller said the greatest obstacles facing their office include growth in case loads and turnover in legal staff. The opportunity to redistribute duties has arisen due to creation of the interstate unit and turnover. He said with the transfer of 1,800 outgoing interstate cases, some tasks will be reassigned to case analysts. Also, the office investigator recently retired and Mr. Waller wants to eliminate the position, assign the duties among existing staff, and change two part-time attorneys to full-time status. He said the change will result in a cost savings of about $50,000. Mr. Pawluk questioned the need for increased legal staff since 1,800 cases were transferred to Grand Forks. Mr. Waller said despite the transfer of interstate cases, their unit continues to experience consistent growth and the attorney work load keeps increasing. Mr. Wagner said their department also has been given additional responsibilities mandated by the state. MOTION, passed Mr. Pawluk moved and Mrs. Sorum seconded to authorize increasing two part-time child support attorneys to full-time attorneys, and to terminate the position of investigator in the Regional Child Support Enforcement Unit. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 10. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, Management services contract approved Mr. Montplaisir said the county has contracted with North Dakota Association of Counties (NDACo) for Information Technology technical support since 2003. This year's contract is for $101,400 or a 1.5% increase from last year. The 2006 contract provided around 1,560 hours of support or a % full-time staff position whereas the 2007 contract does not specify the amount of hours but provides a full-time staff person dedicated to Cass County. Mr. Vanyo asked about the benefits the county receives through this arrangement. Terry Schmaltz, Information Technology Manager, was present. He offered several examples of how the county benefits from the agreement with NDACo, including access to state projects that may impact the county as well as an opportunity to receive the best prices when purchasing equipment.