08-13-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 13, 2007 3247 RECESSED MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION AUGUST 13, 2007 1. MEETING TO ORDER Chairman Scott Wagner reconvened the budget meeting at 8:30 AM on August 13, 2007, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse, with members present as follows: Robyn Sorum, Ken Pawluk, Darrell Vanyo and Scott Wagner. Vern Bennett arrived later. Also present were County Auditor Michael Montplaisir, County Administrator Bonnie Johnson and Accountants Mary Matheson and Alicia Hoellein. 2. ROAD DEPARTMENT Keith Berndt, County Engineer, was present. He distributed a graph outlining the highway distribution fund also known as the gas tax revenue for 1998 through 2008. The fund typically has seen an increase of 2 1/2 % per year; however, in 2006, 2007 and into 2008 the projection is for the fund to remain in a flat trend. This trend will likely continue unless the legislature increases the gas tax. Mr. Berndt stated that his proposed budget is $11,877,689 for 2008. This is a decrease from 2007 in part due to the retirement of an employee, a position that will not be filled as well as a decrease in proposed overlay miles for 2008. Plans are to do eight miles of overlay, six of them on Cass County 17. He is proceeding with plans for the Cass 17 design; however, the right-of-way costs are going to be high. He has increased the chip sealing line item in the 2008 budget. The proposed budget includes $300,000 for re- shaping of Cass 16 with the assumption county highway crews would complete the work. The overall cost is more than $300,000 but some costs come from other budget line items if the county completes the work with its own labor. The re-shaping should be done if the commission wishes to proceed with asphalt surfacing in a future year. Mr. Berndt said re-shaping that is done to a county highway in preparation for asphalt surfacing requires widening. If the road is to remain graveled, it would be re-shaped to a narrower width to allow for gravel road maintenance. If the board decides to proceed with the Cass 16 project, Mr. Berndt recommends using two years of federal aid with the balance using local funds. Pavements are tested on a five-year cycle and results are used to prioritize the overlay projects. Mr. Berndt said the bridges in Cass County are safe. Like most bridges across the country, they are part of an aging infrastructure and needs outpace available revenues. The proposed budget includes funds for replacement of the Cass 26 bridge over the Red River at Perley. The project is scheduled to be awarded this fall with construction in 2007 and 2008. The proposed budget includes the local match for replacement of the Cass 7 bridge over the Maple River, but the federal funding year is uncertain so it may be delayed until 2009 if the state cannot fund the federal portion in 2008. Mr. Vanyo questioned the $15,000 budget item listed as remodeling. Mr. Berndt replied plans are to replace lighting in the maintenance shop as the existing lights were installed when the building was constructed and some supplemental florescent lighting was installed by county staff. The current lighting is not sufficient for a maintenance shop but the replacement need is not urgent. Mr. Vanyo asked if the remodeling budget was reduced, could the project be done on a smaller scale. Mr. Berndt consented to work with a smaller remodeling budget.