Laserfiche WebLink
Commission Minutes—July 28, 2023 5760 <br />SPECIAL MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION <br />JULY 28, 2023 <br />1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER <br />Chairman Chad M. Peterson reconvened the special budget meeting at 8:06 AM on Friday, July 28, <br />2023 via Microsoft Teams, with all members present as follows: Tony Grindberg, Duane Breitling, <br />Jim Kapitan, Mary Scherling, and Chad M. Peterson. Also present were County Finance Director, <br />Brandy Madrigga; County Administrator, Robert Wilson; Human Resource Director/Assistant County <br />Administrator, Tracy Peters; Accounting Manager, Sarah Heinle; and Accountant, Gerald Jenson. <br />Ms. Madrigga said the Finance Office made the changes the Board approved at yesterday's meeting <br />and provided a copy of the updated budgets to each Commissioner. <br />2. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT <br />Jim Prochniak, County Emergency Manager was present to review the 2024 Emergency <br />Management budget. Mr. Prochniak said changes to the Emergency Management Performance <br />Grant (EMPG) have reduced the distribution the County will be reimbursed by the State. He said the <br />distribution will be 47.21% or $52,211. He said additionally, the State has eliminated funding of the <br />Assistant Emergency Manager reimbursement. He said the 2024 budget request has increased due <br />to these decreases in State funding. Mr. Prochniak said the County will no longer serve as a pass <br />through for EMPG grant dollars to the City of Fargo, which is a reduction in the budget. <br />MOTION, passed <br />Mr. Grindberg moved and Mr. Breitling seconded to approve the 2024 <br />preliminary budget for Emergency Management as presented. On roll call vote, <br />the motion carried unanimously. <br />Hazardous Preparedness and Response Fund <br />Mr. Prochniak said the 2024 budget request is consistent with prior years. He said 50% of the filing <br />fee for hazardous materials goes to the State and the fund normally has around $30,000. <br />MOTION, passed <br />Mr. Grindberg moved and Mrs. Scherling seconded to approve the 2024 <br />preliminary budget for the Hazardous Preparedness and Response Fund as <br />presented. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. <br />3. TAX DIRECTOR <br />Paul Fracassi, County Director of Equalization was present to review the 2024 Tax Director budget. <br />Mr. Fracassi said the 2024 budget request includes no major changes. He said there is an increase <br />in professional fees for contracts with Vanguard for work on larger commercial properties. <br />Mr. Peterson asked if changes in the way the County charges the City of Horace for assessment as <br />previously discussed have been made. Mr. Fracassi said the contracts the Equalization Office has <br />with cities and townships have a provision for charging permit fees and the Equalization Office will <br />utilize those fees when needed. He said the fees are included in the Equalization revenues and are <br />low estimates, he said they will likely be higher than what is budgeted. <br />Mrs. Scherling said she appreciates the investment the County and Tax Equalization Office have put <br />into having online access for citizens to view property and assessment information online. <br />MOTION, passed <br />Mrs. Scherling moved and Mr. Breitling seconded to approve 2024 preliminary <br />budget for the Tax Director as presented. On roll call vote, the motion carried <br />unanimously. <br />4. SHERIFF'S OFFICE <br />County Sheriff Jesse Jahner, Chief Deputy Haaland, Captain Andy Frobig, and Lieutenant Katie <br />Fuller were present to review the 2024 Sheriff's Department budget request. Mr. Jahner said the