1. Salary/COLA recommendation - Laserfiche WebLink

1. 2. (j) Department Head Minutes-May 28,2008 1 DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING MAY 28, 2008 MEETING TO ORDER A meeting of Cass County department heads was called to order Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at 8:35 AM in the Sheriffs Department conference room, Cass County Courthouse. The following were present: Stan Wolf, Frank Klein, Jim Brent, Terry Schmaltz, Kathy Hogan, Bonnie Johnson, Birch Burdick, Keith Berndt, Mike Montplaisir, and Paul Laney. Charlotte Sandvik, Brad Cogdill, Jewel Spies, and Dave Rogness were absent. MINUTES APPROVED MOTION, passed Mrs. Johnson moved and Mr. Laney seconded to approve the meeting minutes from April 30, 2008, as presented. Motion carried. COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) FOR BUDGET PURPOSES Department heads reviewed the consumer price index figures (CPI) for April 2007 through April 2008. The 2008 cost of living adjustment (COLA) was based on the CPI for urban consumers in the Midwest and if departments use the same for this year, the adjustment would be 4.0%. Mr. Berndt estimated gas prices alone have increased by 2% and food expenses have increased compared to last year. A lengthy discussion was held about the upcoming budget year. The taxable valuation will increase by only 3.74% compared to 8% or 9% in previous years. Mr. Montplaisir said the valuation increase accounts for half of the revenues with the remainder dependent on state and federal funding. MOTION, passed Mr. Brent moved and Mr. Berndt seconded to suggest a COLA increase for county employees of 4.0% for 2009 based upon the Department of Labor consumer price index (CPI) for the Midwest region. Motion carried. 4. EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Sheriff Laney distributed updated emergency response procedures for final review by the department heads. Several items were discussed including the phone number to call during a high risk situation; instructions on use of existing panic buttons located within departments; and Code Red system for phones. The procedures may be used at any county government building, including the Highway Department, and will be considered a classified addendum to the current county emergency operations plan. The sheriff wants to have a plan in place as soon as possible. He will continue to develop a notification system to be used in emergency events. Mr. Schmaltz suggested a mass email maybesenttoemployeestonotifytheminemergencies.Mr. Laney said this option as well as other methods will be discussed before a decision is made on a notification system. Mr. Laney will send the revised procedures to department heads and will ask for commission approval of the classified addendum.