08-06-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 6, 2008 3388 SPECIAL MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION AUGUST 6, 2008 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Chairman Ken Pawluk called the meeting to order at 8:15 AM with all members present as follows: Scott Wagner, Robyn Sorum, Darrell Vanyo, Vern Bennett and Ken Pawluk. Also present were County Auditor Michael Montplaisir, County Administrator Bonnie Johnson and Accountants Mary Matheson and Alicia Ulberg. 2. BUDGET OVERVIEW, 2009 budaet summary Mr. Montplaisir gave an overview of the 2009 preliminary budget, with the mill levy at 61 mills. He said the county should end 2008 with approximately $5.5 million dollars in reserves in the general and special revenue funds. The projected valuation for 2009 is approximately 3.6% higher than last year. Debt service and capital proiect funds Mr. Montplaisir talked about debt service funds, which result from citizens initiating improvements within their subdivision. The county levies special assessments against property owners to generate funds to payoff the bond debt. MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mrs. Sorum seconded to approve the 2009 preliminary budget for Debt Service Funds in the amount of $134,682. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. The county has very little debt; the debt can be broken down into two groups; Capital Lease for the building of an addition to the County Highway Shop used mainly by Vector Control with an outstanding balance of $667,128 and various special assessment funds which are paid through assessments against the benefited property owners. Emplovee Compensation Employee compensation comprises one of the largest areas of the county budget. County department heads recommended a 4.0% cost of living increase for 2009, which was adopted by the County Commission for budgeting purposes. A 4.0% adjustment was factored in for Human Service employees who are at the state maximum. Their state pay ranges will be adjusted in July in accordance with legislative action. County employees as well as Human Service employees under the state maximum will receive a step increase in the month of their anniversary date. Step increases range from approximately 1.4% to 3.5%, depending on where an employee falls in the pay scale. The pay scale moves more rapidly at the lower end of the pay range until the midpoint, or market value for the position, and slows after the employee reaches midpoint. Total dollars budgeted for current county employees for salaries in 2009 are $18,972,000 compared to $18,090,000 for 2008.