08-07-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 7,2008 3397 RECESSED MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION AUGUST 7, 2008 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Chairman Ken Pawluk reconvened the budget meeting 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. Mrs. Matheson said after the changes made yesterday, the commission reduced general fund expenditures by $100,581. 2. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT; JAIL AND JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER Sheriff Paul D. Laney was present as well as Chief Deputy Jim Thoreson. Sheriff Laney said his objective is to meet the mission and goals of the department and meet the budget parameters set by the commission. The 2009 budget does not include any requests for additional staff. The 2009 request is $11,179,950 compared to $10,609,068 last year. The sheriff said the increase is for employee salaries and benefits. Sheriff Laney outlined the major budget items for the support division, which include requests for the training center range; training costs for two school resource deputies (SRD); update of dictation equipment; and a color copier to replace a printer. He said a few months ago, the D.A.R.E. officer resigned and he decided to divide the county into two sections and assign a SRD to each section. The D.A.R.E. program ends at 5th grade and he is researching a program that continues from 5th grade to 12th grade. The SRD program has been very effective in the rural schools and he has received positive feedback from school officials. Four school districts cost share in the salary for these positions. Sheriff Laney outlined the major budget items for the operations division, which include requests for the CAD/RMS project; air modem cards; Tazers for patrol staff; and vehicles. Due to rising fuel costs, he budgeted $200,000 compared to $150,000 in 2008. Mr. Thoreson addressed the vehicles budgeted for 2009. The department uses a three-year rotation cycle because after this time period the vehicles log 80,000 or 90,000 miles and he is concerned repair and maintenance expenses will increase if the rotation schedule is not followed. The sheriff said the budget includes a request for five patrol vehicles; two unmarked vehicles (one Dodge truck and one Dodge Intrepid); and one jail transport van. The sheriff provided a vehicle priority list with the five marked patrol vehicles being the top priority and the jail transport van being the second priority. Mr. Pawluk suggested the sheriff may want to consider purchasing extended warranties for the vehicles up to 100,000 miles because he feels cars should operate up to 100,000 miles. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mrs. Sorum seconded to remove the unmarked Dodge Intrepid. Discussion: Mr. Vanyo asked if the Sheriff has looked at the cost to convert marked vehicles into unmarked vehicles by putting wheel covers on the tires, removing side lights and painting them another color. He said this may be an option, depending on the cost. On roll call vote, the motion carried