08-11-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 11 , 2008 3403 Charlotte Sandvik, County Treasurer, was present. The 2009 budget request includes a decrease in interest income by $175,000 because of lower interest rates; an increase in office supplies by $2,154 due to associated costs with the state property tax relief program; and $19,275 for a filing system to be installed in their vault. The filing system will allow marriage licenses, currently stored on 2nd floor in the Clerk of Court's Office, to be moved to the Treasurer's Office. She said the overall increase in their budget, with the exception of the filing system, is for salaries and benefits. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mrs. Sorum seconded to approve the 2009 preliminary budget for the County Treasurer as submitted. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Montplaisir said Frank Klein, Tax Director, is out of town attending the state board of equalization meeting. The biggest change to this budget relates to how farm land will be valued and $50,000 is included for re-assessment of farm land as well as increased travel and expenses for the same project. Mr. Wagner said this is a result of an unfunded state mandate. The budget also includes $1,200 to replace assessor suitcases with canvas bags, which will free up space in the 2nd floor storage room, where the suitcases are currently located. Mr. Pawluk said this budget increased by approximately 38%, which appears entirely related to the mandate set by the state legislature. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Vanyo seconded to approve the 2009 preliminary budget for the Tax Director as submitted. Discussion: Mr. Wagner said the increase is due to a state mandate and not something the department requested. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 5. GREATER FARGO MOORHEAD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Brian Walters, President of the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation (GFMEDC), was present. The budget request is for one mill or approximately $435,000. He said the request of one mill is consistent with requests from the last four or five years. Mr. Vanyo is comfortable with the one mill for GFMEDC; however, he said the dollar amounts for Moorhead and Clay County have not increased. Mr. Walters said initially Moorhead and Clay County negotiated a three-year contract for a specific amount. Mr. Walters believes per capita number, Cass County is fairly taxed. Mr. Wagner also stressed the need to be equitable in funding GFMEDC on both sides of the river. Mr. Pawluk asked about the effect to their organization if the county were to provide $400,000 next year. Mr. Walters said this would affect their reserves and their organization relies heavily on the reserves. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Vanyo seconded to approve the 2009 preliminary budget for the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation for one mill or approximately $435,000 for administrative support activities. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.