2. Preliminary budget approval - Laserfiche WebLink

CASSCOUNlY GOVERNMENT ~ Auditor Michael Montplaisir, CPA 701-241-5601 Treasurer Charlotte Sandvik 701-241-5611 Director of Equalization Frank Klein 701-241-5616 August 18, 2008 Board of County Commissioners Cass County Government 211 9th St. S. Fargo ND 58103 Re: Preliminary Budget Dear Commissioners: After your preliminary review of the 2009 budget, the county is in a good position at this point in the budget process. The budget is prepared on the basis of the mill levy staying at the 61 mills levied last year. We still have expenditures over revenues in the General Fund of $600,000; however, we are projecting reserves in the General Fund of $2.1 million at the end of 2009 which is 10% of the budgeted expenditures. The Social Services expenditures exceed projected revenues for 2009 by $160,000 however we are projecting a 2009 year end reserve of just over $1.6 million dollars, which is about 15.5% oftheir budgeted expenditures. The Highway Fund levy is 10.25 mills, and is unchanged from the 2008 budget. We have a revenue budget of $9.5 million and an expenditure budget of $8.1 million with a projected 2009 year end reserve of $250,000. The Highway Department will use $1.3 million of their revenue in 2009 to repay the loan from the Building Fund that they needed this year to finance their projects. Salaries: The Preliminary Budget contains a 4% Cost of Living Adjustment and normal step increases for employees. Total dollars for salaries in 2009 are budgeted at $18,961,975 compared to $18,090,463 for 2008. This increase is 4.8% over the 2008 budgeted salaries for current employees. Benefits: The Heath and Dental Insurance benefits are in the budget with a projected 12% increase in costs. We have received the suggested rate increases from our self funded plan administrator and the rates we used in the Preliminary Budget are adequate; their suggested funding level increase is about 12% but I have also asked for some options on a larger limit for the stop loss coverage and larger deductibles. Total dollars for benefits in 2009 are budgeted at $5,738,390 (or about 30% of the salary budget) compared to $5,276,152 for 2008 (or about 29% ofthe salary budget). New Employees: There are three new employees in the Human Services budget for a total cost Box 2806 211 Ninth Street South of $21 7,299. Fargo, North Dakota 58103 Fax 701-241-5728 www.casscountynd.gov