03-02-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-March 2, 2009 3479 authorization to proceed with two planned stimulus projects-an overlay on County Road 4 with an estimated cost of $1.4 million and a bridge replacement on County Road 7 with an estimated cost of $650,000. Mr. Berndt said the initial information from NDDOT indicated Cass County would receive between $888,000 and $987,000 in stimulus funding. Since then, he has been told the county will receive $987,000. The bridge project will be covered with 100% federal funds. The county share for the overlay project is $400,000. He said the governor's budget includes an additional $120 million for the highway distribution fund, and the county may receive additional revenues to offset the $400,000. Mr. Wagner commended Mr. Berndt for his responsible and measured request to use stimulus dollars. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Bennett seconded to authorize the county engineer to respond to the North Dakota Department of Transportation email of February 19, 2009, as follows: 1) Cass County plans to complete the Cass 4 overlay and Cass 7 structure projects using stimulus funding; 2) The county anticipates the stimulus funding will be sufficient to fully fund the Cass 7 structure project and at least $888,000 of the Cass 4 overlay project. Cass County will provide local funds to cover the balance of the Cass 4 overlay; 3) final design documents are complete for both projects and the county requests the projects be scheduled for the earliest possible bid opening. Discussion: Mr. Pawluk asked about the county share for the overlay project. Mr. Berndt said the county may either rely on receipt of $400,000 from the state highway distribution fund or may delay two locally funded road construction projects. Mr. Berndt said he will know more about the additional revenue in the next few weeks. Mr. Wagner said a critical need exists to infuse dollars into the highway distribution fund as this will provide tax dollars to local governments for infrastructure costs. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 8. VOUCHERS, Approved MOTION, passed Mr. Pawluk moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to approve Voucher No. 233,869 through Voucher No. 234,192. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 9. EAST CENTRAL COMMISSIONERS MEETING; PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS; FLOOD MEETINGS; PERSONNEL BENEFIT REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE; JOINT PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING; NACo CONFERENCE; VETERAN'S SERVICE OFFICER RESIGNATION, Committee reports Mr. Pawluk plans to attend the East Central Commissioners Association meeting on Thursday, March 5th in Valley City. County Auditor Michael Montplaisir provided the board with a summary of property tax collections from the last five years. He said 87% of property taxes have been collected, similar to the last two years. He said the only difference this year is more people paid the first installment versus the entire bill.