08-15-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--August 15, 2000 2167 DEPARTMENT HEADS--PLEASE POST IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE FOR STAFF TO READ SPECIAL MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN BUDGET SESSION AUGUST 15, 2000 MEETING TO ORDER Vice Chairman Paul Koenig called the budget meeting to order at 9:15 AM on August 15, 2000, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse, with four members present as follows: Donna Schneider, Robbie Quick, Alon Wieland and Paul Koenig. Commissioner John Meyer was absent. Also present were County Auditor Michael Montplaisir, County Coordinator Bonnie Johnson, and accountants Deb Ness and Patti Richards. = BUDGET OVERVIEW, Requests reviewed with various departments Each Commissioner received a preliminary budget binder, and Mr. Montplaisir provided an overview of the 2001 county budget. He said the new budget calls for fewer mills than the 2000 budget for a variety of reasons, including a projected 7% increase in Cass County's taxable valuation, final payment was made on the Cass County annex building from this year's budget, next year is not an election year, and county funding for the Clerk of District Court Office will terminate effective April 1, 2001. Mr. Montplaisir said five county departments are requesting new hires during next year, and the budget amount includes employee benefits, plus the related furniture and equipment purchases in most instances. Commissioners discussed increased costs of employee health insurance coverage. They were in agreement to request that Blue Cross Blue Shield representatives provide a 30-minute program to county employees on managing health care costs. Mr. Montplaisir said he requested a rate quote on the plan offered through the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System, as well as quotes on the current policy with deductibles of $250 or $500. He suggested delaying a decision on the health insurance rates for 2001 until later in the budget process in order to make better projections of year-end balances. Commission Two new items in this budget are guardian ad litem and mental health public defender services, which were added because the Clerk of Court Office will be a State function beginning April 1, 2001. Mr. Wieland suggested proposing a legislative change since this is a court-related item and should be a State function also. Mrs. Johnson noted that laptop computers are included in the Information Services budget for future consideration as a way to reduce the volume of paperwork for Commissioners and staff. Coordinator/Personnel Mrs. Johnson highlighted changes in this budget, including $3,500 in fees for debit cards to enhance the flexible benefits program.