08-24-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--August 24, 1999 2027 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 24, 1999 MEETING TO ORDER Chairperson Robbie Quick called the budget meeting to order at 9:00 AM on August 24, 1999, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse, with four members present as follows: Paul Koenig, John Meyer, Donna Schneider and Robbie Quick. Commissioner Alon Wieland arrived about 10:00 AM. Also present were County Auditor Michael Montplaisir, County Coordinator Bonnie Johnson and Senior Accountant Deb Ness. BUDGET REVIEW Register of Deeds Deanna Kensrud was present to answer questions on her budget. A new copy machine is the biggest increase. The present copier is about 16 years old and is difficult to repair because of the shortage of parts due to its age. The board discussed the pros and cons of having a centralized copy area for county offices, which is not a new idea for the county. Mr. Montplaisir will have a committee consider consolidation of maintenance contracts on the copy machines. Customs Service Mr. Montplaisir said the proposed budget figure of $30,800 reflects a possible 6% increase, as requested by the City of Fargo, due to an increase in the U.S. Customs Service contract. Tax Director Frank Klein said one addition to his budget is $500 for computer software to assist local assessors, especially those with the larger jurisdictions, in order to properly value residential property. A $10,000 figure for reassessment services is included in the budget as a revenue and expenditure in case a reassessment is ordered in any of the local jurisdictions. The cost of a reassessment is estimated at $100 per parcel, and the respective local jurisdiction would reimburse the county for the costs. Also, Mr. Klein informed the Board that the soil survey may be digitized in the next few years to incorporate it into a Geological Information System(GIS); and this may necessitate some changes in the way agricultural land is assessed in the future. Fargo Cass County Economic Development Corporation John Kramer, Tony Grindberg, and Joe Crary were present on behalf of the Fargo Cass County Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Kramer discussed the speculative building project; the Growth Initiative Fund, which should reach the $8 million goal by the end of the year 2003; and their annual report. He said the financial consultants are in agreement with their request to maintain the Growth Initiative Fund at the same mill levy as this year. Mr. Grindberg discussed labor studies and the latest tool, CareerLinkNorth, on the Internet. Sheriff,/Jail/Detention Representing these budgets were Sheriff Don Rudnick and staff members Glenn Ellingsberg, Jim Thoreson, and Walt Willis. The following changes were discussed, however, no formal action has been taken by the Board thus far on any of the budget requests: computer equipment - deduct $4,000 bullet proof vests - deduct $18,000 (purchase over two years, if grant is approved)