09-27-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--September 27, 1999 2047 DEPARTMENT HEADS-PLEASE POST IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE FOR STAFF TO READ SPECIAL MEETING OF CASS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SEPTEMBER 27, 1999 MEETING TO ORDER Chairperson Robbie Quick called the special meeting to order at 3:30 PM on September 27, 1999, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse, with all members present as follows: Paul Koenig, John Meyer, Donna Schneider, Alon Wieland and Robbie Quick. The purpose of the meeting was to continue the budgeting process and adopt a final budget for the year 2000. MINUTES APPROVED MOTION, passed Mr. Meyer moved and Mr. Koenig seconded to approve minutes of the September 20, 1999, meeting as corrected. The date of one of the upcoming meetings with the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (paragraph #12) was incorrectly given as October 16, 1999. That meeting is scheduled for October 26, 1999, atthe same time and place as stated. Motion carried. BUDGET REVIEW, Public comment A public hearing on the 2000 county budget was held at the last meeting, September 20, 1999. Mrs. Quick said the board would take additional public comments today because of publication requirements for the public hearing on the preliminary budget. Jeannette Stanton, Fargo, questioned the percentage of increase or decrease over last year's budget and commented on the increase in Commissioners' salaries and benefits, the time of day that Commission meetings are held, and the length of time for the agenda deadline. Mrs. Quick invited any other comments from the public, and hearing none, the Board proceeded with the budget review. Michael Montplaisir, County Auditor, said the budget includes an annual salary for Commissioners of $13,800, with the chairperson receiving an additional $100 per month. Employees will receive a 2.2% cost of living increase with a step increase on their anniversary date upon receiving a satisfactory performance appraisal, for an average annual increase per employee of approximately 4%. Employee health insurance benefits are increasing due to the cost of health care and previous reductions of reserves in the County's Health Insurance Trust Fund because of the claims history. Health insurance premiums for 2000 will be as follows: County Employee Total Premium Family $ 391 $107 $ 498 Single/Dependent $ 271 $ 45 $ 316 Single $175 $ 14 $189 Mr. Montplaisir referred to other items in the budget, according to his letter dated September 27, 1999, including $200,000 to contract for the preparation of a base map for the Geographical Information System (GIS); a request from the Highway Engineer not to transfer $120,000 from the Road Department to the General Fund for the years 1999 and 2000, as well as a request for an additional tax levy of $200,000 to pay for increased maintenance and construction of