COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES
October 3, 2007
A work session of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners was held on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Chairman Kay called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum present.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bernie LaJoie, Dick Timmer, Earl Kay, Don Cooper and Ted Postula
MEMBERS ABSENT: Scott Shackleton
OTHERS PRESENT: Derek Myerscough, Pat Shannon, Don McLean, Chris McLean, Debbie Sirk, Kathy Munson and Kelly Beaune, Recorder
Agenda Item: Chippewa County Code of Ethics & County Commissioner Benefits & Compensation
A workshop of the Board of Commissioner’s was called to order at 7:00 p.m.; with a quorum present. The session was scheduled to review with Attorney Pat Shannon the County’s proposed Code of Ethics, County Commissioners Benefit & Compensation and a Fraud policy which was recommended by the County’s Auditors. Mr. Shannon forwarded an updated and renamed “Code of Ethics” to “Code of Conduct” the Committee reviewed and suggested the “Code of Conduct” as follows:
CHIPPEWA COUNTY MICHIGAN
CODE OF CONDUCT
In order to strengthen the quality and integrity of county government, the Chippewa County Commission adopts this Code of Conduct for Chippewa County’s elected officials, employees, and appointees. By adopting this Code of Conduct, the Chippewa County Commission establishes the principle that elected officials, employees, and appointees shall serve the people of Chippewa County in an ethical and professional manner. This Code of Conduct is intended to build upon the laws of the State of Michigan and not to supersede them.
1. Chippewa County elected officials, employees, and appointees shall be dedicated to the effective and democratic local government and believe that professional general management is essential to the achievement of this objective.
2. Chippewa County elected officials, employees, and appointees shall affirm the dignity and worth of the services rendered by government and maintain a constructive, objective, creative, and practical attitude toward county affairs and a deep sense of social responsibility as a trusted public servant.
3. Chippewa County elected officials, employees, and appointees shall be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and professional relationships.
4. Chippewa County elected officials, employees, and appointees shall recognize that the chief function of local government is to serve the best interest of its citizens.
5. Chippewa County elected officials, employees, and appointees shall secure the information and perform necessary analysis to provide officials and other appropriate decision makers with objective, reliable information to which they can respond. Additionally, where appropriate, to identify alternative courses of action and the relative consequences associated with the alternative.
6. Chippewa County elected officials, employees, and appointees shall recognize the authority difference between the nature and extent of their responsibilities, and shall resist any encroachment on responsibilities.
7. Chippewa County elected officials, employees, and appointees shall keep the community informed on county affairs, encourage communication between the citizens and all county officials; emphasize friendly and courteous service to the public; seek to improve the quality and image of public service.
8. Chippewa County elected officials, employees, and appointees shall handle all matters of personnel so that fairness and impartiality govern one’s decisions pertaining to appointments, pay adjustments, promotions, and discipline.
9. Chippewa County elected officials, employees, and appointees shall not seek favor; and believe that personal aggrandizement or profit secured by confidential information or by misuses of public office is dishonest.
The Committee next discussed the County Commissioners Benefits & Compensation, which reads as follows:
Effective January 1, 2007, it shall be the policy of Chippewa County that Chippewa County Board of Commissioners are elected officials with full-time benefits. And shall not be to allowed to accumulate vacation days, sick days, or any paid leaves of absences.
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners shall receive a monthly salary and a $45.00 per meeting, maximum of two per day, eligibility based on Committee appointment or on an special agenda representing the County. Travel expenses directly related to official County business shall be reimbursable in a manner consistent with policy #410.
The Employer agrees to pay the premium for hospitalization and medical insurance coverage for a single subscriber, two person and family coverage for Chippewa County Commissioners who elect to participate in the group insurance plan; coverage shall be equal to the active employees. Employees electing sponsored dependent and/or family continuation coverage are responsible for payment of the premium costs for this additional coverage.
As with other County employees, Commissioners declining health care insurance, who opt out of the County’s health insurance shall, as an incentive, be eligible to receive compensation in lieu of health care insurance. It may be paid to the Commissioner in a separate check and upon verification the employee is covered by another health insurance program. This election shall be made on an annual basis and shall be effective for that full year. In the event that an employee loses coverage under the alternative source, they shall be returned to coverage under the County’s plan as soon as possible. Spouses of eligible employees shall not be eligible for this benefit.
Chippewa County shall make available a group insurance plan covering certain hospitalization, surgical, medical, dental, and optical services for eligible County Commissioners and eligible dependents. In order to be eligible for this benefit the County Commissioner must not have, or be eligible, for health care insurance through any other plan or policy. In order to coordinate health care benefits and avoid duplication County Commissioners are required to disclose any health care insurance coverage provided by, or available, through any other plan. Chippewa County shall not be used as a replacement for existing health care coverage. County Commissioners or their dependents are ineligible for Chippewa County group insurance, if coverage is provided or available through an existing health care plan or policy.
The Committee next discussed the proposed Fraud Policy, which after a brief discussion is covered in the proposed “Code of Conduct”, and copy of the “Code of Conduct” will be sent to Anderson Tackman for their review.
The Committee concluded the session discussing the Commissioner Payroll and mileage reimbursement.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Kelly J. Beaune, Recorder
Earl Kay, Chairman