FINANCE, CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
					    MEETING MINUTES

					   SEPTEMBER 27, 2001


A special meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners' Finance, Claims and Accounts
Committee was held on Thursday, September 27, 2001 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste.
Marie, Michigan.  The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Dale at 5:01 p.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Rita Dale, Chairperson, Don Cooper, Aaron Hopper, Bernard LaJoie

MEMBERS ABSENT:	Ted Postula

OTHERS PRESENT:	Hon. Michael MacDonald, District Court, Hon. Nicholas Lambros, Circuit
		Court, William Karr, County Surveyor, Sharon Kennedy, Register of Deeds,
		Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, Dave Carpenter, Finance Director

Court Administrator Discussion
District Court Judge Michael MacDonald reviewed the history of pay grades associated with the court
administrator positions.  He noted that much disparity existed in the past, and that approved increases were
not always reflected in employees' paychecks.  As a result of the most recent pay study, the consultant
assured the Courts that any disparity among the court administrator pay levels would be corrected upon the
retirement of one of administrators.  Judge MacDonald observed that the adjustment did not occur as
predicted by the consultant.

Commissioner Cooper stated there did appear to be differences in the job duties of the court administrators,
but he understood the logic in establishing a uniform pay grade for all.

Circuit Court Judge Nicholas Lambros said the salaries paid by the County were not poor, but Court
employees noted a disparity in pay for what they perceived to be similar work.

Commissioner LaJoie suggested transferring this matter to the Personnel Committee for further review.
Committee members concurred with this suggestion.

Remonumentation Program
County Surveyor William Karr presented that Committee with a proposal to accelerate the remonumentation
project.  He noted that, at the current rate, it may take twenty years or more to complete the remonumentation
project.  Instead, he proposed a bonding program, as permitted by state statute, to speed the process to
completion in seven to nine years.  Karr reviewed the details of the accelerated program, work tasks, time
tables and costs.  He emphasized that the state is obligated by law to fund this program, so the County would
only need to pay the minimal costs associated with preparation of the bond.

The Committee agreed that the accelerated program appeared to be worthwhile.  Surveyor Karr and
Controller Dolehanty were asked to prepare final details for consideration by the Committee at a future
meeting.

Draft 2002 Budget
Controller Dolehanty presented the Committee with a proposed budget for fiscal year 2002.  He made note
of several differences between requested and proposed budgets.  In its current form, the budget includes
increases for health insurance and the Child Care Fund as well as reductions in anticipated interest revenue
and expenditures for the Health Department.  The proposed budget also includes reassignment of the animal
control budget from the Health Department to the General Fund.  However, it was noted that this program
is still the subject of discussion by the special ad-hoc committee.

In addition to the budget, the Controller presented a draft fund balance policy for consideration by the
Committee.  The policy proposed setting aside a percentage of the fund balance exclusively for maintaining
a stable tax and revenue structure and to provide for the orderly delivery of services to county residents; to
maintain and improve the County's credit standing; and to provide financial resources that can be used to
meet contingency and working capital requirements.

The Committee reviewed the schedule for approving the 2002 budget.  A budget hearing will be convened
on October 8, then recessed.  Department Heads will be invited to meet with the Board on October 23, 24
and 25.  The budget hearing will be reconvened on November 13, with final approval of the budget at the
conclusion of the hearing.


Adjourn
Hearing no other comments, Chairperson Dale declared the meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.






__________________________________	__________________________________
Timothy J. Dolehanty, AICP, Recorder	Rita Dale, Committee Chairperson