FINANCE, CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
January 10, 2002
A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners' Finance, Claims and Accounts
Committee was held on Thursday, January 10, 2002 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste.
Marie, Michigan. Chairperson Dale called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with a quorum present.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Rita Dale, Chairperson, Aaron Hopper, Don Cooper, Bernard LaJoie,
Earl Kay (voting), Gary McDowell (5:10)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ted Postula
OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, Dave Carpenter, Finance Director,
Brian Peppler, Prosecuting Attorney, Sharon Kennedy, Register of Deeds, Jim Lucas, MSU Extension Director, Lisa Wilcox, Mary Marsh,
Roxanne Williams
Additions / Deletions to the Agenda
Chairperson Dale called for additions or deletions to the agenda. Hearing none, the agenda was declared
approved.
Agenda Items: Temporary Deputy Register of Deeds
Register of Deeds Sharon Kennedy appeared before the Committee with a request to hire a temporary
replacement for a deputy Register of Deeds who would be off on sick leave for four to six weeks. If the
temporary position met with the approval of the Committee, she recommended appointing former deputy
Register of Deeds Barbara Gallagher to the position.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, supported by Commissioner Kay, to recommend
appointment of Barbara Gallagher to the temporary Deputy Register of Deeds position. On a voice
vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Controller Dolehanty presented the Committee with a proposed budget amendment to provide funding
necessary for the temporary appointment based on a 35-hour workweek. He noted the budget
amendment could be approved by the Committee because it did not result in a change to the bottom line
of the General Fund.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Kay, to approve the proposed
budget amendment transferring $3,305 from the contingency cost center to the Register of Deeds
budget, as presented by the Controller. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Victim Advocate and Office Manager Positions
Prosecuting Attorney Brian Peppler reviewed recent history of the Victim Advocate position. The State
recently announced the availability of funding for a full time Victim Advocate. Currently, the employee
roster shows one person serving as Victim Advocate and Office Manager in the Prosecutor's Office.
Peppler proposed splitting these functions into two separate, full time positions.
Controller Dolehanty presented the Committee with a proposed budget amendment to provide funding
necessary to increase the hours of the Office Manager position to accommodate a 35-hour workweek. He
noted the budget amendment would need the approval of the Board of Commissioners because it
proposed a transfer of $21,981 from the fund balance of the General Fund.
Discussion ensued about the funding source for the Victim Advocate. The Prosecutor explained the
position was mandated by the State and that the State was required to fund the position. He added that
there was no time limit placed on the availability of the funds.
It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Kay, to recommend
amending the Prosecuting Attorney budget to fully fund the Office Manager position as a full time
position. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
MSU 4-H Youth Agent Position
Controller Dolehanty reported that funding for the 4-H Youth Agent was inadvertently omitted from the
fiscal year 2002 budget. He added that the County is contractually obligated to provide funding for
wages and operating supplies, with Michigan State University being responsible for fringe benefits.
Commissioner Cooper noted that the dollar amount associated with the fringe benefits paid by Michigan
State University was significant. Chairperson Dale confirmed there was a clear duty and desire on the
part of the County to fund the position.
Finance Director Carpenter stated there were a number of ways the County could provide funding. He
suggested that an option be developed for consideration at the next Finance, Claims and Account
Committee meeting.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend that
the County fund the 4-H Youth Agent position and that the Controller and Finance Director
develop a budget amendment to be considered at the next Finance, Claims and Account Committee
meeting. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Animal Control Officer / Custodian Position
Controller Dolehanty reviewed the current status of the Animal Control Officer / Custodian Position. He
recently learned that all full time fringe benefits were offered to this employee. Therefore, Dolehanty
stated the position would be properly addressed through the collective bargaining process.
Novell Netware Server
It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend that
the Novell Netware Server be purchased from National Office Products and Printing, Inc. at a cost
of $16,571 as low bidder, and based on the recommendation of the Controller. On a voice vote, the
motion was CARRIED.
2002 Goals
Commissioner Kay reviewed the goals discussed by the Building, Grounds and Jail Committee.
Commissioner LaJoie asked that the electrical outlets in the Courthouse be inspected.
Big Brothers - Big Sisters Fund
Finance Director Carpenter recommended closing Fund 288, the Big Brothers - Big Sisters Fund,
recognizing that the County no longer maintains the corporation's fiscal records. Carpenter also noted
this action was recommended with the approval of the Big Brothers - Big Sisters organization.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, supported by Commissioner Kay, to recommend services
provided for the Big Brothers - Big Sisters agency by Chippewa County be terminated, and that
the available fund balance of $4,909.65 as of December 31, 2001 be returned to the agency to close
out the fund. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Claims and Accounts
The Committee reviewed the claims and accounts documentation provided by Finance Director
Carpenter.
It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend payment
of vouchers 30427 through 30533 and A-1 through A-21; General Funds claims of $156,371.05;
Other fund claims of $260,298.59; Health Department Claims of $331,175.70; Total claims for the
month of $747,845.34. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
It was move by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to recommend payment
of Superior Township water project claims totaling $81,060.55. On a voice vote, the motion was
CARRIED.
Public Comments
No public comment was offered.
Committee Comments
Committee members offered not additional comments.
Chairperson's Comments
Chairperson Dale offered no additional comments.
Adjourn
Hearing no other comments, Chairperson Dale asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to adjourn the meeting. On a
voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:08 p.m.
________________________________ ____________________________________
Timothy J. Dolehanty, AICP, Recorder Rita M. Dale, Chairperson