FINANCE, CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
					  MEETING MINUTES

					September 25, 2002

A special meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners' Finance, Claims and Accounts 
Committee was held on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at the Chippewa County Courthouse Annex in
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  Acting Chairman Earl Kay called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a 
quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Aaron Hopper, Earl Kay, Don Cooper, Ted Postula, Gary McDowell, Rita
                 Dale, Bernard LaJoie

MEMBERS ABSENT:	None

OTHERS PRESENT:	Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, Dave Carpenter, Finance Director, Jim 
                Lucas, MSU Extension Director, Brian Peppler, Prosecuting Attorney, Kathy Noel, EDC President, Jeff 
                Moran, Sheriff, Cindy Ojala

Additions / Deletions to the Agenda
Acting Chairman Kay called for changes to the agenda.  Hearing none, the agenda was declared approved as
presented.

Public Comments
There were no public comments.

Agenda Item:  Fiscal Year 2003 Budget
At the request of Acting Chairman Kay, Controller Tim Dolehanty briefly reviewed the budget process and
the results of his meetings with department heads.  Dolehanty explained that revised property tax revenue 
figures provided by the Equalization Department were included in the most recent budget draft.

MSU Extension Director Jim Lucas appeared before the Committee to discuss adjustments to the Extension 
budget.  He reported on the recent resignation of the 4-H Youth Agent and the subsequent lifting of a hiring 
freeze imposed by the University.

Mr. Lucas noted the omission of the Home Economist and 4-H Youth Agent in the proposed 2003 budget.  
He asked the Board to consider an arrangement where the Home Economist would be retained through June 
1, 2003 using a combination of county 4-H funds budgeted for 2002 and MSU funds budgeted for fiscal 
year 2003.  Mr. Lucas also asked that the 4-H Youth Agent position be restored.

Commission Chairman McDowell asked which of the two positions was more important to the department.
Mr. Lucas stated the 4-H Youth Agent was more important.  Commissioner Dale noted variations of the 
Home Economist function were available through other agencies within Chippewa County.  Commissioner 
Cooper stated the continuity of youth and volunteer programs would be compromised in the absence of a
designated 4-H Youth Agent.

Mr. Lucas explained MSU covers only the cost of fringe benefits for the 4-H Youth Agent, and has 
established a compensation range of $27,000 to $30,000 to be paid by the County.  He also reported that 
two MSU grants would be jeopardized if the position were not restored.

EDC President Kathy Noel was called upon to review the proposed EDC budget.  She stated their request 
was reduced by $60,000 in recognition of the County's recent approval of a consulting contract with the 
firm Alcalde and Fay.  Ms. Noel said the revised request of $50,000 was necessary to match $1 million in 
Federal capital improvements grants.

Commissioner Cooper asked why the EDC could not use funds from its unrestricted fund balance to match 
the Federal dollars.  Ms. Noel responded by listing a number of projects undertaken by the EDC in the past, 
noting that no county allocation was made for airport operations or maintenance.  Acting Chairman Kay 
reminded the Committee of EDC-funded improvements to the building that houses the emergency dispatch 
center.

Acting Chairman Kay called on Prosecuting Attorney Brian Peppler to discuss budget proposals for his 
office.  Mr. Peppler reviewed the function of his office and the current caseload he faces.  He stated he is 
trying to secure additional funding from the state for prosecution of prison cases.  In response to questions 
from Commissioners, Mr. Peppler said only the most serious cases actually make it to trial.  Many other 
cases are settled before trial and through plea bargains.

Mr. Peppler stated he would ask for an additional assistant prosecuting attorney in fiscal year 2004.  The 
Committee reviewed staffing adjustments made during the current fiscal year that resulted in the full-time 
positions of Office Manager and Crime Victim Advocate within the Prosecutor's office.

Sheriff Moran reviewed his draft budget with the Committee.  After meeting with the Controller and 
making a few adjustments, Mr. Moran stated the proposed operating budgets were workable.  He also 
explained that repair and maintenance expenses would increase if new vehicles were not purchased in 2003.

Commissioner Cooper asked if the Department of Corrections had established minimum staffing guidelines
for the jail.  The Sheriff said he was unaware of any guidelines from the Department of Corrections, adding 
that part time staff and student interns are often used to supplement the full-time staff.  Mr. Moran offered a 
detailed explanation of staffing levels for the jail and road patrol function.

Funding for the Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement regional drug control program was discussed.  It was 
noted that their funding request of $20,000 was 33% higher than that budgeted for 2002.  The Committee 
discussed the coordination of other programs within the Sheriff's Department.

The Committee held a general discussion about the various budget proposals.  It was noted that the impact 
of GASB rule 34 addressing compensated absences would not be as severe in future years.  Commissioner 
Cooper said the Board could not ignore cost cutting measures and that future budgets would be equally 
challenging.

Committee Comments
There were no additional comments from committee members.

Chairperson's Comments
Acting Chairman Kay had no additional comments.

Adjourn
Acting Chairman Kay declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.





__________________________________	__________________________________
Timothy J. Dolehanty, AICP, Recorder	Earl Kay, Acting Chairman