October 8, 2003

A special meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners’ Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee was held on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Chairperson Dale called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Rita Dale, Chairperson , Richard Timmer, and Don Cooper

OTHER

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Earl Kay and James Moore

MEMBERS ABSENT: Ted Postula and Aaron Hopper

OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, Dave Carpenter, Finance Director, and Brian Peppler, Prosecuting Attorney

Approval of the Agenda

Chairperson Dale called for additions or deletions to the agenda. Hearing none, she declared the agenda approved as presented.

Agenda Items: Prosecuting Attorney Cost Centers

Prosecuting Attorney Brian Peppler appeared before the Committee to discuss budget proposals for his cost centers. He noted that the revenue projection for reimbursements should be increased to reflect the amounts included in the Title IV Cooperative Reimbursement contract.

Mr. Peppler asked that the salaries of the two assistant prosecutors be adjusted upward by 5% to reflect the current workload demands. In addition, he asked that the wage for the support coordinator legal secretary be increased to $34,000 in order to allow for reclassification of that position. Mr. Peppler also requested reinstatement of funds to pay for a summer intern in 2004.

The Prosecutor provided the committee with statistical information about the caseload of his department. He also discussed revenue trends and his commitment to find new revenue sources.

General Budget Discussion

The Committee reviewed 37 requested changes to the budget as presented by department heads and commissioners. Following discussion, it was agreed that revenue requests totaling $58,517 would be added to the proposed budget, and that revised expenses totaling $43,987 would be included as follows.

Reimbursements - Circuit Court........................................................... Add $35,000 to revenue

Circuit Court Probation Officer - increase workweek to 40 hours............ Add 7,431 to expenses

Circuit Court Probation Officer - increase workweek to 40 hours............ Add 7,370 to expenses

District Court Probation Officer - increase workweek to 40 hours........... Add 7,364 to expenses

Reimbursements - Friend of the Court.................................................. Add $12,000 to revenue

Legal Secretary - Friend of the Court (through January 9, 2004)............. Add 1,922 to expenses

Telephone - Clerk............................................................................... Add 200 to expenses

4-H Agent Contract - MSU Extension................................................... Add 27,000 to expenses

Supplies - Register of Deeds................................................................ Add 700 to expenses

Postage - Register of Deeds................................................................. Add 500 to expenses

Equipment Maintenance - Register of Deeds.......................................... Add 500 to expenses

SANE Membership Dues..................................................................... Subtract 5,000 from expenses

Senior Citizens Nutrition Program........................................................ Add 2,100 to expenses

Contingencies.................................................................................... Subtract 7,500 from expenses

Sault Drain District............................................................................. Subtract 5,000 from expenses

Probate Court Air Conditioning............................................................ Add 1,800 to expenses

Prosecuting Attorney Reimbursement................................................... Add $11,517 to revenue

Prosecuting Attorney Intern................................................................. Add 4,600 to expenses

The Committee considered cost estimates for the electrical upgrade and air conditioning project at the City/County building. According to documents provided by the City, the portion of the project to be paid by the County amounted to $36,700. The Committee agreed to utilize the fund balance of the Annex Renovation Fund for this purpose. It was noted that these funds could be committed to this project because the general fund was the source of these dollars.

The Committee agreed that the request to purchase a digital microfilm scanner at a cost of $12,500 could be accommodated by utilizing funds from the Register of Deeds automation fund and from the administration fees of the delinquent tax revolving fund. The Committee also agreed to budget $20,058 for the purchase of video surveillance equipment from the correctional facility debt fund.

Adjourn

Chairperson Dale declared the meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

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