The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners met in regular
session on
Present: Commissioners
Ted Postula, Rita Dale, Richard Timmer, Aaron Hopper, Jim Moore and Chairman
Earl Kay
Absent: Commissioner
Don Cooper
Also Present: Don and
Chris McLean, Don Holt, Jeff Moran, Sheriff, Susan Short, Probate Court, Mary
Piralli, Scott Brand, Evening News, Tim Dolehanty,
It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by
Commissioner Timmer, to acknowledge the correspondence received in the Clerk’s
Office and if necessary, forward to the appropriate committee. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner
Timmer, to approve the minutes of February 17, 2004 as prepared by the
Clerk. On a voice vote, the motion
carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Don McLean read a statement to the Commission encouraging
them to continue their efforts to improve mental health services.
CONTROLLER’S REPORT – Tim Dolehanty
The first action under the Controller’s report was the
appointment to the Hiawatha Behavioral Health Authority Board. The names of Richard Beadle, William P.
Connolly, James R. Johnson, Dr. Leif LaLone and Cynthia Ojala were nominated at
the February County Board meeting.
On a roll call vote, Commissioners Rita Dale, Ted Postula,
Richard Timmer and Chairman Earl Kay voted for Richard Beadle. Commissioners Aaron Hopper and James Moore
voted for William P. Connolly. Having
received four votes, Richard Beadle was appointed to the Hiawatha Behavioral
Health Board Authority with a term to expire March 31, 2007.
Mr. Dolehanty stated correspondence was received from Lee
Shirey, DDA Director, seeking permission to use the Courthouse lawn on
Thursdays, June 24th until August 5th for this summers
“Lunch Time Concert Series”. It was felt
that this would be a prime location for the program to offer diverse
entertainment for residents and tourists.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner
Moore, to approve the use of the Courthouse lawn for the dates stated above.
On discussion, Commission Hopper thought some guidelines
should be set for the clean-up and care of the area.
On a voice vote, the motion carried.
This concluded the Controller’s report.
OLD BUSINESS: None
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
*Personnel – Rita Dale – Meeting of 2-25-04
Tim McKee, O.E. S. Director, asked the Committee to consider
appointment of Jennifer Lyn Besteman to the position of part-time dispatcher.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner
Posutla, to recommend appointment of Jennifer Lyn Besteman to the vacant
part-time dispatcher position. On a
voice vote, the motion carried.
The pay rate established for the Under-sheriff upon his
promotion to that position was discussed.
In recognition of recent events concerning advancement of court
employees to the top of their respective pay scales, it was agreed that the
Under-sheriff should be given the same consideration and his pay adjusted
accordingly.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner
Moore, to recommend approval of the pay rate adjustment for the Under-sheriff
as presented. On a voice vote, the
motion carried.
The Committee reviewed a memorandum from MSU Extension
Director Jim Lucas concerning appointment of a 4-H Youth Agent.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner
Postula, to recommend the appointment of a 4-H Youth Agent be postponed. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner
Postula, to accept the report of the Personnel Committee as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
*Equalization & Apportionment – Jim Moore – No meeting
*Health & Social Services – Ted Postula – 2-23-04
The Health & Social Services Committee report required
no formal action by the County Board.
It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by
Commissioner Hopper, to accept the report of Commissioner Postula as
presented. On a voice vote, the motion
carried.
*Building, Grounds & Jail – Earl Kay – 2-24-04
The Building, Grounds & Jail Committee report required
no formal action by the County Board.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner
Postula, to accept the report of Chairman Kay as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
*Transportation Committee – Ted Postula – No meeting
*Legislative & Natural Resources – Richard Timmer –
3-1-04
This report was for informational purposes only and required
no formal action.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Hopper, to accept the report as given. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
*Computer Committee – Don Cooper – No meeting
*Finance, Claims & Accounts – Rita Dale – 3-4-04
Commissioner Cooper reviewed the history of payments to
employees of the Public Defender’s Office and the contract between the County
and the Sault Tribe for Public Defender services. He said it appears that employees received
compensation in addition to their respective salaries and wages since the Sault
Tribe contract was approved in 2000.
Commissioner Cooper said this result was not intended. Committee members agreed, noting in their
discussion that the situation was not fair to taxpayers or the County.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner
Moore, to recommend that proper adjustments be made to assure County employees
are properly compensated, and to place all affected parties on notice as
required in the existing agreement. On a
voice vote, the motion carried.
Register of Deeds/Equalization Director Sharon Kennedy
appeared before the Committee to request authorization to purchase equipment
and software in order to comply with requirements imposed under Act 698 of
2002. The estimated $38,000 cost to
complete purchase would come from funds deposited in the technology fund.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner
Hopper, to recommend approval of the equipment and software purchase as
recommended by the Register of Deeds/Equalization Director. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
Controller Dolehanty reported on an increase in premium cost
for short-term and long-term disability insurance coverage for Sheriff
Department employees. Employee Benefits
Agency, Inc., acting on behalf of the County, sought quotes from other
companies that provide the same coverage.
The agency recommended contracting with Medical Life Insurance Company
for the short-term disability policy, and renewing coverage with Harleysville
for long-term disability coverage.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner
Postula, to recommend contracting with Medical Life Insurance Company for the
short-term disability policy, and renewing coverage with Harleysville for
long-term disability coverage as proposed by Employee Benefits Agency, Inc. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
Controller Dolehanty presented a draft credit card policy
for consideration by the Committee.
Commissioner Kay reported on a situation that occurred at the health department
when an employee made a purchase for the department with a personal credit
card.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner
Hopper, to recommend use of a County credit card be explored further, and to seek
advice from the County auditor. On a
voice vote, the motion carried.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner
Hopper, to recommend approval the following Resolution No 04-05:
RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO TAX COLLECTION DATE CHANGE
AND ELIMINATION OF STATE REVENUE SHARING
WHEREAS, Governor
Jennifer Granholm proposed to temporarily eliminate revenue sharing for Michigan counties in her FY 2005
budget: and
WHEREAS, the
Governor called for creation of a reserve fund in her FY 2005 budget proposal, paid for by advancing the date when
county property taxes are collected, to
provide the equivalent of what counties would receive in revenue sharing for at least five years: and
WHEREAS, the
Governor’s budget proposal does not address replacement of revenue sharing dollars after temporary
suspension; and
WHEREAS, the
proposal to advance the property tax collection date will place an additional burden on Chippewa County
taxpayers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, as follows:
1. That the
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners respectfully records its opposition to
the Governor’s proposal to temporarily eliminate state revenue sharing payments
to counties, and her proposal to advance the date when county property taxes
are collected: and
2. That the
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners calls on the Governor and State
Legislature to work with the Michigan Association of Counties to create a
stable fund designed to maintain county revenue sharing payments on a permanent
basis; and
3. That a copy of
this resolution be forwarded to Governor Granholm, state legislators
representing Chippewa County, and the Michigan Association of Counties for
their consideration.
On a roll call vote, Commissioners Postula, Dale, Timmer,
Hopper, Moore and Chairman Kay voted yes.
The motion carried.
The following Resolution #04-06 was offered by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Timmer.
RESOLUTION IN APPRECIATION AND SPECIAL RECOGNITION
OF RICHARD ASKWITH
WHEREAS, Richard Askwith
was appointed to the position of Chippewa County Friend of the Court on June 1, 1993; and
WHEREAS, Richard
Askwith dutifully served the residents of Chippewa County for th esucceeding ten years; and
WHEREAS, Richard
Askwith honorable served the citizens of Chippewa County during tenure as the Friend of the Court
until his retirement on December 31, 2003.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, as follows:
1. That the
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners respectfully dedicates this document to
honor and thank Richard Askwith for his many years of public service and
particularly for his work in Chippewa County.
2. That the
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners extend their best wishes to Richard
Askwith for many years of good health and enjoyment in his retirement.
On a roll call vote, Commissioners Postula, Dale, Timmer,
Hopper, Moore and Chairman Kay voted yes.
The motion carried.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner
Postula, to recommend the approval of general fund claims totaling $303,568.46,
other fund claims of $52,503.41, payroll of $523,119.84 and health department
claims of $474,254.76, total claims of $1,353,446.47, vouchers 35377 through
35537 and C-1 through C-193. On a voice
vote, the motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Dale, supported by
Commissioner Timmer, to accept the report of the Finance, Claims & Accounts
Committee as presented. On a voice vote,
the motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS: None
Having no further business, it was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Dale to adjourn. On a voice vote, the motion carried and the
Board did adjourn at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane S. Cork, Clerk
Earl Kay, Chairman