The Chippewa County Board of
Commissioner met in regular session on
Present: Commissioners: Ted Postula, Don Cooper, Rita Dale, Richard
Timmer, Aaron Hopper, Jim Moore and Chairman Earl Kay
Also Present: Sharon Kennedy, Register of
Deeds/Equalization Director, Mary Sue Nelson, Lisa Wilcox, Marilyn McDonald,
Treasurer, Tina James-Ojala, Brian Peppler, Prosecutor, Maxine Anderson,
Rosemary Blashill, Health Department, Dave Carpenter, Finance Director, Julie
Timmer, Norma Osborn, Robin Lechner, Ron Cross, Barbara Fortin, Scott Brand,
Evening News, Susan Short, Jeff Moran, Sheriff, Margie Hank, Dr. James Terrian,
Health Department, Wayne Fortin, Julie Trotter, Janet Kiley, Orlando Todd,
Bonnie Southworth, Marysue Pierson, Deana Knauf, Rick Haverkate, Julie Joseph
Barber, Amber Myers, Lisa Myers, Tim Dolehanty, Controller and Diane Cork,
Clerk
It was moved by Commissioner Postula,
supported by Commissioner Cooper, to acknowledge the correspondence received in
the Clerk’s Office and if necessary, forward to the appropriate
committees. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Moore,
supported by Commissioner Timmer, to approve the minutes of
Commissioner Cooper stated he would
like to see the budget figures added to Resolution 04-13 approved at the
The motion carried with the
appropriate corrections.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Dave Carpenter, Finance Director,
addressed the Board stating there seemed to be some confusion as to what his
job is and the financial crisis the County is facing. Mr. Carpenter gave highlights and comparisons
from 1997 to 2003 for wages and fringes, Blue Cross for employees and retirees,
retirement, long term/short term disability, sick time payouts, the animal
shelter and operating costs, Child Care Fund, E.D.C., Alcade and Fay, grants
and interest rates. He stated there are
no more slush funds.
Marilyn McDonald, Treasurer, stated
that she had given the Commissioners a tax collection proposal from the State
of
Sharon Kennedy, Register of
Deeds/Equalization Director, suggested a ballot proposal be placed on the
November 2004 ballot to offset the deficit in 2005
Norma Osborn and Amber Myers,
representing 4-H of
CONTROLLER’S REPORT – Tim Dolehanty
Mr. Dolehanty had no action items but
stated that there was an open forum concerning the information packets that the
Board receives. He stated the packets
are available to anyone that would like to receive one.
Commissioner Cooper had two items to
add under the Controller’s report. He
stated the
It was moved by Commissioner Cooper,
supported by Commissioner Postula, to recommend the
It was moved by Commissioner Cooper,
supported by Commissioner Moore, to concur with a resolution from the Lake
County Board of Commissioners or pass a resolution to support the proposed
constitutional amendment House Joint Resolution Y which will ensure the
citizens of Michigan receive stable funding of state mandated and state
constitutional services appropriated to their needs and that this
concurrence/resolution be sent to Senator Allen and Representative
Shackleton. On a voice vote, the motion
carried.
OLD BUSINESS: None
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Personnel – Rita Dale – No meeting
Equalization & Apportionment –
Jim Moore – No meeting
Health & Social Services – Ted
Postula – No meeting
Building, Grounds & Jail – Earl
Kay – No meeting
Transportation – Ted Postula – No
meeting
Legislative & Natural Resources –
Richard Timmer – No meeting
Computer – Don Cooper – No meeting
Finance, Claims & Accounts – Rita
Dale – May 13 and
It was noted that Commissioner Cooper
was not in attendance for this meeting.
The meeting of
It was moved by Commissioner Dale,
supported by Commissioner Hopper, to accept the Finance, Claims and Accounts
Committee meeting of
Meeting of
Prosecuting Attorney Brian Peppler
appeared before the Committee to request authorization to fill a vacant legal
secretary position. He offered workload
statistics to support his request, adding that the addition of 24 federal
agents to the community caused an increase in cases.
Chairperson Dale asked Mr. Peppler if
he would be agreeable to a meeting with two commissioners and the Controller to
discuss the possibility of filling his request.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale,
supported by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend a meeting between the
Prosecuting Attorney, the Controller, and two commissioners to discuss the
possibility of filling the vacant legal secretary position.
Controller Dolehanty presented the
Blue Cross County Jail Administrative Services Contract. He stated Blue Cross is the only provider of
health insurance for jail inmates.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale,
supported by Commissioner Hopper, to recommend approval of the Blue Cross
County Jail Administrative Services Contract at a cost of $14,160. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Commissioner Hopper continued the
report for Commissioner Dale.
Controller Dolehanty presented the
Prudential Financial Group Annuity Contract amendment. He stated the amendment was necessary in
order to allow Prudential to add language about the transfer of assets from one
type of retirement plan or account to another.
Action was requested to allow compliance with the Economic Growth and
Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper,
supported by Commissioner Moore, to recommend approval of the Prudential
Financial Group Annuity Contract Amendment as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty presented the
Friend of the Court Title IV-D Cooperative Reimbursement Contract Application
for fiscal year 2005. He stated this was
a routine agreement presented each year to assure the County is properly
reimbursed for certain expenses.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper,
supported by Commissioner Postula, to recommend approval of the Friend of the
Court Title IV-D Cooperative Reimbursement Contract Application as
presented. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty presented the
Community Emergency Response Training Grant as submitted by the Office of
Emergency Services. He briefly reviewed
the budget, work strategies, and objective of the program.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper,
supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend approval of the Community
Emergency Response Training Grant as presented.
On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
MSU Extension Director Jim Lucas
announced that MSU has hired Joseph Gallow to administer a trail planning
grant. Mr. Lucas also discussed ongoing
activities related to the 4-H youth agent position. He said MSU would provide up to $20,000, not
including wages, and that he continues to seek long-term funding
solutions. Mr. Lucas asked for a meeting
similar to the one arranged for the Prosecuting Attorney to discuss the 4-H
position. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper,
supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend a meeting between the MSU
Extension Director, the Controller, and two commissioners to discuss the
possibility of filling the vacant 4-H youth agent position. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty presented a
proposal to create an animal shelter donation fund. He said this was necessary in order to
properly account for donations received by the animal shelter.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper,
supported by Commissioner Moore, to recommend establishing Fund 285, the Animal
Shelter Donations Fund, as presented.
Commissioner Cooper asked if the
paving of the parking lot at the animal shelter was a donation. It was stated that this was done at no cost
to the County.
The motion to create Animal Shelter
Donation Fund 285 carried on a voice vote.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper,
supported by Commissioner Postula, to recommend the approval of general fund
claims totaling $114,635.60, other fund claims of $461,199.82, payroll of
$545,442.22 and health department claims of $376,649.03, total claims of
$1,497,926.67, vouchers 36182 through 36378 and G-1 through G-110. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper,
supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend scheduling the next Committee
meeting for the Circuit Courtroom and that the microphones be activated. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper,
supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the report the Finance, Claims and
Accounts Committee report of July 8, 2004 as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner Hopper, to adopt the Clean Indoor Air Regulation
Ordinance as presented.
After a number of comments, on a roll
call vote, Commissioners Dale, Hopper, Postula, Timmer and Chairman Kay voted
yes. Commissioners Cooper and Moore
voted no. The motion carried 5-2.
Commissioner Hopper read a
proclamation received from the White House in honor of President Ronald Regan
which will be displayed within the Courthouse.
Commissioner Dale moved to rescind
Resolution 04-13, a resolution to amend the fiscal year 2004 general
appropriations act: to direct the County Controller to reverse budget amendments
implemented as a result of Resolution 04-13 and to schedule a special meeting
of the Board of Commissioners for later this week to discuss alternative
solutions to the anticipated budget imbalance.
Commissioner Dale stated that the
County Board needs to have a cohesive way to get the County going , keep it
going and make sure the employees are aware of what’s going on and to get it
done as quickly as possible.
Commissioner Cooper stated he had no
problem rescinding the motion because he didn’t think it was fair.
Commissioner Moore stated that by
leaving the resolution as is, and not rescinding the motion, at least the
employees know that there will be no layoffs but maybe furlough days.
Commissioner Timmer thought the
County would be three quarters of a million dollars behind next year if costs
continue and revenues continue the same as this year.
Extended discussion was held on a
possible millage question.
On the motion, Commissioners Dale and
Cooper voted yes. Commissioners Postula,
Timmer, Hopper, Moore and Kay voted no.
The motion failed 2-5.
It was moved by Commissioner Postula,
to schedule a special meeting to look for alternative funding for the remainder
of this year and next year. This motion
was supported by Commissioner Hopper. On
a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Cooper stated that the
Sault Tribe just had an election and that the County Board works very closely
with them and recommends sending a resolution to both Bernard Bouschor and
Aaron Payment. This motion was supported
by Commissioner Moore. On a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
Having no further business, it was
moved by Commissioner Hopper, supported by Commissioner Postula to
adjourn. On a voice vote, the motion
carried and the Board did adjourn at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane S. Cork, Clerk
Earl Kay, Chairman