PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

FINANCE, CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

January 8, 2004

A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners' Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee was held on Thursday, January 8, 2004 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, Richard Timmer, Ted Postula, Don Cooper, and James Moore (voting for Aaron Hopper)

MEMBERS ABSENT: Aaron Hopper

OTHER

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Earl Kay

OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, Dave Carpenter, Finance Director, Elizabeth Church, Chief Public Defender, Sue Short, Probate Court Administrator, and Jack Gordon

Additions / Deletions to the Agenda

Chairperson Dale called for additions or deletions to the agenda. Commissioner Timmer asked to discuss an award from the Forest Service to be presented to Mr. Rudy Johnson. The Committee agreed to add this topic to the agenda. Chairperson Dale declared the agenda approved with the amendment.

Public Comments

Chairperson Dale called for pubic comments. No public comments were offered.

Correspondence and Information Items

The monthly Treasurer's Report and travel report were received by the Committee.

Agenda Items: Health Insurance Stop Loss Coverage

Controller Tim Dolehanty briefly reminded the Committee of the 87% increase imposed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan for health insurance stop loss coverage in 2004. He introduced Jack Gordon of Best of America to present an alternative to the Blue Cross proposal.

Mr. Gordon discussed how his agency could reduce the cost for the stop loss coverage. He stated it would be necessary for the Board to formally name him as the County's agent before he could access the necessary records to determine the amount of the savings. In response to questions posed by the Committee, Mr. Gordon stated the Board could revoke his status as agent at any time, and that the County would not be billed for his work to determine the amount to be saved.

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend naming Jack Gordon of Best of America as the County's health insurance agent.

Mr. Gordon was asked to report his findings to the Committee at the February or March meeting.

On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Report on State Inmate Public Defender

Chief Public Defender Elizabeth Church presented a draft independent contractor agreement with Jennifer Miller for defense of state prison inmates. Ms. Church reviewed financial information from the past six months showing the arrangement has resulted in additional revenue for the County.

Commissioner Cooper questioned Ms. Church regarding assignments made to Ms. Miller and its relationship to the department workload. He also confirmed that Ms. Miller would be an independent contractor under the agreement.

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, seconded by Commissioner Moore, to recommend approval of the independent contractor agreement with Jennifer Miller for defense of state prison inmates. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED, 4-1.

Substance Abuse Education Services Agreement

Mr. Dolehanty presented a draft agreement with Marquette General Hospital to provide substance abuse education services for inmates held in the county jail at an annual cost of $6,240. He stated the County is required to provide this service to those held in the jail.

Commissioner Cooper asked if any other agencies could provide this service. Mr. Dolehanty stated he was not certain, but he would ask the Sheriff.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend approval of the agreement with Marquette General Hospital to provide substance abuse education services at an annual cost of $6,240, as presented. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Forest Service Award

Commissioner Timmer asked if the Committee would agree to allow presentation of a National Forest Service award at the next regular Board meeting to Mr. Rudy Johnson for his contribution to the annual forest clean-up project. Commissioner Timmer explained that Mr. Johnson was unable to attend an award ceremony held in Milwaukee and suggested presentation at a Board meeting would be appropriate.

The Committee agreed with Commissioner Timmer's request. Commissioner Timmer will follow-up on the meeting schedule.

Claims and Accounts

Finance Director Dave Carpenter reviewed the monthly claims and accounts report.

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend the approval of general fund claims totaling $52,783.14 and other fund claims of $24,630.06, total claims of $77,413.20, vouchers 35115 through 35194 and A-1 through A-12. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Review of Correspondence from County Counsel

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to enter into a closed session to review correspondence from County Counsel, pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Open Meetings Act, Act 267, P.A. 1976, as amended, being MCL 15.268(e). A roll call vote was taken as follows: Cooper - Yes; Timmer - Yes; Moore - Yes; Postula - Yes; Dale - Yes. Motion CARRIED.

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to resume the open session meeting of the Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee. A roll call vote was taken as follows: Timmer - Yes; Moore - Yes; Postula - Yes; Cooper - Yes; Dale - Yes. Motion CARRIED.