FINANCE, CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

 

May 6, 2004

 

A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners’ Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee was held on Thursday, May 6, 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, Aaron Hopper, Richard Timmer, Don Cooper, and Ted Postula

OTHER

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:            Earl Kay and James Moore

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:                      None

 

OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, Dave Carpenter, Finance Director, Sue Short, Family Court Administrator, Thelma Bosbous, Friend of the Court

 

 

Additions / Deletions to the Agenda

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

 

Public Comments

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

 

Correspondence and Information Items

The Committee received the monthly Treasurer’s report and monthly travel report.

 

Agenda Items: Out of State Travel Requests

The Committee reviewed out of state travel requests submitted from the Health Department and Prosecuting Attorney.  The Health Department request involved an employee traveling to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and the request from the Prosecuting Attorney involved and employee traveling to Alexandria, Virginia.

 

Commissioner Cooper stated the Committee’s decision should be consistent with denial of two requests in April.  Commissioner Timmer suggested it would be appropriate to curtail all travel until the County’s fiscal condition improves.  Committee members discussed the requests and the suggestion to curtail all travel.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend the out of state travel request be denied based on the discussion and subsequent Board decision in April.

 

Commissioner Postula asked that the travel request from the Prosecuting Attorney be clarified at the regular board meeting.  It was also noted that the travel request from the Health Department involved only $11.00 and should be allowed.

 

On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Friend of the Court Part-Time Employee Hours

Thelma Bosbous, Friend of the Court, addressed the Committee about the hours of the part-time employee assigned to her office.  Ms. Bosbous discussed the number of hours the employee is assigned to normal office functions and the number of hours dedicated to the medical enforcement support contract.  She stated the employee will be working up to 35 hours per week, but would continue to be considered part-time.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend approval of the part-time employee work hours proposal presented by the Friend of the Court for the life of the medical enforcement contract.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

MSHDA Emergency Shelter Grant

The Committee discussed the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Emergency Shelter Grant proposal provided by the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commissioner.  Commissioner Cooper questioned why the County was asked to sign the grant agreement instead of the City.  The Committee directed the County Controller to discuss the matter with City officials and to report his findings to the County Board at their regular meeting scheduled for May 10.

 

Fiscal Year 2005 Community Corrections Grant

The Committee reviewed the fiscal year 2005 Community Corrections Grant information provided by David Murray, the Community Corrections Coordinator.  It was noted that this program is routinely approved every year.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Hopper, to recommend approval of Resolution 04-11 to approve application for Community Corrections Act funds.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Nationwide Retirement Solution Loan Participation Program

Controller Tim Dolehanty explained that an employee who participates in this voluntary retirement program wished to borrow against her account, but the company would not grant the request until the board agreed to a resolution to permit borrowing.  He noted similar resolutions have been approved in the past.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to recommend approval of Resolution 04-12 to approve borrowing against individual retirement accounts administered by Nationwide Retirement Solutions.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Printer Reallocation Proposal

Controller Dolehanty presented a printer reduction and reallocation proposal received from the Information Systems department.  He stated these changes should result in reduced printer expenses while allowing employees access to a number of different printers.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to recommend approval of the printer reduction and reallocation proposal as presented.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

National Forest Revenue Declaration

Controller Dolehanty presented letter affirming the County’s use of Title III National Forest revenue.  It was noted that allocation of these funds is the same as the past two years.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend approval of the Title III declaration letter as presented.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Best of America Insurance Proposal

Controller Dolehanty briefly reviewed the Best of America health insurance proposal.  He stated the original intent of the Board was to have Mr. Gordon prepare alternatives to the stop-loss coverage currently provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.  Instead, a comprehensive health insurance proposal was presented.  Mr. Dolehanty suggested it would be appropriate to defer consideration of the Best of America proposal until the health insurance program is put out for bids.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend tabling consideration of the Best of America proposal until the health insurance program is putout for bids.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Claims and Accounts

Finance Director Carpenter reviewed the monthly claims and accounts report.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend the approval of general fund claims totaling $148,360.33, other fund claims of $312,301.77, payroll of $735,091.79 and health department claims of $385,087.77, total claims of $1,580,841.66, vouchers 35800 through 35957 and E-1 through E-131. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Committee Comments

Commissioner Cooper asked to have charges attributed to Jennifer Miller confirmed as being related to state inmate prison cases.  He also asked that all material to be considered at Board meeting be made available by the day of the Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee meeting.

 

Chairperson’s Comments

Chairperson Dale offered no additional comments.

 

Adjourn

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to adjourn the meeting.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Chairperson Dale declared the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________ __________________________________

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