FINANCE, CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS
COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
A special meeting of the Chippewa County Board of
Commissioners’ Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee was held on Monday, June
7, 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:
Earl Kay, Chairman, Aaron Hopper, Richard
Timmer, Don Cooper and Ted Postula
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
James
Moore
MEMBERS
ABSENT:
Rita Dale
OTHERS PRESENT:
Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, James Shogren,
Veteran’s Counselor, Anthony Bosley, Drain Commissioner / Building Inspector,
Jim Lucas, MSU Extension Director, Marilyn McDonald, Treasurer, Bill Karr,
Surveyor, Ron Cross, Property Appraiser, Tina Ojala,
Bookkeeper
Additions / Deletions to the
Agenda
Chairman Kay called for additions or deletions to the
agenda.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, seconded by Commissioner Moore, to approve the agenda as presented. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
County Treasurer
County Treasurer Marilyn McDonald reviewed the status of
the delinquent tax revolving fund and the construction fund. Commissioner Cooper stated it was the
County’s goal to self-fund the delinquent tax accounts, not to build a
surplus.
Regarding the 2004 budget, Ms. McDonald said she could
offer no reductions from her department, but suggested all 40-hour employees be
reduced to 35 hours per week. She
added that her department was cut as far as possible when it was originally
prepared, and that the wage and fringe line items are the only ones left to
cut.
MSU Extension Director Jim Lucas presented a memorandum
concerning the Extension office and 4-H agent. He offered alternatives to the full-time
4-H Agent position originally proposed.
The Committee discussed funding levels for non-mandated
programs. Commissioner cooper said
the County could not continue status quo funding and needed to address
structural changes. He presented a
document showing revenue and expense trends from 1999 to 2003, with expenses
exceeding revenue in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Mr. Cooper also compared percent increases in both revenue and
expenditure trends.
County Surveyor Bill Karr reviewed changes to the
Surveyor budget. He stated $1,000
could be cut from the rent and telephone line items. These expenses will instead
be charged to the remonumentation grant program. Mr. Karr reported that other line items
were also previously reduced, leaving only wages and fringe
benefits.
Anthony Bosley, Drain Commissioner/Building Inspector
said no cuts can be made to the Drain Commissioner budget, but suggested adding
a one-way mileage charge to all building permits. He also stated the part-time secretary
position could be made seasonal, leaving the position vacant from December to
April of each year.
Veteran’s Counselor Jim Shogren reviewed State statutes
concerning the Veteran’s Affairs office.
He noted that the County is obligated to annually levy a tax for the
veteran’s relief fund. Following
discussion, it was agreed that the Veteran’s Affairs office should be treated as
a special fund and not as part of the general fund.
Controller Tim Dolehanty presented recommendations for
five cost centers under his supervision.
The amendments included five furlough days and a 50% reduction in the
cash value of accumulated sick days.
Other reductions were made in travel, conventions and seminars, overtime,
dues and subscriptions, maintenance efforts, and capital outlay purchases for a
total proposed reduction of $71,019.
Committee members expressed concern about a delay in the
purchase of a new tractor for the Building and Grounds department. It was noted that the tractor is most
important for snow removal.
Adjourn
It was moved
by Commissioner Timmer, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to adjourn the
meeting. On a voice vote, the
motion was CARRIED.
Chairman Kay declared the meeting adjourned at 6:00
p.m.
__________________________________
__________________________________
Timothy J. Dolehanty, AICP, Recorder Earl Kay, Committee
Chairman