COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

BUDGET WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES

December 19, 2004

A budget work session of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners was held on Sunday, December 19, 2004 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Finance Chair Dale called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Earl Kay, Ted Postula, Rita Dale, Don Cooper, Dick Timmer, James Moore and Aaron Hopper (2:08pm)

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Marilyn McDonald, Treasurer, Liz Church, Public Defender, Jeff Moran, Sheriff, Lowell Ulrich, Probate Court Judge, Jim Lucas, MSC Co-op Extension Director, Kelly Beaune, Assistant to the Controller

FY 2005 Budget Proposal

FY2005 was presented to the Board of Commissioners. A missing transfer from Fund 212 to Fund 101 was pointed out by Commissioner Cooper, and revenue from Refunds and Rebates was questioned and asked to be checked. The Controller’s position was discussed and was not included in the proposed budget. Other agencies that received allocation cuts or were eliminated: Chippewa County Health Department $51,400; Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority $25,000.00; EUP Regional Planning & Development $17,100; Soil Conservation $22,000. Additional savings/cuts were shown in line items: legal services, copier and postage. Michigan Association of Counties dues of $8,600 were discussed with the possibility of not paying there dues; and what, if any repercussions the County would in counter, if the dues were not paid. Each Fund was gone through with questions, discussions and answers being provided. Areas to possibly make additional cuts, was elimination of travel for all Departments. Courthouse maintenance was discussed with a plan needing to be set up for scheduled continual maintenance and general up keep. The Courthouse grounds were also discussed, including use of the Master Gardener program and moving the Veteran’s Memorial being moved to the Courthouse lawn from War Memorial Hospital.

It was suggested by the Board of Commissioners that $50,000 be put back into the FY05 budget for the Controller’s position and that $25,000 for a 4 wheel drive vehicle for the Sheriff’s Department also be put back into the recommended budget numbers. It was also suggested that those agencies whom either were cut or eliminated be given precedence to receive funding from the County – of funds are available.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

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Kelly J. Beaune, Assistant to the Controller Rita Dale, Chairman