The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, July 11, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the 50^th Circuit Courtroom of the Chippewa County Courthouse.

Present: Commissioners: Ted Postula, Don Cooper, Scott Shackleton, Richard Timmer,

Bernard LaJoie, Jim Moore and Chairman Earl Kay

Also Present: Frank Blissett, Don and Chris McLean, Kelly Beaune, Assistant to the

Controller and Diane Cork, County Clerk

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to acknowledge the correspondence received in the Clerk’s Office and if necessary, forward to the appropriate committee. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the County Board minutes of June 13, 2005 as prepared by the Clerk. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Don McLean read the following statement:

“At last months Hiawatha Behavioral Health meeting the business manager mentioned to the board possible cuts in funding from the state. He wisely suggested keeping new spending in check until it was determined what form the budget cut would take.

A bit later in the meeting the bidding out of a new 24’x 24’ pole building for the Sault office was brought up for consideration. A board member had first mentioned this idea a few months ago as a possible place to store lawn and snow removal equipment.

Since it’s first mention we have spoken against the idea of a pole building and suggested instead the purchase of a small storage building such as are advertised by a number of local lumberyards. We felt this would be a reasonable and cost effective solution for the storage of a lawn mower a snow blower a few shovels and rakes.

The concept now being considered is a 24’ x 24’ pole building with electric garage door openers at a price tag not to exceed $12,000.

Somewhere along the way it has become necessary to do more than store a lawnmower a snow blower a few shovels and rakes.

This is beginning to sound like a vehicle maintenance building for the huge fleet of cars and vans that the agency has acquired over the last few years. The next item on the agenda will probably be a mechanic to work in the new building.

For years now we have brought you information on what we see as the continuing mismanagement of HBH as they have established priorities that focused on management and employee benefits while cutting client care. We see this pole building as another example that will benefit management and staff at the expense of client care.

This mismanagement is even more apparent since this action is proceeding even after their business manager suggested caution in spending.

We again ask you to continue your efforts to bring about change in HBH so it will better serve the residents of Chippewa County.”

CONTROLLER’S REPORT: Kelly Beaune

Informational purposes only, no action items required.

OLD BUSINESS: None

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Personnel – Bernard LaJoie – June 27, 2005

Per instructions from Personnel Chairman LaJoie, copies of eleven job descriptions for Controller/Administrator were obtained from various counties. The job descriptions were reviewed and discussed by the Committee.

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to advertise for an Administrator/CFO, with the salary being based on experience and knowledge, with a defined six month job review/evaluation for the individual hired and that a job description is presented to the full Board of Commissioner at the Finance meeting on July 7.

Chairman Kay explained that at the Personnel Committee meeting, it was the consensus of the Committee that an Administrator would be a better selection for our county at this time than a Controller. An Administrator basically does the same thing as a Controller, but it leaves more control in the County Board hands and only takes a majority vote not a 2/3 vote to dismiss a person from the position.

Commissioner Cooper reminded the Board that they voted at the last meeting to hire a controller. He thought it was wrong for the committee to take it into their own hands.

Commissioner Postula reiterated that he made the motion just to get things moving along. He has no problem with an administrator.

Discussion followed. Kelly Beaune distributed to the Commissioners a description of Controller/Administrator from the guide to Michigan County Government.

It was moved by Commissioner Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Postula, that this matter be tabled and moved to the last business item at the end of the meeting. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

Tim McKee, OES/9-1-1 Director, requested approval to hire new part-time personnel.

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Moore, to authorize Director McKee to maintain three (3) part-time positions as needed. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

Having no further action items, it was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to accept the committee report as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

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 and Accounts – Richard Timmer – July 7, 2005

Sheriff Jeff Moran presented three requests to the Committee for review and approval, the first request was to adjust the revenue and expenditures on reimbursements that were not budgeted for FY2005. The adjustments have a neutral effect on the FY2005 budget.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the budget adjustments as requested, reimbursements from Michigan Works $2,550.42: U.S. Marshall medical $4,500.00; Homeland Security $488.00; Road Patrol $14,062.50; Mental Transports $5,282.05 and Wage Refund Training $119.79; equal expenditures of wages $3,158.21; medical $9,782.05 and gas, oil and maintenance $14,062.50. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

The Sheriff’s second request was to upgrade five (5) outdated computers, the jail computers are currently unable to handle an upgrade.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the purchase of five (5) Dimension 3000 Desktops that come with flat screen monitors from Dell at $699.96 each for a total of $3,499.80, to be paid for out of Fund 466.

Commissioner Cooper stated that Fund 466 was set up for construction, renovation and upkeep of the facility, not to supply the above type of materials.

On a voice vote, the motion carried with Commissioner Cooper voting no.

The third request from the Sheriff was to seek approval for the renewal of the Chippewa County Inmates BC/BS program which keeps the cost of inmates medical down. The program locks in the cost of treatments and prescription drugs.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the renewal as presented for July 2005 through June 2006. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

The Committee was presented the invoice for Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve payment of $550 from the Commissioners dues line item. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

The Committee was presented a request from the Great-West Retirement Services to adopt a new version the Great-West plan document. This change is due to the change in “IRS” regulations.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve to amend the plan documents for Great-West Retirement Services. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend the approval of general fund claims totaling $236,257.81, other fund claims of $165,559.39, payroll of $343,010.44 and health department claims of $410,303.39, total claims of $1,155,131.03, vouchers 38482 through 38650 and F-1 through F-151. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

The Committee discussed several items including fixing the Courthouse flagpole, replace shingles that have blown off and replacing rubber flashing which ice has peeled off. A bid of $6,046.00 was received from Henry J. Ware, Inc.

Discussion continued regarding the County’s bidding policy, possibly getting the man lift rental at a better price from a different company.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the repairs as presented, and the man lift prices checked and billed separately, both will be paid from the Delinquent Revolving Tax fund. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to ratify the 9-1-1 Central Dispatch Contract as discussed in closed session. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

With no further action items, it was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore to accept the report of the Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee as presented. On a voice vote the motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS: None

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Shackleton, to remove from the table the motion re: Controller/Administrator re: advertising/hiring. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Discussion followed on the job description submitted to the Commissioners, wage scale, education and financial duties.

Commissioner Shackleton offered an amendment to the original motion, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to change the section of the job description to make it clear that the individual hired would be responsible for the preparation of the budget.

Commissioner Shackleton offered a motion to amend the amendment to specifically point out the position description and advertise the position description as County Administrator/Chief Financial Officer and the section of financial duties to make clear that the person is responsible for the preparation of the budget. The motion was supported by Commissioner Timmer. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Timmer offered a seconded amended motion to include the salary range of $45,000 to $62,000 (dependent on experience and grade level) plus benefits. Motion seconded by Commissioner Shackleton. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

On the motion to advertise/hire a County Administrator/CFO, Commissioners Postula, Shackleton, Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes. Commissioner Cooper voted no. Motion carried.

Discussion was held on the County Controller Act, review board for Administrator/CFO and department head participation.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to adjourn. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously and the Board did adjourn at 7:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane S. Cork, Clerk Earl Kay, Chairman