FINANCE, CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

 

September 8, 2005

 

A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners’ Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee was held on Thursday, September 8, 2005 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  Chairman Timmer called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with a quorum present.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                     Richard Timmer, Chairman, Ted Postula, Don Cooper, Bernie LaJoie, and James Moore

OTHER

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:       Earl Kay and Scott Shackleton

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:                       None

 

OTHERS PRESENT:                         Tina Ojala, Marilyn McDonald, Sheriff Jeff Moran, Mary Sue Short, Judge MacDonald, Judge Ulrich, Kelly Beaune.

 

Additions / Deletions to the Agenda

Chairman Timmer called for additions or deletions to the agenda. 

 

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to approve the agenda as presented.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Correspondence and Information Items:

The Committee received the monthly Treasurer’s report, monthly travel report, billing form Gillett, Halvorsen & Leonhardt, update on the Friend of the Court including the Legacy Bank Account, and UPACC Conference information.

 

Agenda Items: Probate & Family Circuit Court

Judge Lowell Ulrich updated the committee regarding line item 807, which has exceeded its original budget limit due to a case that was appealed.  Judge Ulrich requested an additional $8,000 be allocated to this line item.

 

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve an additional $8,000 be allocated from the fund balance to line item 101-132-807.000, to cover the current charges, as well as, possible additional charges that maybe incurred by the Probate & Family Circuit Court.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

District Court

Judge Michael MacDonald presented the Committee with FY06 staffing needs, FY05 surplus, FY06 additional revenues, replacement of a District Court Clerk, including rewriting of the job description, Judge MacDonald did not replacement in FY05 because of the County’s predicted budget shortfalls, he also discussed the replacement, due to retirement, of his current Magistrate, that he would need to hire an attorney for this and could possibly hire this position on a contractual basis. 

 

Sheriff Department

Sheriff Jeff Moran presented the Committee with a Law Enforce Agreement between Whitefish Township and Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department that would help both the Township and the Sheriff’s Department.  The reimbursement would be $6,200 per year, covering a $10.00 per hour 12 hours per week agreement.  It was noted that this position would not cover all costs incurred to the Department, but that it would savings would be reflected in other areas of the Sheriff’s Department budget. 

 

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the Law Enforcement Agreement between Whitefish Township and Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department as presented.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

Sheriff Moran, also updated the Committee on a repair that needs to be completed in the parking area, due to a leak, the Sheriff sought three bids, and will have the repair completed.

 

Homeland Security Grant expenditures

The Committee received this request from Director Tim McKee, presented by Finance Chairman Richard Timmer, for the expenditure of funds from the County’s Homeland Security Critical Infrastructure Protection Grant, three projects were utilized for this grant allocation: 1) Buffer Zone Protection Plan Security Equipment $74,000; 2) camera system at the International Bridge $126,000 and 3) completing Interoperable Communications $150,000.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve expenditures of $131,054.00 to Motorola, El-Com Communications, $5,990 for batteries, and $12,979.74 to Communications Applied Technology.  On a voice vote the motion was CARRIED.

 

Cost Allocation Plan

The Committee received a proposal and reviewed the past practice of awarding this contract, it is believed that staff in house can do this plan; the plan has been completed on a contractual basis for at least the past five year.  Liske & Brusich offered a $100 per year savings if a 3-year contract was accepted, reducing the annual cost to $4,900, a one year contract would cost the County $5,000.  Discussion ensued.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve a one-year contract with Liske & Brusich to complete the County’s Cost Allocation Plan for $5,000.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.  (Commissioner Cooper voting nay)

 

2% Pass Through Funds/Special Olympic

Commissioner Moore presented the Committee with a request for the County to be the pass through agent for possible 2% funding from the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to the Special Olympics.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the signature for the 2% Pass Through request from the Special Olympic.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Equipment Purchases

Previously requested quotes for rope/chair ladders and modifying window guards in the basement level of the Courthouse.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Postula, to purchase the chain ladders for the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Courthouse, and to approve the window guard modifications.  On voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

A letter from the Bay Mills Pow Wow Committee was received and discussed by the Committee.

 

 

Claims and Accounts – County

The monthly claims and accounts report were presented.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend the approval of general fund claims totaling $180,894.94, other fund claims of $322,749.82, payroll of $342,798.90 and health department claims of $396,471.80, total claims of $1,242,915.46, vouchers 38786 through 38946 and H-1 through H-190.   On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Committee Comments

The Committee will be receiving copies of the 24 applications for the County Administrator; confidentiality for the applicants was discussed.

 

 

Chairman’s Comments

No comments.

 

Adjourn

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

 

Chairperson Timmer declared the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.

 

 

 

 

__________________________________          __________________________________

Kelly J. Beaune, Recorder                                       Richard Timmer, Committee Chairperson