COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES

December 14, 2007

A work session of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners was held on Friday, December 14, 2007 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Chairman Kay called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Earl Kay, Bernie LaJoie, Jim Moore, Don Cooper, Scott Shackleton and Ted Postula

MEMBERS ABSENT: Richard Timmer

OTHERS PRESENT: Representative Gary McDowell, Jim German, Chris McLean, Don McLean and Kelly Beaune, Recorder

Additions / Deletions to the Agenda

Chairman Kay called for additions or deletions to the agenda.

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

Agenda Item: Work Session with Representative Gary McDowell

The Committee met to discuss House Bill No. 5067 which became effective March 2000, Section 214, as follows: “When a single county establishes a board, all board members shall be representatives of that county. When a combination of counties establishes a board, unless otherwise agreed to by each of the participating counties, the board membership shall be divided among the counties in proportion to each county’s population, except that each county is entitled to at least 1 board membership.” Discussion included the County’s options to change HB 5067, which would be to get Schoolcraft and Mackinac County to agree to go back to the proportional membership based on the county’s population or to establish a County agency to provide mental health care, which is fiscally not an option. Prior history of this change was discussed, as well as, Community Mental Health’s position regarding a possible reversion. Commissioner Shackleton offered the following language to be added “In the event that county’s agree to board membership other than in proportion to population, any county represented on the board may notify the state and the other member counties that it desires the board membership to be in proportion to the county’s population. After 90 days of notification, the membership of the board will be re-established to reflect a proportional membership”. The Committee asked that Representative McDowell to sponsor legislation to change HB5067; Rep. McDowell agreed to talk with bill writers and to check the legalities of this prospective change.

Committee and Chairman’s Comments

The Committee offered no additional comments.

Adjourn

The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

______________________________ _______________________________

Kelly J. Beaune, Recorder Earl Kay, Chairman