COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES

June 28, 2007

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A work session of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners was held on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Vice Chairman Timmer called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Bernie LaJoie, Ted Postula, Dick Timmer, Jim Moore, and Scott Shackleton

MEMBERS ABSENT: Earl Kay and Don Cooper

OTHERS PRESENT: Sheriff Jeff Moran, Undersheriff Robert Savoie, Lieutenants Allen and Horka; Chuck Leonhardt, Robert Van Putten, Harrison/Landmark; Jon Zander, Gundlach Champion; Vincent Clausen and Ricardo Wong, Department of Homeland Security; Scott Dyer U.S. Marshals Service and Kelly Beaune, Recorder

Agenda Item: Possible Jail Expansion

The committee met to discuss and review to possibility of an expansion project to the County Jail. Mr. Robert Van Putten of Harrison/Landmark first went over the concept of the addition which would increase the County facility by 56 beds, which would be built pod style with parking below. The additional would be approximately 9000 square feet with an approximate cost of $3,120,000, the fees, as well as, the built-ins. The job would take approximately 6 – 9 months to complete, there would be zoning and parking issues regarding the project, as there was with the original expansion. Chuck Leonhardt next went over jail expansion project with revenues and expenses broke down, with a total increase expenses at approximately $501,012.31; the total available beds for the year would be 20,440. The Committee then reviewed the projected SEV based upon 3% annual increases; which would give the County a projected 2017 SEV of $1,270,344,961.94. With no increase to the millage, with an additional $1,733,500 borrowed to complete the 56 bed expansion, the maintenance fund balance is estimated to be $678,313.38, after both the original and the new debt payments have been made in full. The Committee then listened to comments from both the U.S. Marshall Services and the Department of Homeland Security regarding the current working relationships with Chippewa County, and the potential future relationship. Both entities commended the County for its professionalism, its ability to meet all deadlines, as well as, the continued use of the County Jail for holding inmates. The U.S. Marshall Services will add two new Marshall’s in the Upper Peninsula, which will also potentially increase their inmates’ numbers. Marshall Dyer also mentioned that he would refer; the Bureau of Prisoner’s if our inmate population was declining. Sheriff Moran discussed the County trends in crime with increases in drug/alcohol cases, breaking and entering and domestics, which has increased the local inmate population to 70-75 per day. The Commissioners and Sheriff thanked all who had attended the workshop.

Adjourn

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

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Kelly J. Beaune, Recorder Richard Timmer, Vice - Chairman