Approved 10/18/06
COUNTY SERVICES
BUDGET HEARINGS
September 12, 2006
Minutes
Members Present: Andy Schor, Debbie DeLeon, Dianne Holman, Dale Copedge and Don Vickers
Members Absent: Mike Severino
Others Present: Ed Dore, Jared Cypher, Teri Morton, Harold Hailey, Becky Bennett, Paula Johnson, Doug Stover, Janeil Valentine, Paul Kindel, Jon Coleman, Bob Moore, Rodney Taylor, Stacy Sheridan, Dallas Henney, Sue Pigg, Jack Restuccia, Jim Hudgins and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Schor at 7:05 p.m. in 5 Conference Room A of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Additions to the Agenda: None
Limited Public Comment: None
1. Budget Hearings
Ms. Johnston stated the Register of Deeds Office is happy with the Controller’s Recommended Budget. Mr. Stover stated the Treasurer’s Office is satisfied with the Controller’s Recommended Budget. The Purchasing Department, Human Resources, and MIS representatives indicated their support for the Controller’s Recommended Budget for their departments. The County Clerk stated his Office was thrilled with the Controller’s Recommended Budget. Mr. Bryanton stated he appreciates the budgeted funds for the computer system upgrade in 2007.
The Drain Office, Economic Development and the Controller’s Office also indicated their support of the Controller’s Recommended Budget. Ms. Johnson stated the Plat Board is satisfied with the Recommended Budget.
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO ACCEPT THE CONTROLLER’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS:
a. Advisory Boards
2. Capital Area Rail Council
3. Equal Opportunity Committee
4. Historical Commission
5. Environmental Affairs Committee
6. Women’s Commission
b. Board of Commissioners
c. Community Agency Appropriation
d. Controller
e. County Attorney
f. County Clerk
g. Drain Commissioner
h. Economic Development
i. Equalization
j. Facilities
k. Fair
m. Hotel/Motel
n. Human Resources
o. MIS
q. Purchasing
r. Register of Deeds
s. Treasurer
t. Tri-County Regional Planning
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Severino and Vickers
l. Financial Services
Mr. Restuccia stated a Service Enhancement Request was submitted to enhance the Insurance/Benefits staff within Financial Services. The enhancement requested a full-time position at TOPS Confidential Position Pay Grade 2.
Mr. Restuccia explained Financial Services would like to amend the request from a TOPS Confidential position to an accounting position. The cost of an accounting position at step 2 is $69,685. This is still within the range of the projected revenues from the Part D subsidies of $75,000 to $100,000.
Mr. Restuccia stated he has discussed this change with the Controller, the Budget Director and the Benefits and Insurance Administrator. These departments have supported this amendment.
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO AMEND THE CONTROLLER’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET TO REFLECT THE FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S CHANGE FROM REQUESTING A TOPS CONFIDENTIAL POSITION TO AN ACCOUNTING POSITION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Severino and Vickers
a. Advisory Boards
1. Agricultural Preservation Board
Comm. Holman explained the Agricultural Preservation Board is requesting funding for July through December. The consultant position was funded for the first half of 2007. Mr. Dore explained the Board authorized the position funding through the first half of the year because the Agricultural Preservation Board was going to revisit the millage issue.
p. Parks
Mr. Moore explained the Parks Department is requesting $60,000 in z funding for a “Spacenet” climb/play structure at Hawk Island County Park. Spacenet climbers are imaginative three-dimensional webs which provide an entirely new dimension in play for youth eight to twelve years of age. Currently, the play structures at Hawk Island are for younger children. The play structure would be installed by Park staff.
Comm. Copedge asked if the play structure would pose a choking hazard for youth at the Park. Mr. Moore stated the structure would not be accessible to small children. This structure has been in use for several years without any problems.
MOVED BY COMM. HOLMAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO PLACE THE TWO FOLLOWING ITEMS ON THE Z LIST:
AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION BOARD $19,000
PARKS BOARD – PLAY STRUCTURE 60,000
Ms. Morton informed the Committee that the Law Enforcement Committee has submitted a request for $68,000 in z list funding; the Human Services Committee has requested $148,000 in z list funding; and she anticipates at least two z list funding requests from the Judiciary Committee.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Severino and Vickers
2. Final Ranking
MOVED BY COMM. HOLMAN TO PLACE THE TWO Z ITEMS ON THE Z LIST IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER:
1. AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION BOARD
2. PARKS BOARD
MOTION DIED due to lack of support. Absent: Comms. Severino and Vickers
(Comm. Vickers arrived at 7:25 p.m.)
Comm. Holman ranked the items as 1) Agricultural Preservation Board; 2) Parks Board.
Comm. Copedge ranked the items as 1) Agricultural Preservation Board; 2) Parks Board.
Comm. DeLeon ranked the items as 1) Parks Board; 2) Agricultural Preservation Board.
Chairperson Schor ranked the items as 1) Parks Board; 2) Agricultural Preservation Board.
Comm. Vickers ranked the items as 1) Agricultural Preservation Board; 2) Parks Board.
MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO ACCEPT THE CONTROLLER’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
1. AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION BOARD
l. FINANCIAL SERVICES
p. PARKS
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO ACCEPT THE CONTROLLER’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR THE HOUSING COMMISSION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
Announcements
Comm. Vickers apologized to the Committee for being late this evening. An earlier meeting this evening ran longer than expected.
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff