Administration and County Services Committee
Michael Crawford		Robert McLeod, Chairman	Laura Stanek
August 31, 2006
Minutes
Members Present:	Laura Stanek, Mike Crawford and Bob McLeod
Members Absent:	None
Others Present:	Pete Garwood and Jack White
1.       Meeting called to order at 12:32 p.m.
2.       Public Comment          None.
3.       ACNA Commission Appointment
The County received one Interest Notification Form, from Jake Veenstra, for the Antrim Creek Natural Area Commission vacancy.
Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek, to recommend the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners appoint Jake Veenstra to the Antrim Creek Natural Area Commission.  Motion carried – unanimous.
4.       Sheriff Grievance
The Committee reviewed the information from the grievance hearing on grievance 06-234, termination of employment, Trish Pratt.  The Committee heard the report on information/verification of statements made by the Union on behalf of Ms. Pratt.
Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, based on the information provided the Committee was not persuaded the Sheriff made the wrong decision regarding the employment termination of Trish Pratt.  Motion carried - unanimous.
Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek, to approve authorizing labor counsel to seek a subpoena and also authorize the payment of $150 to obtain the Verizon phone records for the appropriate department.  Motion carried – unanimous.
5.       911 Dispatcher Vacancy
Dan Bean, Undersheriff, informed the Committee that a dispatcher recently resigned.
Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve releasing the funds and authorize the Sheriff to fill the vacant dispatcher position.  Motion carried – unanimous.
6.       VSP Options
Peter Garwood, Coordinator/Planner, informed the Committee that Patrick Dewey, Insurance Agent, presented us with two other (lower cost) options for optical insurance through VSP.  The Coordinator/Planner Office surveyed all employees currently enrolled in the VSP optical insurance to find out which of the plans the majority would like to have.  The survey results are as follows:
VSP II (current plan)           3 votes
VSP III                            1 vote
VSP IV                             7 votes
Mr. Garwood also presented amended language to add to the VSP plan that would reflect the current practice.  Lastly, Mr. Garwood indicated that action needs to be taken to change the annual enrollment date to October 1 from January 1.
Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve switching to the VSP IV plan; changing the annual enrollment date to October 1 and adopting the additional language into the VSP plan.  Motion carried – unanimous.
7.       Delta Dental
Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve changing the annual enrollment date from January 1 to October 1 for all Delta Dental plans.
8.       Tax Reverted Property
At the August 10, 2006 Board of Commissioners meeting, the Chairman referred the issue of how the County should handle requests for the Board of Commissioners to purchase an individuals property and sell it back to that individual just prior to it being sold at the tax sale.  The Committee acknowledged a communication from the Treasurer on the issue.  The issue was tabled until the next Administration and County Services Committee meeting.
9.       Coordinator/Planner Personnel Issue
Peter Garwood, Coordinator/Planner, presented additional information to support the request for a stipend for Valerie Craft, the Secretary in the Coordinator/Planner Office, for management of the website and other technology services she provides.  The Committee discussed the issue extensively.
Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve a $1,000 annual stipend for Valerie Craft for the her work as the web site manager and for the provision of technological services.  If at some time in the future the provision of these duties are assigned to a different department or contracted out the stipend will be eliminated.  Motion carried – unanimous.
10.     Representatives of the Unrepresented
Theresa Kent and Julie Gorno joined the meeting as representatives of the unrepresented group employees.  Ms. Gorno and Ms. Kent requested a copy of the wage and benefit survey.  They also mentioned that health benefits are a big issue with the group.  They indicated they will be able to put a proposal together once they receive the wage and benefit survey.
11.     Health Insurance
Pat Dewey and Darci Fitch, from Dewey Insurance Agency, joined the meeting and presented illustration premium rates for Priority Health Insurance.
12.     Commissioner Health Insurance
The Committee discussed what adjustments should be made to the cap the County pays for insurance benefits for the Commissioners.
Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve a policy that no Commissioner shall pay a monthly health insurance cost share (payroll deduction) that exceeds their monthly salary.  This will apply only if the Commissioner is taking the lowest cost health insurance option.  Motion carried – unanimous.
13.     Commissioner Mileage Reimbursement
Jack White, Chairman, shared with the Committee that he had attended a workshop at the Michigan Association of Counties Conference.  Through the workshop he learned that if Commissioners are paid mileage to and from the County Building from their home they must get taxed on it.
Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners instruct the Clerk to cease paying mileage to the Commissioners for trips to and from the County Building.  Motion carried – unanimous.
Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek, to recommend the Board of Commissioners increase the per diem for County Commissioners only, to $55 for a 1/2 day and $75 for a full day.  Motion carried – unanimous.
14.     Labor Negotiations
The Committee went into closed session at 2:25 p.m.
The Committee returned from closed session at 2:50 p.m.
Meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.