FINANCE COMMITTEE

Laura Stanek, Chairman                                   Larry Bargy                            Robert McLeod

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

            The Finance Committee came to order at 9:00 a.m.

Present:  Laura Stanek, Larry Bargy, Robert McLeod

Absent:  Absent

Also present:  Laura Sexton

            Joe Allen and Deborah Peters from the Veterans Affairs Department requested payment of expenses to George Ouvry for research of the local cemeteries for veterans.  He has identified veterans and placed markers in the Mancelona Cemetery and part of the Star Township Cemetery and has been requested to research other county cemeteries.  The Committee suggested that townships and villages that have cemeteries be contacted to contribute funds also.

            It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy that $200 in the 2006 Veterans Counselor budget be committed to payment of George Ouvry’s expenses for cemetery/veterans research.  All voted yes.

            Steve Groll presented information on the Communications and Computer budgets.

228 – Computer

            805.001 – represents a 3% increase

            805.025 – decrease by $500

            805.165, 805.215, 805.262 – current rate plus 3%

            805.253 and 805.257 – current rate plus 3%

            805.265, 805.268, 805.277 – incidental services for these departments

            805.301 – Sheriff software maintenance

            There was considerable discussion on developing a cooperative relationship among departments to facilitate sharing of computer information (aka play-nice-together concept) particularly in establishment of  Sheriff/Prosecuting Attorney/Courts computer compatibility.

            Mr. Groll also requested shelving in the area reserved for storing “old” computer equipment.  It was decided he could purchase shelving to be paid for from the 2006 Purchasing Department budget.

            Mr. Groll also presented information on firewall and security enhancements.  As a result the 2007 computer budget line item #802 was increased by $8,000 to $10,000.

Mr. Groll informed that the RFP for technology plan could result in expenditure of as much as $418,000 which should be budgeted over five years.  Line item #802.228 in Cost Center #228 was added at $90,000.

            Construction Code Enforcement Fund – expenditure exceed revenue – decided to return to this in October.

            E-911 – it was decided to take the balance of expenditures over revenues from the existing fund balance.

            Meadowview Apartments – information was provided that Meadowview still owes the General Fund $428,709 from past construction costs and debt payments.  It was also noted that the current construction expenses should probably be added to the debt.  There was discussion on forgiving the total debt.  The matter was tabled.

            The debt payment of $5,000 was removed from the proposed 2007 Meadowview budget.

Sheriff Department budget   101-301

            Add the additional part time court officer

            Decrease account #864 by $10,000

            Decrease account #805 to   -00-

            It was decided to request the Parks Committee to again try to make arrangement to transfer management of the Day Park at Elk Rapids to Elk Rapids Village or Elk Rapids Township.

Capital Outlay

            Reduce 980.132 to $1,430

            Reduce 980.253 to   2,000

            Reduce 980.268 to    -0-    (can be paid from Tech Fund)

            Reduce 980.301 to 17,567

            Reduce 980.430 to    8,537

            Reduce 980.721 to   3,300

Appropriations

            Reduce 956.277 to $96,000

Revenue

            Reduce 452.001 to $90,000

            It was decided to return to the Construction Code Enforcement and Parks budgets in October when a better picture of  revenue/expenditures can be obtained.

            The meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.