Administration and County Services Committee
Michael Crawford			Robert McLeod, Chairman	Laura Stanek
August 10, 2005
Minutes
Members Present:		Bob McLeod, Laura Stanek and Mike Crawford
Members Absent:		None
Others Present:		Pete Garwood and Jack White
1.       Meeting called to order at 12:30 p.m.
2.       Public Comment
None.
3.       MERS Premier Health
Sue McNally, Representative for MERS Premier Health Insurance gave a presentation on their new health insurance product they are offering to municipalities.
4.       Construction Code Department
Clerk Position
Bob Massey, Director of the Construction Code Department came in and requested the part-time clerical position be made into a full-time position.  Mr. Massey presented a chart that compared permit fee schedules with surrounding counties.
Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the temporary part-time position in the Construction Code Department be made into a long term part-time position.  Motion carried – unanimous.
Permit Fees
The Committee reviewed the current financial situation (revenues vs. expenditures) for the Construction Code Department.  The Committee and Mr. Massey discussed the possibility of raising the fees based on the need to shore up revenues.  It appeared a slight raise in fees would not put Antrim County out of line with the other counties.
Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the charge of a $30 rough inspection fee on each project (effective immediately), and increase all permit fees by 5% on January 1, 2006.  Motion carried – unanimous.
5.       Veterans Affairs – Part-Time Clerk
Mr. Perkins, Veterans Counselor joined the meeting and requested the part-time clerk approved for his office for one month be extended for one additional month.
Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek to extend the employment of the temporary part-time clerical position in the Veterans Affairs office for one additional month (until September 8, 2005).  Motion carried – unanimous .
6.       Meadowview Apartments
Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford to approve Mr. Perkins as the temporary manager at the Meadowview Apartments until September 8, 2005.  Motion carried – unanimous.
7.       Housing Department Director Salary and Benefits
Peter Garwood, Coordinator/Planner explained that over the last few years the administration dollars allotted in the grants for the housing program have been used to pay the employee’s portion of the health benefits for the housing director.  Although this was cleared by the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority, our auditor advised the County it is not legal, as it amounts to giving one employee a better benefit than all the others.  The employee portion of the health benefits for the current plan Ms. Lowery subscribes to is approximately $540.
The Human Services Committee has referred the issue to this committee with the recommendation that a salary study of housing directors be completed and if Ms. Lowery is found to be well behind in salary that the County consider a larger catch up raise to help offset the required out-of-pocket payroll deduction.
The Committee reviewed the salary study completed last year.  It indicated that the Antrim County Housing Director is not well behind her counterparts in the other counties in Region 10.
The Committee recommends the Board of Commissioners indicate to the Housing Director that she must either begin to pay the payroll deduction for her current health benefit plan or choose a different plan.
8.       Commission on Aging (COA)
Carol Mitchell, COA Director joined the meeting.  Ms. Mitchell indicated the funding for the Activities Coordinator position has been cut by the State.  Ms. Mitchell requested the discontinuance of the full-time Activities Coordinator position and the creation of a part-time Events Coordinator position. This request was also recommended by the COA Board and the Human Services Committee.
Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford to recommend the Board of Commissioners discontinue the full-time Activities Coordinator position (due to lack of funding) and create a part-time Events Coordinator position.  Also, that if the COA hires Ms. Larsen for this position, Ms. Mitchell be authorized to pay her at the two year step ($9.59/ hour).  Motion carried – unanimous.
9.       Health Insurance Rate Increases
Patrick Dewey, Insurance Agent and Donna Ludwig, Blue Cross Blue Shield Representative joined the meeting.  Ms. Ludwig presented the method used to determine the rate increase for the County's premium for health insurance for the 2006 year. The County has moved the annual renewal date from January 1 to October 1.  The rate renewal for the 2006 year is 2.05%.
10.     Driving on Behalf of the County Discipline Policy
No new information to share at this time.
11.     Travel Policy
The Committee directed Mr. Garwood to prepare an amendment to the Travel Policy that would mandate employees ride together if they are driving to the same destination.
12.     Smoke Free Policy
Charles Koop, Legal Counsel is working on a draft policy to comply with the health department smoke free building ordinance.
13.     Various Matters
Computer and Communications Budgets
Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford to require the Bellaire Computer Center (as the new Information Technology Services provider) submit a budget request for the Computer Department fund and the Communications cost center for the 2006 budget cycle.  Motion carried – unanimous.
MERS Premier Health
The Committee discussed the presentation by Sue McNally, representative of MERS Premier Health.  The Committee was quite impressed with the possibilities the new health insurance option presents.  However, they also had the following concerns:
	The Premier Health family rate will result in a much greater payroll deduction for the employees than the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) family rate.
	Premier Health has been providing health insurance for municipalities for less than two months.
	The list of participating physicians in the surrounding market area is substantially less than BCBS.
Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek to recommend the Board of Commissioners not change to MERS Premier Health for the year 2006, but reconsider the option next year.  This recommendation is based on the following reasons:
	The Premier Health family rate will result in a much greater payroll deduction for the employees than the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) family rate.
	Premier Health has been providing health insurance for municipalities for less than two months.
	The list of participating physicians in the surrounding market area is substantially less than BCBS.
Motion carried – unanimous.
Mr. Garwood updated the Committee on various personnel matters.
The Committee discussed the lack of cooperation between the Register of Deeds office and the Abstract office.
Meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.