FINANCE COMMITTEE

Laura Stanek, Chairman                               Larry Bargy                              Robert McLeod February 7, 2005

    Present:          Laura Stanek, Larry Bargy, Robert McLeod

     Absent:          None

 

Also present: Margaret VanLooy

 

The meeting came to order at 9:00 a.m. in the County Clerk's office.

 

Sheridan Rhoads of Antrim County Transportation presented information to the Board regarding FY99 Payback. The expenditures have been considerably more than the revenues.  Discussion followed as to possible solutions such as raising fees, lay-offs, and Medicaid & Medicare re-payments for patients using the bus system to help reduce the 05 expenditures. He will return to the Finance next month with a proposal. Mr. Rhoads also mentioned that he will need a Resolution regarding Act No. 51 of the Public acts of 1951 for 2006.

Mark Randolph appeared before the Board to discuss property (.4 acre) on Clam Lake that the County could acquire for Grass River to restore back to wetlands for use by the Airport. The cost to the County would be $3,100 but the land has been appraised at $25,000.

1.                          It was moved by McLeod and seconded by Bargy to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to approve the transfer of $3,100 from the Airport Grant Match Fund to Fund #195 to pay Grass River to purchase property to mitigate wetlands loss. All voted yes.

Robert Peterson appeared before the Board with an update on the Village of Elk Rapids Westside DDA for the approval to spend township DDA funds for phase one of the proposal - preliminary drainage investigation in the amount of $14,300. Discussion followed and Sherry Comben gave a report of recaptured funds. The County share of the funding is approximately 25%- 35%.

2.                             It was moved by McLeod and seconded by Stanek to recommend the Board approve payment of $14,300 from DDA funds for Preliminary Drainage Investigation for improvements to Loomis Drive and Lake Street areas. All voted yes.

 

Charlie Koop advised the Board that he was considering the purchase of 2 new computers for the Prosecuting Attorney department. He will appear at the next Finance meeting after doing research on computers that will be compatible with the Windows 98 program.

Bob Englebrecht appeared before the Board with a request for purchase of a digital camera, printer and paper shredder. The digital camera ($200) and the printer ($800) to be paid from Capital Outlay funds. The paper shredder ($1,275) would be paid from Homestead funds and would be used by the Equalization, County Treasurer and County Clerk offices. It would be located in the mailroom on the first floor of the County Building.

 

 

 

3.                                                        It was moved by Bargy and seconded by McLeod to recommend the Board approve payment of $1,000 from Capital Outlay (Equalization) for the purchase of a digital camera ($200) and a printer ($800) as budgeted in the 2005 General Fund budget.

 

 

 

4.                                                        It was moved by McLeod and seconded by Stanek that a paper shredder be purchased for the use of Equalization, County Treasurer and County Clerk for an amount of $1,275 to be paid from Fund #255.  All voted yes

 

 

 

Bob Englebrecht also discussed Summer Tax Collection with Board members. There was a concern of who should be paying the cost of billing, County, Township or both. It was decided that a review of this issue was needed. Bob Englebrecht and Laurie Stanek will meet and review the present billing procedure and also obtain input from the townships.

 

 

 

Carol Stocking –District Court Administrator appeared before the Board to discuss the 2005-2006 Ct Appointed Attorney Contract, a District Court Sound System and District Court copier now being leased from Dunns. No Capital Outlay was requested from District Court . It was decided that Carol should obtain other bids as she only had one bid from Ascom North for the sound system. She should supply them to the County Clerk. The hearing impaired equipment would be approximately $1,050 and could possibly be paid from their department. It was decided that no action would be taken at this time with the copier as the lease does not expire until October 2005.

 

 

 

5.                                                        It was moved by Stanek and seconded by Bargy to recommend to the. Board of Commissioners to approve the 2005-2006 District Court Appointed Attorney Contract. All voted yes.

 

 

 

Janet Person presented information to the Board regarding Parks brochures. They have purchased 300 for $110 from the Parks budget. The Household Hazard Waste Collection issue needs to be taken to the Committee of Public Works.

 

6.                                                   It was moved by McLeod and supported by Bargy to recommend the Board to approve payment of $250 from the Public Access Book Fund #237 for the cost of printing 15 books. All voted yes.

 

7.                                                   It was moved by McLeod and seconded by Bargy to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to re-submit the Wetzel Lake Grant in the amount of $50,200 with the County matching fund of $6,050 from Grant Match Fund #161. All voted yes.

 

 

 

8.                                                   It was moved by McLeod and seconded by Bargy to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to resubmit the Antrim Creek Natural Area Grant for $54,725 with the County matching fund of $8,700 from Antrim Creek Fund 234. All voted yes.

 

Terry Johnson appeared before the Board requesting a part-time employee for the Animal Control. This part-time employee would work 10 hours a week at a pay rate of $10 per hour with no benefits.  No department overtime would be necessary. He mentioned that volunteers were not always reliable to appear for work when needed.

 

9.                                                   It was moved by McLeod and seconded by Bargy to recommend the Board of Commissioners authorize adjustments for Animal Control -$3,000 Overtime, $500 Training and $1,700 Donation for the hiring of Heather Wilson as part-time employee working 10 hours per week @ $10 per hour. All voted yes.

 

Terry Johnson also advised the Board that he would be purchasing a State approved 4-wheel drive vehicle from Capital Outlay Funds ($44,900). Discussion included problems with a shortage of officers for the courtrooms. This matter should be taken to the Public Safety committee.

 

Peter Garwood appeared before the Board regarding $400 moving expenses for a new employee in the Coordinator Planner office.

 

10.                                                  It was moved by McLeod and seconded by Bargy that the Board of Commissioners authorize the advance payment of $400 for moving expenses of Elizabeth St. Pierre be paid from Contingencies Fund.  All voted yes. 

 

11.                                                  It was moved by McLeod and seconded by Bargy that the Board of Commissioners approve increasing the mileage rate to $0.38 per mile effective March 1, 2005. All voted yes.

 

12.                                              The claims and accounts totaling $63,186.38 were examined and recommended for payment.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.