FINANCE COMMITTEE

Laura Stanek, Chairman                                      Larry Bargy                              Robert McLeod

Monday, July 11, 2005

Present:              Laura Stanek, Larry Bargy, Robert McLeod

Also present:     Laura Sexton

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

Peter Garwood presented requests for equipment purchase from his regular budget.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy the Coordinator/Planner purchase a digital camera for not more than $349.00 from funds in the computer services line item. All voted yes.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy the Coordinator/Planner purchase a flat panel monitor for not more than $350.00 from funds in the computer services line item. All voted yes.

Laura Sexton, County Clerk presented 2006 budget requests for several cost centers. She prioritized her Capital Outlay request as follows: 1) laser printer for clerk's office in '05 Courthouse, 2) flat panel monitor for computer in clerk's office in '05 Courthouse, 3) desk chair.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy the 2006 budget request from the County Clerk be recommended to the Finance Committee with Capital Outlay as amended. All voted yes.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy the 2006 budget requests for Jury Commission, Budget/Accounting Services, Communications, Computer, Purchasing, Elections, Surveying and Remonumentation, Insurance & Bonds, Fringe Benefits, and Special Projects Cost Centers be recommended to the Finance Committee as amended. All voted yes.

Robert Englebrecht presented requests for the 2006 budget for Equalization, GIS, and Capital Outlay.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy the Equalization and GIS budgets with Capital Outlay be recommended to the Finance Committee. All voted yes.

Patty Niepoth presented requests for the 2006 budgets for Register of Deeds, Microfilm, Plat Board, Register of Deed Automation Fund, and Capital Outlay. The line item for equipment maintenance was reduced to $2,000.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy the Register of Deeds and Microfilm budget requests be recommended to the Finance Committee All voted yes.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy the Plat Board and Register of Deeds Automation Fund budget requests be recommended to the Finance Committee. All voted yes.

Charles Koop requested purchase of a copier for the 1905 Courthouse. There was discussion on a copier lease similar to that being used in the '78 building. The County Clerk will contact about a lease.

There was discussion on the agreement between the Register of Deeds and the Abstract Department regarding exclusive use by the Abstract Department of a computer containing the public information on deeds, etc. Mr. Koop reported the agreement was completed and ready for signatures.

There was discussion on the Board establishing a position on the matter of the continuation of prosecution of Arlen Turner after two jury trials resulting in a "hung" jury.

Peter Garwood reported on the county maps.

25,000 maps	$240.00/thousand	$6,015.00
50,000 maps	$203.17/thousand	$10,158.00

The county would pay half the cost and the road commission would pay the other half.

1.           It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy it be recommended to the Board of Commissioners that 50,000 county maps be printed at a cost to the county of $5,079 and the 2005 General Fund expenditure budget be increased by this amount. All voted yes.

Sherry Comben presented requests for the 2005 budget for County Treasurer, Homestead Fund, and Capital Outlay. She prioritized her Capital Outlay as follows: 1) 2 computers, 2) work station, 3) copier. She indicated the shredder could be purchased from the Homestead Fund.

There was discussion on possible overtime for a maintenance employee for the Saturday of the '05 Courthouse birthday celebration. It was decided this could be handled in the existing budget.

Sherry Comben requested purchase of a table top copier from the 2005 budget of the Homestead Exemption Fund.

2. It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy it be recommended to the Board the County Treasurer purchase a table top copier from the Homestead Exemption Fund ( Fund #255) at a cost not to exceed $1,009. All voted yes.

Sherry Comben presented the 2006 budget requests for the County Treasurer and the Homestead Fund.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy the County Treasurer, and Homestead Fund with Capital Outlay 2006 budget requests be recommended to the Finance Committee. All voted yes.

3.                       Sherry Comben presented proposed credit card policies. The matter will be presented to the Board of Commissioners for consideration at a later meeting.

4.                       Sherry Comben presented a proposed Tax Payment Fund policy. Consideration of this was deferred until later.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy the Probate Court obtain seven flat screen computer monitors from the State Judicial Technology Improvement Funds from the State of Michigan. All voted yes.

Carol Stocking, District Court Administrator, updated on the District Court handling of fines and costs from village and township ordinance and reported the distribution of the funds would be changed as dictated by statute. Mr. Koop concurred.

It was suggested the Finance Committee inquire about how much is collected from defendants for court appointed attorney fees.

5.                       It was moved by Bargy, seconded by McLeod it be recommended to the Board of Commissioners the Claims and Accounts totaling $119,951.85 be paid. All voted yes.

The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.