Approved 9/27/07
LAW ENFORCEMENT
September 6, 2007
Budget Hearing Minutes
Members Present: Dale Copedge, Todd Tennis, Victor Celentino, Debbie DeLeon, Dianne Holman, Randy Schafer and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Mary Sabaj, Tim Gill, Sgt. Perez, Stuart Dunnings, Jaime McAloon-Lampman, Steve Dougan, Gene Wriggelsworth, Alan Spyke, Sue LeDuc and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Copedge at 6:02 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Limited Public Comment: None
Additions to the Agenda
3. 911 Surcharge – Update
1. Budget Hearings
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE CONTROLLER’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS:
a. Tri-County Metro Narcotics Squad
f. Community Corrections
e. Emergency Operations
Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that when they approved the Controller’s Recommended Budgets they will also be approving the Capital Improvement Budgets for the various departments.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
d. Emergency Telephone – 911 Millage
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE CONTROLLER’ S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR THE EMERGENCY TELEPHONE – 911 MILLAGE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
g. Community Agency
Mr. Neilsen state the Controller’s Recommended Budget includes a 5% reduction from the 2007 budget for Community Agencies.
Comm. Schafer stated he will not vote in favor of this appropriation until he hears from the Sheriff’s Office and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office during the Budget Hearings.
MOTION CARRIED with Comms. Schafer and Holman voting NO.
h. Animal Control Shelter Advisory Board
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE CONTROLLER’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR THE ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER ADVISORY BOARD. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
i. Animal Control
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO APPROVE THE CONTROLLER’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR ANIMAL CONTROL
Ms. McAloon-Lampman stated her only concern with the Controller’s Recommended Budget is the loss of one Animal Control Officer. She stated her hope to have the Officer for the six-month peak season. The Department is already operating at a very low staff level.
Mr. Neilsen stated Ms. McAloon-Lampman has indicated an employee in her Department will retire in 2008 and that this position could be left open for three months. The Department could fund the Officer’s position for six months with Department revenue.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding this matter. The Committee then agreed the Animal Control Director and the Controller’s Office would work to develop a proposal to fund the Officer’s position for six months with increased revenues. This proposal will be presented at the Finance Committee Budget Hearing on September 26, 2007.
Comm. DeLeon stated Ms. McAloon-Lampman has done an excellent job with increasing enforcement and log licensing as well as taking care of the animal population at the Shelter.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Schafer voting NO.
b. Sheriff
MOVED BY COMM. CELENTINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE CONTROLLER’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Wriggelsworth stated his Office understands the need for budget cuts; however, every County Department should take part in the cuts. He then addressed the Committee regarding his Office’s efforts to recruit volunteer groups to help take up the slack so that Officers can perform their road patrol duties. The Office has recently merged its dive team with the City of Lansing in an effort to save money.
Mr. Spyke thanked the Controller’s Office and the Budget Office for their assistance during this budget process. Ms. Morton has been a tremendous help to him during this process. The Sheriff’s Office submitted a number of budget reduction scenarios to the Controller’s Office in May. Many of those scenarios were used to reach a 6.4% budget reduction.
Mr. Spyke stated the Sheriff’s Office is recommending changes in the Controller’s Recommended Budget. The Office has developed a plan which would save three of the four eliminated positions in the 2008 Budget. Mr. Spyke stated the Sheriff’s Office has proposed the following plan to offset the cost of the three positions:
Institute a 10 week hiring delay
Reduce the Vehicle budget by three unmarked cars and one patrol vehicle.
The above plan would result in a savings of $256,700. The three positions the Office would like to restore are: one sergeant ($90,082), one Deputy ($68,077) and one Detective ($90,082). The total cost of the three positions is $248,241.
Mr. Myers stated the Controller’s Office would be comfortable with an eight week hiring delay. Going beyond that time would lead to more overtime costs. He further stated the Sheriff’s Office budget for its vehicles has already been reduced by approximately $70,000 in the 2008 budget. Additional money would be needed in 2009 for new vehicles and delaying the purchases will mean more repair costs.
Mr. Spyke stated the current vehicle fleet is in good shape; therefore, the Sheriff’s Office can afford to delay purchasing new vehicles in 2008. He clarified this will be a one time delay. The full vehicle budget would be needed in 2009.
The Committee discussed the Sheriff’s Office proposal. Comm. DeLeon indicated 2009 may be a worse financial year for the County than 2008. Mr. Spyke stated the Sheriff’s Office will deal with the 2009 budget later. Comm. Celentino asked if the two week hiring delay will mean a large savings. Mr. Myers stated every two week hiring delay increment saves the County $88,000.
Comm. DeLeon stated the County is not statutorily mandated to provide road patrol services. She asked if the County received cooperation from some townships regarding the provision of road patrol services, how that would help with the cost of the three positions. Mr. Wriggelsworth stated any contracts the County receives, similar to the contract with Delhi Township, would not take effect before 2009 or 2010.
Comm. Holman stated she could support the Sheriff’s Office proposal if it is approved by the Controller’s Office.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO APPROVE THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE PROPOSAL TO FUND THREE POSITIONS: A 10 WEEK HIRING DELAY AND A REDUCTION IN THE VEHICLE BUDGET BY THREE UNMARKED CARS AND ONE PATROL VEHICLE.
Comm. Schafer stated all County residents pay toward a millage for public safety services. Townships should not be denied public safety services if they cannot afford to pay for the services.
Chairperson Thomas asked if there is a way to estimate the overtime costs which may result from the Sheriff’s Office proposal. Ms. Morton stated the Sheriff’s Office budget includes overtime costs; however, the costs are normally balanced through salary attrition. Mr. Myers stated he believes a 10 week hiring delay will result in increased overtime hours.
Comm. Tennis stated he appreciated the Sheriff’s Office’s efforts to address its budget concerns. He then asked if there is a way to make up the $88,000 difference between the eight and ten week hiring delay. Mr. Wriggelsworth stated he could possibly find funds within another budget to cover the difference.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
c. Prosecuting Attorney
Mr. Dunnings provided a power-point presentation to the Committee regarding the Prosecuting Attorney’s Service Enhancement Request. A hard copy of the presentation was distributed to the Committee and is on file in the Board Office.
Mr. Dunnings explained his Office has been operating with one less attorney for approximately one month. The Office has lost a number of attorneys. It would be ideal to have one attorney assigned to each Judge. That is impossible at this time due to the decreased staff level.
Ms. LeDuc addressed the Committee regarding the increased case load in the appeals division of the Prosecutor’s Office. She also explained how new legislation has increased the Office’s case load.
Mr. Dunnings stated he requested two new attorneys in the 2008 budget process. He then stated his goal remains to reduce the time it takes to resolve cases. The Office does generate a lot of revenue even though it is not reflected in its own line item within the budget. Mr. Dunnings stated his Office needs additional attorneys to meet its constitutionally mandated responsibilities.
Mr. Neilsen stated the Controller’s Recommended Budget eliminated one Assistant Prosecuting Attorney (APA) position. Mr. Dunnings has requested two APA’s. Chairperson Copedge stated he understands the need for additional Prosecutors.
Mr. Dunnings suggested the Committee approve his request for two additional Prosecutors and then determine in two or three years if the positions have an impact on jail overcrowding.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE CONTROLLER’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO RESTORE ONE ASSISTANT PROSECUTING ATTORNEY POSITION AND FUND ONE NEW ASSISTANT PROSECUTING ATTORNEY POSITION. THE POSITIONS ARE TO BE PLACED ON THE Z LIST.
Comm. Tennis stated he understands the need for additional Prosecutors; however, he is also concerned that the need has existed for several years. Comm. Tennis then stated he would strongly support the request for additional positions if there is a way to fund the positions. Comm. DeLeon stated the Prosecutor has done an excellent job at maximizing his resources. Chairperson Copedge stated the Committee agrees with that statement.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairperson Copedge thanked the Prosecutor’s and Sheriff’s Offices for meeting to discuss the CATS program. Other issues discussed at that meeting may also help ease the overcrowding problems at the jail.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO PLACE $68,000 ON THE Z LIST TO RESTORE TWO DEPUTY POSITIONS IN THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE. MOTION FAILED with Comms. Schafer and Holman voting YES.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO PLACE $68,000 ON THE Z LIST FOR THE RESTORATION OF ONE DEPUTY POSITION IN THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE. MOTION CARRIED with Comms. DeLeon and Tennis voting NO.
2. Final Ranking
The Committee ranked the items in the following order:
1. Restoration of one Assistant Prosecuting Attorney $ 69,000
2. New Request for an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney 66,916
3. Restoration of One Deputy Position 68,000
Total: $203,916
3. 911 Surcharge – Update
Mr. Neilsen stated it does not appear the State will pass the cell phone surcharge bills. The County has until September 17, 2007 to provide its information to the State. He further stated he would draft the necessary information and forward it to the State if that is the wish of the Committee.
MOTION TO SEND PAPERWORK TO THE STATE TO ESTABLISH THE COUNTY’S 911 SURCHARGE RATE FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES TO RAISE THE SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUE AS IS IN THE 2008 CONTROLLER’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff