Amended 3/03/04
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Members Present: Calvin Lynch, Mark Grebner, Lisa Dedden, Debbie DeLeon, Marc Thomas and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: Thomas Minter
Others Present: Jerry Ambrose and Doug Stover
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Lynch at 6:06 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 4, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 4 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. DeLeon and Minter
Additions to the Agenda
5d. Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau - Discussion
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. DeLeon and Minter
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent Comms. DeLeon and Minter
a. Resolution to Authorize Circuit Court, Family Division to Enter into a Contract with Highfields, Inc. for the StART Program
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE CIRCUIT COURT, FAMILY DIVISION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH HIGHFIELDS, INC. FOR THE START PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent Comms. DeLeon and Minter
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH HIGHFIELDS, INC. FOR THE FAMILY INTERVENTION RESIDENTIAL SERVICE TEAM PROGRAM.
Mr. Ambrose informed the Committee of an error in the Staff Review Sheet under the section of Financial Implications. The Child Care Fund amount should be $140,000. Mr. Ambrose also stated this program will replace the YAP program.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent Comms. DeLeon and Minter
MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE 2004 REGIONAL PURSUIT DRIVING GRANT.
Mr. Ambrose explained the purpose of the grant is to provide training to improve driving skills and to reduce risk. He stated he is quite sure the Sheriff's Office has a policy regarding high-speed car pursuits. Comm. Thomas stated he would like more information regarding this policy prior to the next Board meeting.
(Comm. DeLeon arrived at 6:14 p.m.)
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Minter
4c. Equalization - Resolution to Amend the Ingham County Monumentation and Remonumentation Project Resolution to Amend the 2003 Apportionment Report
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE INGHAM COUNTY MONUMENTATION AND REMONUMENTATION PROJECT RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE 2003 APPORTIONMENT REPORT.
Mr. Stover explained that the Report in the agenda was not signed or notarized. He distributed copies of the signed Report to the Committee. A copy of this Report will also be provided to the Board Office.
Comm. Thomas questioned Mr. Stover regarding the error to the non-homestead millage rate in Lansing Charter Township and the City of Lansing. Mr. Stover explained that his Office made the mistake and it also caught the mistake. This error did not cause any problems outside of the Office.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Minter
2d. Resolution Authorizing a Contract with Justice Benefits, Inc. To Secure Federal Entitlement Benefits for Ingham County Based on the Ingham County Correctional Facility Operations
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH JUSTICE BENEFITS, INC. TO SECURE FEDERAL ENTITLEMENT BENEFITS FOR INGHAM COUNTY BASED ON THE INGHAM COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY OPERATIONS.
Comm. Dedden distributed an article to the Committee (dated 11/03) regarding concerns relating to Justice Benefits, Inc. contracts (JBI). The article addressed audit concerns and the 22% fee. Mr. Ambrose stated the Sheriff's Office indicated at the previous Law Enforcement meeting that the Office netted approximately $35,000 on this contract. The Office does not conduct this service because it is a specialized service.
Mr. Ambrose stated a copy of the article will be forwarded to the Sheriff's Office with a request for a response to this Committee. Comm. Dedden stated she would not feel comfortable voting on this Resolution until the concerns have been addressed.
MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO TABLE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH JUSTICE BENEFITS, INC. TO SECURE FEDERAL ENTITLEMENT BENEFITS FOR INGHAM COUNTY BASED ON THE INGHAM COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY OPERATIONS UNTIL THE NEXT FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Minter
Chairperson Lynch stated he would speak with the Law Enforcement Chair regarding this item.
Mr. Ambrose stated the Law Enforcement Committee requested this information. A comparison was conducted of the costs of contracts for the Community Corrections Staff Consultant and the IJIS Coordinator with the costs of comparable County Comparisons. The comparison is outlined in his February 10, 2004 memorandum to this Committee.
Basically, the current contract for the Community Corrections position pays $28.07 per hour for 1,896 hours. The contract authorizes up to $53,221 per year. The County only pays for the hours worked. Human Resources has determined that if this were a County position, it would be a P-7 in the ICEA bargaining unit. On an hourly basis, the employee would be paid $20.66 to $24.81 per hour. Including fringe benefits, the total cost to the County would range from $63,168 - $75,618.
The decision to contract for the IJIS Coordinator position resulted from an inability to find suitable applicants at the time (1996) and because it was anticipated that need for the position would not be permanent. The current contract arrangement is for $63,732. This is based on an hourly rate of $60.80 per hour for 1,040 hours. The County pays only for hours worked. The hourly contract amount has not changed since 1998.
Human Resources has determined this position would be a P-9 in the ICEA bargaining unit. On a half-time basis, the current salary range for the position would be $25,637 to $30,776, or $24.65 to $28.07 per hour. The total County costs, including fringe benefits, for a half-time employee, would range from $37,717 to $43,960. Because of paid holidays and vacation time, a half-time employee would only work 948 hours. Therefore, the County's cost would be $39.78 to $46.37 on an hourly basis.
Mr. Ambrose further explained there are circumstances where it is necessary or desirable to contract for employees. Sometimes this is the only way to secure individuals with the desired set of skills. It may also be appropriate where the duration of the need for the individual may be uncertain. In this situation, a contract approach may give the County more flexibility in discontinuing the services being provided.
It may be appropriate to develop guidelines concerning the use of individuals whose services are contracted for through third party employment agencies in order to assure that there is no conflict with County labor agreements. Mr. Ambrose stated the Law Enforcement Committee suggested that a policy be drafted to address this type of contractual arrangement in the future. The policy is to be a decision-making tool, not a formal policy.
Chairperson Lynch suggested that this information be provided to the Law Enforcement and Judiciary Committees.
Mr. Ambrose stated the agenda packet contains a copy of a presentation made recently to the Michigan Association of Counties regarding alternative revenue sources for county governments. With the State facing a $1.2 million budget shortfall, the $184 million appropriated for county revenue sharing is a likely target for further reduction.
Mr. Ambrose reviewed the information contained in the presentation material. After this review, Mr. Ambrose asked that Commissioners forward any ideas on this issue to his office. He also stated MAC is not pleased with the Governor's proposal. The Committee held a lengthy discussion regarding this item.
Mr. Ambrose informed the Committee that the 2004 budget is on track at this time. However, the Contingency Fund has been reduced by 61%. He reviewed the good, the bad and the optimist's projections for the County's 2005 budget. This information was contained in the information for agenda item 5b.
The Committee discussed this item at length. After this discussion, the Committee consented that all options pertaining to the budget be placed on the table for discussion. Mr. Ambrose stated these discussions will continue during the year.
Comm. DeLeon expressed her concern that the Bureau's directory was printed in Illinois. She believes this document should be printed in this State and within the County if possible. Mr. Ambrose stated he will make sure the new Executive Director of the Bureau is advised of this concern.
Comm. Grebner stated he does not have concerns that the directory was printed out of state. Comm. Thomas thought the Bureau's directory could be printed within this County.
Chairperson Lynch stated this matter will be communicated to the Lansing Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
Announcements
Chairperson Lynch stated the Community Agency Advisory Committee will meet after tonight's meeting at approximately 7:15 p.m.
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff