Approved 10/20/04
FINANCE
September 29, 2004
Minutes
Members Present: Calvin Lynch, Mark Grebner, Debbie DeLeon, Marc Thomas, Tom Minter and Board Chairperson Celentino
Members Absent: Lisa Dedden
Others Present: Jerry Ambrose, John Neilsen, Teri Younger, Jared Cypher, Gene Wriggelsworth, Bob Moore, Matt Myers, Judge Collette, David Easterday, Nervy Oliver, Bruce Bragg, Val Drought, Don Reisig, Doug Williams and Anna Macielinski
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Lynch at 6:10 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Additions to the Agenda
Probate Court – Technical Adjustment – Increase the capital budget $5,250 for five computer replacements. These were inadvertently left out of the Controller’s Recommended Budget
Cooperative Extension – Reduce the capital budget by $1,056. Replacement of color network printer was budgeted in 2005. However, the printer needed to be replaced sooner than expected. The replacement has been charged to the 2004 budget.
Limited Public Comment
Mr. Wriggelsworth commended Mr. Ambrose and his staff for streamlining the budget process this year.
Mr. Reisig commended Mr. Ambrose and the Board for their efforts on the 2005 budget. This commendation was made from a personal viewpoint.
1. Overview of Liaison Committee Recommendations
2. Review and Action on County Services Committee Recommendations
3. Review and Action on Human Services Committee Recommendations
4. Review and Action on Judiciary Committee Recommendations
5. Review and Action on Law Enforcement Committee Recommendations
7. Adoption of the Finance Recommended Budget
MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE CONTROLLER’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET, INCLUDING THE TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE LIAISON COMMITTEES. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Dedden
6. Action to Incorporate Strategic Planning Initiative Funds into the Recommended Budget
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. MINTER, TO PLACE $6,000 ON THE Z LIST FOR ADULT GUARDIANSHIPS, FOR CONSIDERATION BY THIS COMMITTEE.
Mr. Williams, FIA Director, requested an additional $6,000 in funding to support Adult Guardianships for people who suffer from physical and/or mental difficulties. He explained the State had paid these fees in the past. Also, the FIA has seen a steady increase in Adult Guardianship cases over the past few years. However, the FIA has also experienced a decrease in funding from the State for the Guardianships. The FIA does not have sufficient funding to accommodate these services.
The FIA has requested additional funding from the State. To date, approximately $4,500 in additional funding has been approved by the State. The Committee discussed this matter.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Lynch voting NO. Absent: Comm. Dedden
Lead Task Force –
MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO PLACE $20,000 ON THE Z LIST FOR THE LEAD TASK FORCE.
Mr. Bragg stated the Human Services Committee requested the $20,000 in funding so that it would be available to the Lead Task Force. Currently, there are no plans to use the funding. Also, the money would not be spent by the Task Force without the approval of the Human Services Committee.
Comm. Grebner asked if the Health Department’s budget includes funding for lead issues. Mr. Bragg stated the $20,000 would be in addition to the Department’s available funding for lead purposes. Mr. Bragg further stated he would be very surprised if the requested funding would be used for water testing. The funds may possibly be used for remediation and educational purposes.
Comm. Thomas asked if Human Services discussed what the money would be used for by the Task Force. Mr. Bragg stated that Committee did not hold such a discussion. Comm. Minter expressed his concern regarding the process of budgeting funds for non-specific purposes. He stated he would not feel comfortable supporting the funding request at this time.
Chairperson Celentino stated the Human Services Committee wanted funds to be available to the Task Force. Expenditure of those funds would be contingent on the approval of the Human Services Committee. That Committee did not discuss a specific plan for how the funds would be used. Comm. Thomas stated he could support the request if it included an “up to” amount and that the funding would proceed through the normal Board process. Chairperson Lynch stated the funding could be taken from the 2005 Contingency Fund when a need has been identified by the Task Force.
MOTION FAILED. Absent: Comm. Dedden
Probate Court –
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO PLACE $25,000 ON THE Z LIST FOR PROBATE COURT FOR A PART-TIME DEPUTY PROBATE REGISTER III.
Mr. Strander thanked Mr. Ambrose, Mr. Neilsen and Ms. Younger for their assistance during the 2005 Budget process. He then explained the Probate Court’s request to restore the deputy probate register position. The request has been made due to the huge increase in the Court’s case load during the past three to four years. This increase results in an increase in the amount of time needed to process the cases. Mr. Strander detailed how the increase in process time effects cases.
Mr. Strander stated the Court had a three-quarter time deputy probate register position until 2002 when it was eliminated. The Judiciary Committee has recommended a half-time position for the 2005 budget. Mr. Strander explained the differences between a one-half and a three-quarter time position. Someone working 30 hours would be available for to receive the mail and training would be completed faster with the three-quarter time position.
In response to Chairperson Lynch, Mr. Strander stated the Court has done everything possible to increase the fees coming into the County’s General Fund.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Dedden
Circuit Court –
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. MINTER, TO PLACE $25,000 ON THE Z L IST FOR TEMPORARY SALARIES FOR THE CIRCUIT COURT.
Judge Collette addressed the issue of two, three-quarter time temporary positions. He explained the temporary Deputy Probate Registers (Registers) primarily transport and reorganize huge volumes of paperwork.
In the past, the Court has used excess funds within its budget to help fund these positions. Currently, the County’s hiring freeze does not allow departments to use excess funds in this manner. The Court’s funding of these positions will end in March 2005. An additional $25,000 will be needed to fund the positions through the end of 2005.
Judge Collette stated the Court would appreciate this Committee’s assistance with this matter.
Comm. Grebner stated the hiring delay was not intended to effect the Circuit Court. He explained the Court has been using temporary employees since they do not receive benefits. This saves the County money.
Mr. Ambrose stated the Committee could place the requested funds into the temporary salaries line item to resolve this issue.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Lynch voting NO. Absent: Comm. Dedden
(The Committee paused from 7:00 p.m. until 7:08 p.m. for purposes of ranking the funding requests.)
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
PROBATE COURT $25,000
FIA 6,133
CIRCUIT COURT 25,000
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Dedden
The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the un-appropriated funds.
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO REDUCE THE 2005 GENERAL FUND BUDGET BY $243,867. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Dedden
Comm. Thomas expressed his concern that the motion should specifically identify which budget would be reduced in the 2005 General Fund Budget.
Public Comment
Mr. Myers thanked Mr. Ambrose, Mr. Neilsen and staff for their assistance during the 2005 budget process. He further stated the Sheriff’s Office is tickled with the Controller’s Recommended Budget.
Announcements: None
The meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff