Approved 7/20/05

FINANCE

June 22, 2005

Minutes

 

 

Members Present:         Chris Swope, Curtis Hertel, Andy Schor, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Grebner

 

Members Absent:         Lisa Dedden and Marc Thomas

 

Others Present:             Jerry Ambrose, Bruce Bragg, John Jacobs, Anethia Brewer

 

The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairperson Swope at 6:04 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

 

Approval of the June 8, 2005 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE JUNE 8 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comms. Dedden and Thomas

 

Additions to the Agenda

4b.       Revised Environmental Fee Schedule

 

Limited Public Comment:          None

 

MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

 

2.         Sheriff’s Office – Resolution for the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office to Accept an Additional $54,948 from The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning for Traffic Safety

 

3.         911 Advisory Board

a.         Resolution Authorizing Contract with OSI International for New UHF Pagers for the Ingham County Public Safety Radio Communications System Project

b.         Resolution Authorizing an Amendment to the Contract with Able Concrete for the Public Safety Radio Communications System Communications Shelter Concrete Work

 

4a.       Health Department – Resolution to Authorize an Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding for the “Early On” Program

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comms. Dedden and Thomas

 

MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent:  Comms. Dedden and Thomas

 

4b.       Health Department – Resolution to Adjust the Health Department’s Fee Schedule

 

Mr. Bragg explained the Health Department (Department) operates a network of community health centers that have been granted Federally Qualified Health Center status.  As a result of this designation, the Department is required to pursue maximum payments for services from third party payers and persons with incomes above 20% of the Federal Poverty Level.

 

The Community Health Center Board has recommend that the charges for medical services be established at 135% of the published Medicare Fee Screen; and, that charges for dental services be established at 115% of the Delta Dental Fee Schedule for General Practitioners.

 

Comm. Hertel asked for clarification of the new information regarding the Environmental Health Fees.  Mr. Bragg stated the Human Services Committee discussed the issue of vending fees.  Some concerns were raised, and the necessary clarifications have been provided.  Comm. Hertel stated the new fee system is more consistent with actual charges.

 

The Committee held a general discussion regarding the proposed fees from the Department.  Mr. Bragg explained the current influenza vaccination charge is $20.00.  The proposed 05/06 rate is $25.00.  He also explained he researched the concerns from Chairperson Dedden regarding the goal percentages.  The proposed administration fee for all immunizations is $24.00.  The amount is set by Medicare.  The actual vaccine cost is $10.00.

 

Mr. Bragg explained the Health Department’s proposed fees are set in an effort to recover close to 100% of the cost of providing services.  Comm. Hertel stated some of the Department’s fees are based on the Maximus study recommendations.  Maximus’ recommendations did not come close to the realistic costs for some services. 

 

MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO ADJUST THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S FEE SCHEDULE.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comms. Dedden and Thomas

 

1.         55th District Court – Resolution Authorizing an Appropriation to the District Court for Visiting Judges Services for Assistance During the Appointment Process

 

Mr. Ambrose explained the appropriation would be made from the County’s General Fund.  The County would be reimbursed for this appropriation.  Ms. Brewer stated the Visiting Judge would be paid based on the actual days served. 

 

MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE DISTRICT COURT FOR VISITING JUDGES SERVICES FOR ASSISTANCE DURING THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comms. Dedden and Thomas

 

5.         Controller’s Office

            a.         911 Consolidation Efforts, General Principles of Consolidation

 

Mr. Ambrose updated the Committee regarding this matter.  He explained the Feasibility Study would determine if it makes sense to pursue the Consolidation efforts further.  Chairperson Grebner stated the Consolidation would involve two steps.  The first step involves the employees and the 911 operations; the second involves the legal authority under which the new system would operate.  Step two may be completed prior to the first step.  Taking responsibility for the 911 operations will not necessarily occur at the same time as when the 911 staff becomes Ingham County employees.  The two issues should be handled separately.

 

Comm. Dougan asked if the 911 Advisory Board approved the request for a feasibility study.  Mr. Ambrose stated the 911 Advisory Board did approve the request.  The study should be concluded in October.  Recommendations will be made to the governing boards in December 2005.  Action by the governing boards is expected in January 2006.

 

The Committee discussed this issue further.

 

b.         Resolution Authorizing an RFP and Contract for the 911 Center Consolidation Consultant Services and a Contract Amendment with MLJ Consulting, Inc.

 

MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN RFP AND A CONTRACT FOR THE 911 CENTER CONSOLIDATION CONSULTANT SERVICES AND A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH MLJ CONSULTING, INC.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comms. Dedden and Thomas.

 

c.         Budget Update

 

Mr. Ambrose stated the Budget Hearings have started.   The Hearing schedule is as follows:

County Service June 23, 2005

Human Service June 27, 2005

Judiciary                       June 28, 2005

 

Law Enforcement’s Hearing has already taken place.  The Controller’s Office continues to receive Community Agency funding requests.  Material was distributed to the Committee which outlines the Community Agency funding requests to date. 

 

Mr. Ambrose stated the Board of Commissioners has many issues to consider when developing the 2006 budget.  He distributed “5 Long-Term County Priorities” information to the Committee for their review.  This information included the Total Cost, General Fund Cost, and the Net General Fund Cost of each item, as well as if the items are statutory or discretionary budgetary matters. 

 

Mr. Ambrose encouraged the Commissioners to contact him if they have any questions or suggestions regarding the 2006 budget.

 

6.         Board Referrals

a.         Notice of Public Hearing from the City of East Lansing Regarding the Brownfield Plan Amendment #6 for the 2000 Merritt Road Redevelopment Project

b.         Resolution from St. Joseph County Supporting Amendments to the General Property Tax Act as Proposed by the Michigan Municipal League

 

The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.

 

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Debra Neff