Approved 11/2/05
FINANCE
October 19, 2005
Minutes
Members Present: Lisa Dedden, Curtis Hertel, Andy Schor, Marc Thomas, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Grebner
Members Absent: Chris Swope
Others Present: Jerry Ambrose, Teri Younger and Eric Schertzing
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Dedden at 6:07 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the October 5, 2005 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 5 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Swope
Additions to the Agenda
2. Resolution Amended by the County Services Committee
6. Resolution Amended by the County Services Committee
7. Resolution Tabled by the County Services Committee
8a. Letter of Recommendation
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
1. 55th District Court
a. Resolution to Authorize Entering into a Contract with the State of Michigan, Office of Drug Control Policy for the U.S. Department of Justice Byrne Memorial Grant for the 55th District Court/Drug Court
b. Resolution to Authorize Entering into a Contract with the State of Michigan, Michigan Supreme Court, State Court Administrative Court Office for the 55th District Court/Drug Court
2. Register of Deeds – Resolution Opposing House Bill 5124 (as amended by County Services)
4. County Treasurer – Discussion Item – Resolution Authorizing Additional Funding for the Temporary Foreclosure Prevention Assistant
5. Health Department
b. Resolution to Adjust the Status of a Position
c. Resolution to Authorize a Refugee Assistance Program Contract with the Michigan Department of Human Services
d. Resolution to Authorize a Year Three Medical Reserve Corps Grant and Subcontract
e. Resolution to Amend the FY 2004-2005 4C Agreement with the State of Michigan Department of Human Services to Extend the Agreement through the First Quarter of FY 2005-2006
6. MSU Cooperative Extension – Resolution to Increase the Ingham County Youth Commission Coordinator Wage (as amended by County Services)
8a. Controller’s Office – Resolution Supporting the Acceptance of the CEDS Update to the Annual Review Report for 2005
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Swope
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Swope
1c. 55th District Court – Resolution Authorizing Funding for a Work Station for 55th District Court
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FUNDING FOR A WORK STATION FOR 55TH DISTRICT COURT.
Comm. Schor expressed his concern that the Judge wants to use the unspent furniture allocation for a work station. This request should have been included in the budget process. Chairperson Grebner stated approving this request would show flexibility on the part of the Board. The Court did come back to request the work station furniture. The original $10,000 amount was approved by the Purchasing Department with the assumption that an entire Judge’s office would be outfitted with new furniture. Chairperson Grebner stated the Judge under-spent his furniture allocation. The Committee should determine if it wants to approve a reasonable request or to manage the bench.
Comm. Schor stated he does not wish to manage the bench. He understands the position of the Court. However, the allocated funds were for office furniture, not a work station. Approving this request could set a standard that would be followed by other departments. Comm. Schor stated he supports Judge Boyd; but, this request is outside the normal budget process.
Comm. Dougan stated he normally prefers that requests follow normal Board policy. He then explained that he heard Judge Acquilina address the Judiciary Committee last week regarding her continued efforts to increase revenues. Comm. Dougan then stated he trusts the accuracy of what Judge Acquilina has stated. This is a reasonable extension of the use of the allocated funds.
Comm. Thomas stated there seems to be a different aura of reasonableness in regard to the Court. This current request came up outside of the budget process due to the many changes the Court is experiencing.
Mr. Ambrose explained, from a staff perspective, that this is a reasonable request. The Court is doing everything possible to maximize its revenues. Mr. Ambrose stated he might suggest that other departments follow the normal budget process.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Schor voting NO. Absent: Comm. Swope
4. County Treasurer – Discussion Item – Resolution Authorizing Additional Funding for the Temporary Foreclosure Prevention Assistant
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Ambrose stated the Resolution was approved by the County Services Committee. Mr. Schertzing would like to address this Committee about a separate request for additional staff in 2006. (This request will be made at a later date.)
3. Sheriff’s Office – Ingham County Sheriff’s Office Bed Rental Agreement with Oakland County
Mr. Ambrose explained that staff would present a formal analysis of this issue and present a recommendation as to how to deal with the loss of the Oakland County contract. The Jail is not experiencing a statutory over-crowding situation at this time. As this issue moves forward, staff may recommend that a post at the Jail be closed. The Committee discussed this issue.
Chairperson Dedden stated she received an email from Mr. Myers regarding the possibility of obtaining a contract for housing people from the INS. Mr. Ambrose stated the INS contracts with counties to house illegal immigrants. Chairperson Dedden stated Mr. Myers will update this Committee on his efforts to obtain new contracts at this Committee’s next meeting.
Comm. Thomas asked if the Jail Utilization Committee regularly reviews the appropriateness of having 472 beds at the County Jail. Mr. Ambrose the JUC reviews this issue a few times each year. It is clear that over-crowding is a concern across the State.
5a. Health Department – Resolution to Authorize a 2005-2006 Federal Abstinence Grant Program
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A 2005-2006 FEDERAL ABSTINENCE GRANT PROGRAM.
Comm. Schor asked what schools are involved with the Program and what the Program provides the students at those schools. Mr. Ambrose stated he thought Mr. Bragg would be present this evening. Since he is not, Mr. Ambrose stated he would obtain that information prior to the next Board meeting.
Comm. Thomas asked if the Health Department was providing any other abstinence programs to the community. Chairperson Dedden stated she has been surprised over the years to see the types of programs the Department provides which are related to abstinence. Comm. Hertel stated the Department only provides health related information; it does not deal with morality issues. Chairperson Dedden stated the Health Department makes good use of its resources.
(Note: Discussion regarding this item will resume at the end of agenda item 8b. Mr. Bragg will be present at that time.)
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Swope
b. Resolution to Adjust the Status of a Position
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
Comm. Dougan asked for clarification regarding the change in employee benefits which would result from the adjusted status of the position. Ms. Younger explained the position would change from a three-quarter time position to a one-half time position. The adjustment will change the health benefit allowance from two people to one person.
8b. Controller’s Office – Ingham County 2006 General Appropriations Resolution
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE INGHAM COUNTY 2006 GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS RESOLUTION.
Comm. Schor asked if Community Agencies are allowed to carry over their County allocations from one year to the next without Board approval. Mr. Ambrose explained the Community Agencies are required to submit detailed reports to the Controller’s Office with their funding requests. Ms. Younger stated the situation Comm. Schor addressed has only occurred a few times.
Comm. Hertel stated it would be very unusual for Community Agencies to not spend their funds during the year they were allocated. Comm. Schor asked that staff notify this Committee if and when this situation occurs in the future.
Chairperson Dedden stated the Agencies’ funding applications include detailed budget reports. If an Agency has County Community Agency funding left from a previous year, it would show up on the reports. The Board of Commissioners has worked on the 2006 Budget for many months. It will also be before the Board for approval at its next meeting.
Mr. Ambrose stated the 2006 Budget is a 4.8% increase over the 2005 Budget, as adopted. Staff has projected a slight increase of approximately three percent in revenue sharing for 2006.
Comm. Thomas asked when the Community Agencies would be formally requesting funding from the 2006 Community Agency Fund. Mr. Ambrose stated the Human Services Committee would review the requests at its November 14, 2005 meeting.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Swope
(Mr. Bragg arrived at the meeting at this time.)
Comm. Schor repeated his previous question regarding the Health Department’s abstinence program. He then stated he was informed of the extent of the program during the discussion in item 5a. Mr. Bragg explained the Department’s abstinence programs primarily address early sexual activity. He then stated he did not know which schools would have the program in 2006. Several Community Agencies are also involved in these programs.
Mr. Bragg apologized to the Committee for being late this evening.
9. Board Referrals
a. Notice of Public Hearing from the City of Lansing Regarding the Approval of an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for the Property Located at 200 East Grand River
b. Notice of Public Hearing from the City of Lansing Regarding the Approval to Create an Industry Facilities Exemption Certificate for the Property Located at 1501 East Jolly Road
c. Resolution and Notice of Public Hearing from the City of Lansing Regarding a Proposed Agreement between the City and the Charter Township of Delta
d. Notice of Public Hearing from the City of Lansing Regarding Establishing a New Neighborhood Enterprise Zone in the Downtown Area
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
Announcements
Mr. Ambrose recognized Ms. Younger and her staff for their efforts on the 2006 Budget.
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff