November 3,
2005 at 8:30 am
APPROVED
MINUTES AS CORRECTED
Members:
Kurt Behrenfeld, Chairman; Dr. Paul DiGiovanni, Vice Chairman; Kay Breed,
Marilyn Brown, Danny Ross, Carol Tytler, Newell Willcox
Others
Present:
Scott Schrader, Scott Steve, Chairman of the Legislature; Katrina Spicer,
Paul Allen, Don Chambers, Robert Buerkle, Manny Lann, Dan Dineen, Kristen
Monroe, Mary Ellen Neville, Linda Medeiros, Charlie Capanzano, Carl Bullock
Mr.
Behrenfeld called the meeting to order.
BUDGET/REVIEW:
1. Mental Health
Department – Mr. Schrader stated that
funding has changed slightly over the years.
Personnel issues for the Mental Health Department were discussed.
Management Comp will be discussed at a later date.
There has been an increase in the cost of professional fees.
State funding is forwarded through the County to fund programs; revenue
in and out. The Medicaid rate for
Intensive Case Management has increased. The
State will take back any funding not used.
Ms. Medeiros addressed issues related to departmental vehicles.
They currently have five vehicles which are older and in need of repairs.
Ms. Medeiros is concerned that enough money has not been budgeted for the
upkeep of these vehicles. Mr.
Schrader will look into it and report back.
Mr. Behrenfeld and Ms. Tytler addressed concerns related to two Mental
Health Aide part-time positions, which were not budgeted for 2006.
Mr. Schrader stated that these positions were not justified.
Ms. Medeiros addressed her concerns related to this.
Mr. Schrader requested Mental Health to evaluate the cases discussed.
Mr. Behrenfeld questioned why there are so many part-time positions.
Mr. Schrader and Ms. Medeiros stated that it is because of the
availability of aides and more efficient for part-time employees to fill these
positions. Ms. Monroe stated that
fund is more successful in family wrap around programs than in one on one
programs. Family wrap around does
better with keeping children out of foster care.
Ms. Medeiros addressed her concerns with a cut in the amount requested
for utilities at Horizon House. Mr.
Schrader stated that there is no reason to change the budgeted amount.
Ms. Breed asked if there is anything that can be done county wide to
reduce energy usage. Mr. Schrader
stated that he would have Building and Grounds look into it.
2. Department of Social
Services –
Mr. Behrenfeld questioned Ms. Monroe about the change in revenue for the
department. Ms. Neville stated that
it is because of older federal funding which has changed to more flexible
funding. Ms. Monroe stated that
this new type of funding allows the department to be more flexible in how it is
spent. Mr. Behrenfeld asked if this
is because of Block Grants being allocated money differently. Ms. Monroe stated it is also due to Medicaid Cap
and a decrease in Medicaid recoveries. Mr.
Behrenfeld questioned why there is such a big difference in DSS Administration
revenue. Mr. Willcox questioned the
Legal Expenses for Social Services. Ms.
Monroe stated that they are stretched thin as it is already.
Mr. Schrader stated that the department does a great deal with Family
Court.
3.
Veterans Affairs – Mr. Bullock discussed his concerns with the telephone
service being cut $200. He has
increased his contacts but received a cut in postage and telephone.
He stated that more the more contacts he makes the more his costs will
increase. Mr. Schrader stated that
there were cuts in those areas. Dr.
DiGiovanni made a motion to amend the budget and reflect an additional $100 be
added to Telephone Expenses; seconded by Ms. Tytler.
All members
voting in favor; none opposed; amendment to the budget adopted.
4.
Youth
Services
– Ms. Brown questioned why the budget does not show local revenue.
Ms. Lann stated that he is not always certain that he will receive that
money. Mr. Schrader will look into
it. Mr. Behrenfeld asked about
travel increases. Mr. Lann stated that is due to the increase in gas prices.
5.
Planning
– Mr. Schrader stated there is an increase in revenue.
No changes were made to this budget.
6.
Highway – Mr. Willcox questioned
discussed the cost of maintenance supplies.
Mr. Schrader stated that projects like road stripping are contracted out.
Mr. Willcox asked about the position of Sign Technician and what that
positions duties are. Mr. Chambers
and Mr. Buerkle stated that
he fixes signs, assists with barricades, zone stripping and works on thousands
of signs across the county. Roads
are restripped annually in the county. Once a road has been stripped the county must upkeep those
stripes or it can become a liability issue.
Ms. Breed questioned the decrease in snow removal.
Mr. Chambers stated that the figure was based on a five year average.
Ms. Breed questioned why the Engineering budget was so high. Portions of this budget show up elsewhere.
Mr. Chambers stated that there are no additional changes to this budget.
No new positions have been added and salaries have not changed.
Mr. Schrader commended Mr. Chambers for allocating personnel costs to
appropriate funds. Mr. Chambers discussed his concerns with overtime.
He has tried to adjust and cut overtime but can not eliminate it.
The shift differential pay may be a little low at this time. Mr. Willcox questioned the equipment rental and leasing.
Mr. Chambers stated that we rent from ourselves.
Mr. Schrader discussed Capital Project issues.
Issues related to Solid Waste were discussed.
No changes were made to that portion of the budget. The Airport budget was discussed but no changes were made.
7.
County Clerk/Motor Vehicle – Ms. Larkin did not wish to address the committee.
8. Dwyer Park – Mr. Behrenfeld questioned revenue
from concessions. Mr. Schrader
stated that no bids were received. Changes
have been made to the concession stand which does not allow for cooking and this
puts a limit as to what concessions can be sold. Mr. Schrader stated that he is working on this and looking
into ways that we can lower the risk for vendors.
A Public Hearing time and date was discussed.
The Public Hearing for the 2006 Tentative Budget will be held Tuesday,
November 15, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.