Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a Budget Work Session on September 10, 2010, chaired by Mary P. Tonneberger, with all seven commissioners present. The Board focused on closing a $219,000 budget shortfall, with Administrator Eric Cline recommending a target of $300,000 to provide cushion. Discussion covered potential hiring freezes, early retirement incentives, departmental cuts, and Commissioner benefit reductions, with direction given to staff to prepare department-level cut percentages for the Executive Committee meeting on September 14 (Tuesday).
Public Comments
No public comments were offered at either the opening or closing comment periods of the meeting.
Infrastructure Projects
Chairman Tonneberger raised the possibility of rebidding the county's natural gas contract to achieve competitive pricing, suggesting the option of purchasing tanks and paying only for gas used. She asked Corporate Counsel Peter Cohl to review the current contract. No vote was taken.
Other Business
Treasurer Chelly M. Roush presented cash balance and cash flow data, noting undesignated funds of $975,180.00 as of December 31, 2009. The 911 Fund shortfall was addressed using "scenario three": $100,000.00 from the Communications Tower Fund, $200,000.00 from 911 Fund Balance, and $479,221.00 transferred from the General Fund. Commissioner Shiflett proposed a hiring/replacement freeze for the remainder of 2010, to be added as a late item at the Tuesday Executive Meeting. Staff cost-saving ideas were discussed, including using trained retirees as fill-ins in 911 dispatch and the jail (per Jail Administrator Cheryl King's memos) to reduce overtime. Commissioner Lautner proposed cutting a probation officer position in Family Court. Commissioner Schaub requested a report on mandated versus non-mandated services. A Building & Grounds capital outlay item was reviewed, including a $2,400.00 salt spreader and a garden tractor/lawn mower replacement (confirmed by Maintenance Director Jerry Culman) for the Government Center. Commission on Aging secretary staffing (two part-time positions) was referred to the Tuesday Executive Committee session with Director Rosie Steffens in attendance. The next Budget Work Session was set for Tuesday, September 21, at 2:00 p.m., with Emergency Services Director Tom Skowronski invited to discuss the 911 fill-in position.
Financial Summary
Key figures: $219,000.00 current shortfall; $300,000.00 target proposed by Cline; $975,180.00 undesignated General Fund balance (12/31/09); $100,000.00 from Communications Tower Fund, $200,000.00 from 911 Fund Balance, and $479,221.00 transferred from General Fund to balance 911. Commissioner Shiflett proposed cutting $1,000.00 from each Commissioner's salary; Commissioner Schmuckal suggested Commissioners give up health insurance. No budget votes were taken at this work session.
Action Items
- Cline to re-analyze departmental cut percentages before the September 14 Executive Committee meeting.
- Hiring/replacement freeze proposal (Shiflett) to be added as a late item at the Executive Meeting.
- Early retirement/"golden handshake" concept to be explored, per Schmuckal, within three months.
- Skowronski to attend the September 21 meeting to discuss the 911 fill-in position.
- Steffens to attend the Executive Committee session to discuss Commission on Aging secretary staffing.
- Schaub requested a report on non-mandated services and their costs/revenues.
- Schmuckal requested a cost comparison report on single versus family health insurance for Commissioners.
- Cohl to review the natural gas contract for competitive bidding.