Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a budget work session focused on closing a projected $219,000 shortfall in the county budget. Treasurer Chelly Roush and Chief Deputy Accountant Jennifer Zywicki presented cash flow and balance data, and the Board discussed strategies including hiring freezes, early retirement incentives, departmental cuts, and Commissioner salary/benefit reductions. Administrator Eric Cline was directed to set a target of $300,000 in savings and work with departments before the next session on September 21 at 2:00 p.m.
Public Comments
No public comments were made at either the opening or closing of the meeting.
Infrastructure Projects
Chairman Tonneberger raised the possibility of rebidding the county's natural gas contract to seek competitive pricing, including buying tanks and paying only for gas usage. She asked Corporate Counsel Peter Cohl to review the current contract. No vote was taken; this was referred for further review.
Other Business
The Board discussed the $219,000 budget shortfall, resolved in part by using "scenario three": $100,000 from the Communications Tower Fund, $200,000 from the 911 Fund Balance, and $479,221 transferred from the General Fund. Commissioner Shiflett proposed a hiring/replacement freeze for the rest of 2010, to be added as a late item at the Tuesday Executive Meeting. Discussion covered possible early retirement "golden handshake" offers, use of retired staff as on-call fill-ins (911, jail, Sheriff's Department), and potential elimination of a Family Court probation officer position (proposed by Commissioner Lautner). Commissioner Shiflett proposed cutting $1,000 from each Commissioner's salary and reviewing part-time staff hours, MERS defined-contribution plans for new hires, longevity pay, and early retirement policy. Commissioner Schmuckal suggested Commissioners give up health insurance and requested cost comparisons for single versus family coverage. The Building & Grounds budget included a $2,400 salt spreader and a garden tractor for the Government Center; Maintenance Director Jerry Culman's budget included a replacement lawn tractor for the Courthouse complex (equipment purchases, not infrastructure). The Commission on Aging secretary staffing question (raised by County Clerk Michelle Crocker, referencing an email from Director Rosie Steffens) was deferred to the Executive Committee Session, where Steffens would attend.
Financial Summary
As of December 31, 2009, undesignated General Fund balances were $975,180.00. The 2010 budget shortfall was identified as $219,000.00, addressed via $100,000 from the Communications Tower Fund, $200,000 from the 911 Fund Balance, and $479,221 transferred from the General Fund. Administrator Cline proposed setting a $300,000 savings target. Commissioner Schaub noted a 2009 budget surplus of approximately $800,000.00. No formal budget votes were recorded in this session.
Action Items
- Cline to re-analyze department budget percentages and present cut options at the Tuesday Executive Committee meeting.
- Hiring/replacement freeze for remainder of 2010 to be added as a late agenda item at the Executive Meeting (proposed by Shiflett).
- Emergency Services Director Tom Skowronski to be invited to the next Budget Work Session (September 21, 2:00 p.m.) to discuss a 911 fill-in position.
- Commission on Aging secretary staffing to be discussed at the Executive Committee Session with Director Rosie Steffens present.
- Report requested on cost of Commissioner health insurance (single vs. family) — requested by Schmuckal.
- Report requested on mandated versus non-mandated services and associated costs — requested by Schaub.