September 11, 2008 Special meeting minutes

A special meeting of the Ward County Commissioners was called to order at 8:11 a.m. by Chairman Erickson with Comms. Fjeldahl, Gruenberg, Watne and Lee present. Also present were Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and approve the 2009 preliminary budget.

 

With Sheriff Vern Erck appearing for comment, discussion was held on the Minot City prosecution contract. It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Watne to zero the Minot City Prosecution revenue line item. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

It was then moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Lee to request the Auditor/Treasurer write a letter to the City of Minot requiring a contract of $40,000 per year for the prosecution contract or give the County a 60-day termination notice. Comm. Lee then moved a substitute motion, which was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, to give the City of Minot a 60-day termination notice and inform them that Ward County is looking forward to seeing the bid specifications for a prosecution contract. Roll call vote on the substitute motion: Comms. Lee, Fjeldahl and Gruenberg voted yes; Comms. Watne and Erickson voted no; motion carried.

 

It was then moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to reduce the building improvement line item by $30,000. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Discussion was then held on the Trinity Food Services contract for prisoner/juvenile board. With Jail Commander Penny Erickson and Erck appearing for comment it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to accept Trinity’s proposal for 2009; call for bids for jail/juvenile food services for the 2010 budget; and appropriate $326,500 to the Jail prisoner/juvenile board line item. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

It was then moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to raise the per day prisoner board costs the amount of increase in food prices (or $3.08 per day per prisoner.) Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Discussion was then held on the Ward County Juvenile Detention. Juvenile Detention Director Allison Hughes and Juvenile Court Supervisor Gloria Maragos appeared for comment. It was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to set the 2009 Juvenile Detention budget at $125,000 and transport juveniles to the Youth Correctional Center in Mandan. Chief Deputy Dave Bosh and Erck then appeared for comment.

 

At 9:47 a.m. Comm. Lee left the meeting.

At 9:49 a.m. Comm. Lee returned to the meeting.

 

Roll call vote: Comms. Lee, and Fjeldahl voted yes; Comms. Gruenberg, Watne and Erickson voted no; motion failed. It was then moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the Juvenile Detention budget at $280,487. Comm. Fjeldahl moved an amended motion to research the closing of the Ward County Juvenile Detention Center and transport them to the Youth Correctional Center in Mandan. Comm. Fjeldahl then withdrew his amendment. Roll call vote on the original motion: Comms. Gruenberg, Watne and Erickson voted yes; Comms. Lee and Fjeldahl voted no; motion carried.

 

It was then moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Watne that the Board studies the transition of closing the Ward County Juvenile Detention Center and transferring juveniles to Mandan, with the review to be completed by April 2009, prior to the 2010 budget cycle. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 10:10 a.m. the Board recessed.

At 10:19 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.

 

Discussion was then held on the Public Administrator position. It was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to ask the Personnel Director to work with Presiding Judge McLees on developing a job description for the Public Administrator; advertise it as a contract position and budget $1,250 per month. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

The Board then discussed the Courthouse Security. It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Lee to discontinue security at the front door; move the equipment to the third floor of the Courthouse and have the State fund the staff if they want officers present. Roll call vote: Comms. Fjeldahl and Lee voted yes; Comms. Watne, Gruenberg and Erickson voted no; motion failed.

 

Smestad then presented a letter from NDIRF regarding the budgeting of the conferment of benefits. It was moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to budget $40,000 for NDIRF conferment of benefits. An amended motion was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to budget $25,000 for NDIRF conferment of benefits. Roll call vote to amend: Comms. Lee, Fjeldahl and Gruenberg voted yes; Comms. Watne and Erickson voted no; motion carried. Roll call voted on the motion as amended: Comms. Lee, Fjeldahl and Gruenberg voted yes; Comms. Watne and Erickson voted no; motion carried.

 

It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the 2009 Preliminary budget with approved changes. Roll call vote: Comms. Gruenberg, Watne and Erickson voted yes; Comms. Lee and Fjeldahl voted no; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to set the public hearing for the 2009 budget at 9:00 a.m. on September 30. Comm. Lee then withdrew his motion.

 

It was then moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to set the public hearing for the 2009 budget at 6:00 p.m. on September 30. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 10:50 a.m. with no further business it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to adjourn. Motion carried and meeting was adjourned.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 16th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2008.

 

s/ Carroll W Erickson, Chairman

Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad, Auditor/Treasurer