The county board spent part of the afternoon of October 15, 2013 discussing ways to keep costs down in 2014 in order to avoid a levy increase and use of the fund balance. They went over some possible cuts in departments they had not discussed at a previous budget work session.
Budgeting for the Public Health & Human Services Department is difficult because the services people need vary widely from year to year. Department Director Sue Futterer told the board that cutting services in one area could result in added expenses in other, such as cutting home health care and then incurring greater costs when clients are unable to remain in their own homes.
One budget cut that was mentioned was health insurance for employees’ families. Auditor- Treasurer Braidy Powers said that the county would save $750,000 if it discontinued family coverage. “I’m not interested in going that direction at all,” said Commissioner Sue Hakes. “I think it’s super important that we are good employers.”
At the previous budget workshop, the board had discussed requiring commissioners to contribute $15/ month toward their own health insurance instead of $10. In regard to that discussion, Commissioner Jan Hall said contributing that amount would not be fair until everyone else on the county’s payroll did it, too. “I wouldn’t want to do it unless we’re all on board together,” she said.
Currently, department heads pay $25/month for either single or family coverage. Law Enforcement Center employees pay $25/month toward family coverage but nothing for single coverage. Some non-union employees pay $10/month for either single or family coverage, and some pay nothing.
Hall said they are trying very hard to continue theNewlevelCenturyof Press,pay anda multi- benefits county employeesaggressive,haveorganized,beencareer- getting. Manager / Sales Manager for Commissioner GarryResponsibilitiesGambleinclude indicated he was reluctantmaintainingtoandraiseestablishingthe levy because membersThis is aoffull-thetimepublicsalaried have no way to raise their ownmanagementpay or benefits. County increases will be “onSend the backs of the taxpayers,”Lisa MillerhePO Boxsaid—28 Rock raising county salaries means taking money away from people who cannot raise their own salaries.
Commissioner Sue Hakes suggested that if they thought a salary increase for commissioners was needed, they could plan for it to go into effect after they were all out of office.
Commissioner Garry Gamble recommended leaving the county fair out of the budget since it was not held after participation dropped over the course of time. Regarding old traditions falling by the wayside, he said, state“Topublishingbe effective,company,youis currentlyneed newseekingpeoplean withorientedvision.”individual to fill the position of General andCommissionermagazines based outGambleof Moorhead,suggestedMN. managingthat theyan editorialconsiderand advertisingreducingsales staff,funding newfor businesssomerelationshipsof the organizationsand new opportunities.that positionhaveplustheircommission.own Pastfundadvertisingbalances,sales andsuch experienceas theisGrandpreferred butMaraisnot required.Public Library and cover letterLegal Aid. Commissioner Hakes and resume to: Rapids,said someIA 51246ofor thoseemail lmiller@organizationsncppub.com are trying to build up their fund balances so they can be self-sustaining. Commissioner Heidi Doo-Kirk said the Cook County Historical Society is trying to pay its employees out of the interest earned on its fund balance. whether all the rules and regulations were necessary in such a rural county.
Commissioner Hall said she had talked to Diane Booth about reducing the Extension budget, and Booth said they could either use money from the fund balance or cut her hours. Commissioner Gamble said cutting her hours would simply mean she would work the same number of hours but for less pay.
Numerous board members indicated they would like to see no levy increase for 2014. Commissioner Gamble said he would also like to see the county avoid dipping into its fund balance.
The board discussed budget reductions department by department. The next step will be for commissioners Regarding Planning & Zoning, to let department heads know Commissioner Hall said she thinks where they thought reductions could more rules in that department are be made. The final budget will be set requiring more staff, and she questioned in December. whether all the rules and regulations were necessary in such a rural county.
Commissioner Hall said she had talked to Diane Booth about reducing the Extension budget, and Booth said they could either use money from the fund balance or cut her hours. Commissioner Gamble said cutting her hours would simply mean she would work the same number of hours but for less pay.
Numerous board members indicated they would like to see no levy increase for 2014. Commissioner Gamble said he would also like to see the county avoid dipping into its fund balance.
The board discussed budget reductions department by department. The next step will be for commissioners Regarding Planning & Zoning, to let department heads know Commissioner Hall said she thinks where they thought reductions could more rules in that department are be made. The final budget will be set requiring more staff, and she questioned in December.
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