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Board of Commissioners MinutesCALHOUN COUNTY PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS March 2, 2006 The Regular Session of the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners convened at 7:01 p.m., Thursday, March 2, 2006 in the Commissioners' Meeting Room, County Building, Marshall, Michigan. Roll Call: Present: Comrs. Bolger, Miller, Moore, Solis, Strowbridge and Todd. Temporarily Excused: Comr. Segal (Arrived at 7:05 p.m.). INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ADDENDUM:
CITIZENS’ TIME: Mr. Gardy Berezonsky, Marengo Township resident, advised that after the previous Board meeting Chairman Miller called him anti-government. Mr. Berezonsky read from a 1950 Supreme Court case; and stated that if Chairman Miller believes that he is anti-government because he asks questions, than he knows where Chairman Miller is coming from now. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Calhoun Health Plan Presentation Calhoun Health Plan (CHP) Executive Director Samantha Pearl presented a Calhoun Health Plan Member Guidebook and brochure and advised that the Plan was formed last year as a resource for the uninsured and under-insured residents in Calhoun County. Ms. Pearl addressed Plan B, a basic primary care coverage plan that provides doctor office visits, specialist evaluations, lab work, x-rays, as well as a limited prescription drug benefit. Ms. Pearl advised that individuals must be between the ages of 19 to 64, be a Calhoun County resident, have no other health coverage and meet the household income requirements. Ms. Pearl continued that Plan B commenced January 1, 2006 funded with local, state and federal monies; and advised that CHP shall continue to seek additional funding. Ms. Pearl advised that CHP is now enrolling uninsured/under-insured Calhoun County residents for Plan B, and that those wishing to schedule an enrollment appointment should telephone 969-6494. Ms. Pearl advised that CHP is located in the Toeller Building in Battle Creek. Comr. Segal advised that she is President of the Calhoun Health Plan Board of Directors and that Ms. Mullett is also a member. Comr. Segal stated that the Plan is an incredible resource as it shall increase access to health care for the low income residents of Calhoun County. CONSENT AGENDA:
SPECIAL COMMITTEE/WORKSHOP/BOARD REPORTS: Senior Millage Allocation Committee Comr. Bolger reported that Monday the Senior Millage Allocation Committee shall be reviewing the home heating assistance program request for proposals, and that he anticipates a recommendation to be provided at the March 16 Board Meeting. Emergency Telephone District Board Comr. Bolger reported that early this week he met with Battle Creek City Manager Wayne Wiley to review the old District Court location, and that he offered that area for the Emergency Dispatch Center. Comr. Bolger advised that Mr. Wiley indicated that the City will be making its decision in 30 to 60 days. PETITIONS AND NEW BUSINESS: County Administrator/Controller’s Report Joint Workforce Development Agreement County Administrator/Controller Greg Purcell stated that the item is a two-year extension of the Joint Workforce Development Agreement, and introduced Calhoun Intermediate School District (I.S.D.) Finance Director Elaine Furu-Baker and Superintendent Chris Wigent. Mr. Wigent thanked Commissioners Bolger, Solis and Moore for their service on the Workforce Development Chief Executive Officers Board. Mr. Wigent advised that since 1995 the I.S.D. has served as the administrative entity for the provision of workforce development programs in the Barry, Branch, Calhoun County service delivery area, administering $6.8 Million of workforce development funds each year. Mr. Wigent stated that I.S.D. is in the process of renewing the Agreement; and advised that yesterday Branch County approved the Agreement, and next week the Agreement shall go before the Barry County Board. Mr. Wigent stated that since I.S.D. has been the administrative entity, there have been no disallowed costs; further, I.S.D. has earned some incentive grants totaling $2 Million which were placed back into the programs. Mr. Wigent further advised that recently the Program achieved second in being the lowest cost program. Mr. Wigent stated that I.S.D. shall continue to work towards getting the Program to be the lowest costing program. Mr. Wigent advised regarding customer service, that the Program has four work centers and that from 2004 to 2005 there was a 72 percent increase in the number of visitors to the centers. Mr. Wigent further advised that the Program was subject to the new workforce mystery shopper who graded I.S.D. as courteous and very helpful. Ms. Furu-Baker advised that there are two work centers in Calhoun County; e.g., Battle Creek and Albion; and presented program year 2004-2005 statistics reflecting 86,528 visits to the Battle Creek center and 38,577 at the Albion center in 2005. Ms. Furu-Baker stated that there were over 2 million job placements this year. Ms. Furu-Baker stated that the program is providing a lot more training and has partnered with Kellogg Community College. Ms. Furu-Baker advised that over $34 Million has been expended during the past ten years to provide services to job seekers and businesses in Calhoun County. Ms. Furu-Baker also provided a pamphlet advising regarding return on investment statistics, pointing out that for every dollar invested there has been a return of $4.52 for the Work First Program, $1.64 for the WIA Adult Program, and $1.79 for the WIA Dislocated Worker Program.
FY 2006-2007 Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Agreement Mr. Purcell advised that the grant is for $16,295. Family Court Administrator Michael Boltz stated that the Court has received this grant since 1999, however, that the dollar amount has kept decreasing. Mr. Boltz advised that the grant funding shall go towards the partial payment of an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney (A.P.A.) and drug testing for all juveniles admitted to the Juvenile Home and those placed on probation. Mr. Boltz further advised that the Court can charge five percent for administrative fees which will be used to offset the ten percent match requirement.
FY 2005-2006 Byrne Memorial Formula Grant Program Subcontract Mr. Purcell advised that the grant is in the amount of $61,676. Sheriff Allen Byam stated that Calhoun County has received the grant for many years, which allows the Department to participate on the Southwest Enforcement Team. Sheriff Byam advised that the grant funding has been budgeted within the Department’s 2006 budget, and requested the Board’s approval of the subcontract.
FY 2006 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Inter-Local Agreement Mr. Purcell advised that the Agreement is between the City of Battle Creek and Calhoun County for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, and that Prosecutor Hallacy has worked out an agreement to acquire some of those grant funds. Prosecutor John Hallacy stated that the grant funding has decreased over the years, however, shall provide an additional $8,558 towards funding a portion of the personnel costs of an A.P.A. within the Family Division.
Command Officers Association of Michigan Letter of Understanding Assistant County Administrator Wendee Woods advised that the Letter of Understanding addresses issues regarding voluntary early retirements which would allow the Sheriff Department to reduce the workforce and result in a financial savings. Ms. Woods pointed out that the two employees are presently eligible for retirement, and that the Letter of Understanding will provide an incentive for those employees to consider retirement. Ms. Woods further advised that Administration shall be presenting a county-wide early retirement plan to reduce the county’s workforce, result in some financial savings and provide for review of the county’s structure.
Comr. Bolger encouraged other department heads to review their operations to reinvent and create efficiencies. Sheriff Byam thanked Ms. Woods and Ms. Mullett for assisting. January 2006 Financial Statements Finance Director James Latham reported that the financial statements are for the first month of the year and do not indicate any trends or issues. Mr. Latham advised that this year there will be a significant difference in the way the county’s property taxes are collected. In July the county will receive two thirds of the county’s regular levy. Mr. Latham advised that the difference should level out by the middle of the year. COMMISSIONERS’ TIME: Comr. Bolger advised that Judith Borowitz has served as Treasurer of the Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation for the past eleven years, and has also been involved with the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce. Comr. Bolger advised that Ms. Borowitz is retiring and relocating out of the area, and thanked her for her service. Comr. Solis stated that there are a large number of members serving on the Workforce Development Chief Executive Officers Board, yet the meetings run smoothly and the Board stays on task, which he credits to Ms. Furu-Baker. Comr. Solis stated that he has never heard of the mystery shopper, however, believes a lot of organizations could benefit from such a service. Comr. Solis commended the Sheriff for leading the county in looking at new ways to save money, and challenged the other departments that seem to go off on their own with no collaboration, to step forward and think of new ways to save money and provide services in a more efficient manner. Chairman Miller echoed Commissioner Bolger’s sentiments regarding Judith Borowitz. Chairman Miller advised that he worked with Ms. Borowitz on the Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation and with the B.R.A.C. trip and she is very competent, timely and accessible. CLAIMS PAYABLE LISTINGS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Comr. Moore invited everyone to the steak dinner benefit at the Home Grange in Newton Township on Friday, March 10 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Prosecutor Hallacy advised that on March 28 between 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the Burnham Brook Center the Sheriff and he, who have been working closely with the Underage Drinking Forum, will be attending a town hall meeting to address the issue; and encouraged all elected officials to attend. Prosecutor Hallacy announced that on April 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the Meth Task Force is conducting a Meth Watch community education meeting at the Burnham Brook Center to broaden awareness regarding real estate clean up issues. RECESS: The Board recessed at 7:46 p.m. at the call of the Chair.
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