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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2004.08.19 - 35928CHUCK MOSS Chairperson BILL BULLARD Vice Chairperson GEORGE SUAREZ Minority Vice Chairperson August 19, 2004 Chairperson Moss called the meeting of the Finance Committee to order at 11:00 a.m., in the Board of Commissioners' Committee Room A, Commissioners' Wing, County Service Center, Pontiac, Michigan. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT : Chuck Moss, George Suarez, Charles Palmer, Hugh Crawfo rd, Peter Webster, Greg Jamian, Martin Knollenberg, Christine Long, Vincent Gregory, Helaine Zack COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: Bill Bullard OTHERS PRESENT : ARTS, CULTURE & FILM Christie Zamora, Coordinator COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC Dennis Toffolo, Director DEVELOPMENT Hayes, Jones, Deputy Director Steve Huber, Supervisor EXECUTIVE OFFICE Doug Williams, Deputy Executive FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Dave Ross, Director FACILITIES MAINTENANCE Dick Johnston, Manager FISCAL SERVICES Tim Soave, Manager LaVerne Smith, Supervisor Linda Pearson, Analyst Joe Rozell, Analyst HEALTH George Miller, Manager HUMAN RESOURCES Ed Poisson, Director Nancy Scarlet, Manager HUMAN SERVICES Dr. Thomas Gordon, Director MANAGEMENT & BUDGET Laurie VanPelt, Director PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Dan Hunter, Manager BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Jeff Potter, District #8 Larry Doyle, Administrative Director Sheryl Mitchell, Sr. Analyst Harvey Wedell, Sr. Analyst Helen Hanger, Sr. Committee Coordinator PUBLIC COMMENT None. FY 2005 BUDGET HEARINGS OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1200 N. TELEGRAPH ROAD, PONTIAC, MI 48341-0470 Telephone (248) 858 -0100 FAX (248) 858-1572 FINANCE COMMITTEE Charles Palmer Hugh D. Crawford Peter Webster Greg Jamian Martin J. Knollenberg Christine Long Vincent Gregory Helaine Zack FINANCE COMMITTEE Page 2 August 19, 2004 Ms. Smith distributed revised information for the Fiscal Year 2004 Third Quarter Report. This item will be addressed on September 2. 1. COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEV ELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION DIVISION Mr. Toffolo explained that the requested positions, including one General Fund/General Purpose (GF/GP) Senior Business Development Representative, one GF/GP Technical Assistant, two GF/GP PTNE Technical Assistants and one GF/GP Secretary III, would enhance the County's Main Street program and support the Emerging Sectors initiative. Two projects will be selected for the Fiscal Year 2005 Main Street program following review of the applications. Emerging Sectors will focus on maintaining and expanding existing business and on attracting key businesses identified as emerging sectors. The top 10 sectors and top 100 businesses will be identified and the Sr. Business Development Representative will conduct calling missions in both domestic and international markets. The focus will be on Nano -technology, alternative energy, biotechnology and robotics. Mr. Palmer asked about the return on investment for these positions. Ms. Van Pelt commented that Economic Development is very im portant to the County's tax base, which supports 56% of the County's General Fund. Attraction and expansion of business has added an additional $28,000,000 in revenue. Economic Development staff also assisted in retaining funding for road interchanges. Mr. Toffolo noted that his Department reports its activities on a quarterly basis to the Planning and Building Committee and will include Emerging Sectors information to address accountability for personnel and programs. Mr. Palmer asked that he be provid ed with a short written report on this information and proceeded to inquire as to a number of budget line items. Mr. Toffolo and Mr. Hunter explained that Professional Services line item funding is used for various marketing materials and for consulting to assist with identifying specific industries within emerging markets. Mr. Palmer asked if the transfer and retitling of the Minority Affairs Director would duplicate the function of the Community and Home Improvement Division (CHI). He also asked how th e Department's 35 special revenue positions were funded and who was handling the function of Waste Resource Management. Mr. Toffolo explained that transferring Minority Affairs to his department should complement the functions of CHI. Mr. Toffolo explained that the Special Revenue positions were funded by the Community Development Block Grant, the Economic Development Corporation, the Finance Development Corporation and Workforce Development Grants and two are reimbursed by Automation Alley. Also, Mr. Ha yes has been managing the Waste Resource Management function. Mr. Webster asked if there were any other costs for this reorganization aside from the requested position changes and creations. Mr. Toffolo indicated there are no other costs. Space being va cated by Automation Alley will be utilized. Mr. Moss asked Mr. Toffolo about the request for creation of a Secretary III. Mr. Toffolo explained that the new Secretary III would provide assistance with the increased workload and scheduling for the CED Administration generated by the additional staff and emerging sectors effort. The current Secretary III is handling five existing positions within the Executive staff. FINANCE COMMITTEE Page 3 August 19, 2004 Ms. Long stated that she would like to make sure these positions are needed, as the econ omy does not appear to be improving. Mr. Jones explained that this is why several of the positions are being created as part -time non-eligible. Mr. Potter stated that Community & Economic Development assisted in saving 200 jobs in the South Lyon area and that Emerging Sectors will be very important to the development of the Grand River corridor. Additionally, the Main Street program is moving into this area. 2. 2005-2009 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 3. FY 2005 SPECIAL PROJECTS Mr. Ross reviewed the pro posed 2005-2009 Capital Improvement Program and explained how the process occurs to determine which projects are included. Budget constraints over the last several years have impacted the number of projects that have moved forward. The 2005 program inclu des seven building projects of $13,884,500 and three Utility, Roads and Parking section projects for an additional $653,000. For the total five -year program, 89% of the projects are for Law Enforcement. Ms. Zack asked what the Return on Investment would b e if the County were to purchase land and build a new courthouse for the 52-2 District Court in Clarkston instead of continuing to lease space. Mr. Ross explained that the Court is experiencing an increase in caseload, which in turn has increased traffic flow in and around the courthouse, as well as transport needs. The existing courthouse would need to be expanded and the land is not large enough to do so. Also, it would be more economical for the County to own the facility as an asset than to improve leased property. There are very few parcels of property left in this area that could accommodate the 52 -2 District Court and that property is going quickly. The 52-1 District Court is also a lease facility and is experiencing similar problems. Ms. Van Pelt stated that if the County decides to build item #9, the 320 Bed Medium Security Jail & Infrastructure, there would need to be discussion on how to fund operating costs. Mr. Webster suggested that the County consider establishing a sinking fund to dive rt some revenue out of the 52-2 District Court to help offset capital costs for a new 52 -2 District courthouse. Mr. Webster asked if the project list on page 5 was prioritized. Mr. Ross indicated that this list was structured primarily by year. Mr. Palmer commented that the Planning & Building Committee considered this list as prioritized. Palmer moved to recommend approval of the 2005 - 2009 Capital Improvement Program. Supported by Gregory. Motion carried on a voice vote. 4. HUMAN SERVICES - HEALTH DIVISION Ms. Zack stated that, because health care is a major issue, she would prefer to take a more proactive approach to funding indigent health care, which was previously decreased due to budget concerns. She also asked Dr. Gordon to address the Committee regarding the Family Independence Agency (FIA) issue of FINANCE COMMITTEE Page 4 August 19, 2004 reimbursement for its Oakland County caseload of abused and neglected children. Dr. Gordon explained that the appropriation for Indigent Health Care was reduced following notification from the State of budget reductions. The law does not require that a specific amount be provided for indigent health care so it would be up to the Commissioners to decide to increase the budgeted amount. There are eleven hospitals that receive a proportionate share of this funding. The FIA notified the County several weeks ago that they are behind on their billing but anticipate expending more than the $800,000 budgeted by Oakland County. The Administration will be meeting with the FIA director to discuss this issue and will report back to the Committee. FIA staff has also been asked to attend the next Finance Committee meeting to discuss these overages. Mr. Williams noted that the Administration would review the year -end budget and make a recommendation to address the situation. Mr. Palmer asked several questions regarding various line items under the Environmental Health Program. Dr. Gordon explained several line items had been reallocated based on changes to the MDEQ contract, and reporting changes, contractual services for several clinical programs, new requirements for children to receive the flu vaccine and the increased cost of the flu vaccine. Dr. Gordon noted that only two companies in the United States are now making the vaccine. 5. COUNTY EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION - OFFICE OF ARTS, CULTURE AND FILM Ms. Zamora distributed materials regarding the activities and budget of the Office of Arts, Culture and Film (OACF) and reviewed this information with the committee. She explained how the application and selection process for regranting was handled. The OACF also assists with writing grant proposals, maintains a web site, that includes a calendar of events and regranting instructions and application; organizes brown bag lunches and Executive Offic e Galleria exhibits, works with historical societies, participates in the Business Round Table Quality of Life Committee, etc. Mr. Williams noted that the OACF was instrumental in leveraging funds for the Strand Theatre in Pontiac. Mr. Jamian asked what the goals for the OACF are and if they intend to pursue additional grant opportunities. Mr. Moss indicated he would like to see a more aggressive approach to obtaining grant funds and in providing outreach to community groups and that this effort would be reviewed during next year's budget hearings. OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 1:12 p.m. ________________________ _______________________________ Helen Hanger Lawrence M. Doyle Senior Committee Coordinator Administrative Director NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.