HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2007.06.07 - 36183MIKE ROGERS
Chairperson
EILEEN KOWALL
Vice Chairperson
HELAINE ZACK
Minority Vice Chairperson
June 7, 2007
Chairperson Rogers called the meeting of the Finance Com mittee to order at 9:11 a.m., in the Board of
Commissioners' Committee Room A, Commissioners' Wing, County Service Center, Pontiac, Michigan.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Mike Rogers, Eileen Kowall, Helaine Zack, Sue Ann Douglas, Hugh Crawford, Tom Middleton,
Christine Long , Helaine Zack, Dave Coulter, Tim Greimel
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE
Jeff Potter, David Woodard
OTHERS PRESENT
CLERK Joe Rozell, Director of Elections
EMERGENCY RESPONSE Gail Novak, Chief
EXECUTIVE OFFICE Jerry Poisson, Deputy
Bob Daddow, Deputy
Phil Bertolini, Deputy
FISCAL SERVICES Tim Soave, Manager
Nancy Fournier, Chief
LaVerne Smith, Supervisor
Linda Pearson, Analyst
Monica Tinsley, Analyst
HUMAN RESOURCES Nancy Scarlet, Director
Jennifer Mason, Manager
Judy Fandale, Supervisor
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Ed Poisson, Director
Janette McKenna, Chief
MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET Laurie Van Pelt, Director
Art Holdsworth, Deputy Director
PURCHASING Scott Guzzy, Chief
SHERIFF Michael McCabe, Undersheriff
Dale Cunningham, Business Manager
AXE & ECKLUND John Axe, President
COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH Mary Griffiths, Director of Admin. Operations
OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
1200 N. TELEGRAPH ROAD, PONTIAC, MI 48341-0470
Telephone (248) 858 -0100 FAX (248) 858-1572
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Sue Ann Douglas
Hugh D. Crawford
Tom Middleton
Christine Long
Jeff Potter
David Coulter
David Woodward
Tim Greimel
FINANCE COMMITTEE Page 2
June 7, 2007
OTHERS PRESENT CONTINUED
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Larry Doyle, Administrative Director
Harvey Wedell, Sr. Analyst
Sheryl Mitchell, Sr. Analyst
Julia Ruffin, BOC Liaison
Helen Hanger, Sr. Committee Coordinator
APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES
Middleton moved approval of the minutes of May 17, 2007 as printed. Supported by Douglas.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
5. FY 2007/FY 2008 C ONTINGENCY REPORT
The Contingency Fund balance of $310,221 will remain unchanged by actions taken at today’s meeting.
Kowall moved to receive and file and Contingency Report dated June 1, 2007. Supported by
Middleton.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
AGEMDA
Items #8 (Sheriff’s Office – FY 2007 Global Arson Grant Acceptance) and #13 (Department of Management
and Budget / Purchasing Division – Request Renewal of Contract Coats Communication ) were removed
from the agenda as they had not yet been presented to their liaison committees. There were no objections.
REGULAR AGENDA
6. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVIC ES/HEALTH DIVISION – 2007 MARCH OF
DIMES CHAPTER COMMUNITY GRANT AWARD FOR THE TRANSPORTA TION OF PREGNANT
WOMEN – GRANT ACCEPTANCE
The Health Division is requesting acceptance of a $15,000 grant from the March of Dimes Michigan
Chapter, Transportation for Pregnant women Project. Funds will b e used to purchase approximately 150
round-trip transports for non-Medicaid pregnant women for prenatal care visits. No County match is
required and existing staff will be utilized to administer the program. A budget amendment will be made as
outlined in the Fiscal Note.
Zack moved approval of the attached suggested Fiscal Note. Supported by Coulter.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
7. COUNTY EXECUTIVE – EMERGENCY REPONSE AND PREPAREDNESS – PERFORMANCE
GRANT AGREEMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007 ACCEPTANCE
Emergency Response and Preparedness is requesting acceptance of a $44,996 grant from the Michigan
Department of State Police Emergency Management Homeland Security Division for the purpose of
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June 7, 2007
developing comprehensive disaster preparedness and assistance plans, programs, capabilities and
organizations by the State and local governments for FY 2007. The grant also funds a portion of the ERP
administrator’s salary and fringe benefits. Revenue from thi s agreement is already included in the FY 2007
budget.
Coulter moved approval of the attached suggested Fiscal Note. Supported by Douglas.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
9. DRAIN COMMISSIONER – GEORGE W. KUHN DRAINAGE DISTRICT REFUN DING BONDS –
FULL FAITH AND CREDIT
The George W. Kuhn Drainage District Board, through the Drain Commissioner, is requesting that the
Board of Commissioners pledge the County’s full faith and credit for payment of principal and int erest on
Drain Refunding Bonds, Series 2007 in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $13,500,000 to refund
all or a portion of Series 2000B Drain Bonds maturing in the years 2010 through 2022 and Series 2001E
Drain Bonds maturing in the years 2013 through 2024, bearing inte rest rates not to exceed 6%. Series
2000B Drain Bonds were originally issued in the amount of $6,570,000 per MR #00188, at an interest rate
of 8%. Series 2001E Drain Bonds were originally issued in the amount of $9,870,000 per MR #01201, also
at an interest rate of 8%. This action will achieve debt service savings for fourteen southeastern Oakland
County communities as identified in the resolution.
Douglas moved approval of the attached suggested Resolution. Supported by Greimel.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
10. MR #07134 – HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT – SALARY ADMINISTRATION PLAN 2 ND
QUARTERLY REPORT FOR FY 2007
The Human Resources Department has completed its review of 3 classifications / 6 positions under the
Salary Administration Plan and is recommending that all 3 classifications / 6 positions be upgraded as
detailed in the written material. Budget amendments will be made as outlined in the Fiscal Note.
Middleton moved approval of the attached suggested Fiscal Note. Sup ported by Douglas.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
11. MR #07133 – DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – SECOND QUARTER 2007
DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATION TRANSFER
Information Technology is requesting authorization to appropriate and char ge 2007 Second Quarter
development costs to benefiting departments. Charges are $1,158,828.69 for data processing
development, $17,498.24 for imaging development for General Fund/General Purpose departments,
$279,221.72 in direct charges to Special Revenu e and Proprietary fund departments, $97.60 for non -
governmental imaging development and $372.10 to non -county agencies.
Potter moved approval of the attached suggested Fiscal Note. Supported by Kowall.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
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June 7, 2007
12. DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET – FISCAL YEAR 2007 SECOND QUARTER
FINANCIAL FORECAST AND BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Management and Budget is requesting authorization to implement various budget amendments as detailed
in the Resolution in accordance with the General Appropriations Act, Sections 22 and 23. The June 1,
2007 Letter of Transmittal indicates an overall favorability of $14,926,799 in General Fund/General Purpose
operations resulting from receiving $13,486,129 more revenue than anticipated and e xpending $1,440,670
less than budgeted.
Mr. Soave explained several of the larger details of the forecast. Favorable revenue of $10.3 million is a
result of this being the last year for the County to receive an accelerated tax payment due to the tax shift
and would not be repeated. Investment income is slightly up over what was budgeted due an increase in
interest rates but, over time with a tightening budget, cash flow will decrease and there will be less to
invest. Convention facility tax dollars received were more than anticipated but may be cut by the State next
year. Cigarette Tax revenue has declined . Expenditures were less than budgeted primarily due to staff
turnover. This figure is shrinking as more people hold on to their jobs due to the slow economy.
Unfavorability in the Sheriff’s Office is a result of a budgeting error for fringe benefits. The Deputies
Contract has been in negotiation for four years and every year the assumed salary increase was built into
the budget but the impact to fringe benefits was not included. This has been corrected for 2008. Several
other issues of unfavorability within Central Services and Public Services will be addressed with second
quarter budget amendments. Fuel cost increases will be addressed with the third quarter report.
Commissioner Douglas asked that Management and Budget produce a 10 -year chart to show the changes
in the County’s budget favorability.
Commissioner Zack asked why the County had received additional Court Equity of $424,600.
Mr. Soave explained that Court Equity is based on a State formula involving the number of cases in the
County’s Circuit and Proba te Courts. Convention Facilities Tax, coming from both hotel and liquor taxes, is
also formula based and fluctuates. All hotel tax es go to pay down Cobo Hall debt. Oakland County gets a
portion of the liquor tax payment but all 80 out-state counties get their entire liquor payment and a portion of
the tri-county as well. To remain conservative, th e County takes the State’s estimate for Convention
Facilities Tax and reduces it. Public Services/Animal Control is unfavorable as a result of their being first
responders so the County is required to provide rabies shots every few years and this was not budgeted
for. They are also doing mo re spading and neutering.
Zack moved approval of the attached suggested Resolution . Supported by Douglas.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
14. RESOLUTION APPROVING SUBLEASE IN CONNECTION WITH THE OAKLAND COUNTY
COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY HOUSING PROJECT LOCATED IN OAKLAND COUNTY
The resolution would authorize a sublease between the County of Oakland and the Oakland County
Community Mental Health Authority (CMH) for 18 existing group home facilities to be acquired by the
Oakland County Building Authority. The Sublease provides that the Building Authority is authorized to
issue bonds in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $5,500,000, at a net interest cost not to
exceed 4.75% per annum .
Mr. Daddow explained that this action will save CMH no less than $150,000 a year and will build equity
after 20 years once the bonds are paid off. The County’s $9.6 million annual match to CMH would cover
debt service payments if CMH cannot. The Administration has talked to Moody’s and Standard and Poors
and they are very favorable on this type of sharing arrangement .
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June 7, 2007
Messrs. Daddow and Axe explained that about 95% of what the County borrows is for others, mostly for
Drain activities. A very small amount is used for County purposes, such as the Rochester Hills Substation
and the Work Release facility. The County’s AAA Bond Program requires that the project must be for a
government oriented purpose and must be a physical asset. Until that asset is paid off, title rests with the
Building Authority. This specific project is relative to County government because the Board of
Commissioners appoints CMH Board members and the County provides a local funding match.
Zack moved to recommend approval of the attached suggested Fiscal Note . Supported by Kowall.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
15. HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT – DEFERRED DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT
BUYOUT
Human Resources is requesting authorization to initiate a Deferred Retirement Buy -Out Plan to offer
deferred retirees the opportunity to buy-out accrued, vested retirement benefits through a “Lump -Sum”
payment actuarially equivalent to the present value of their accrued benefit, contingent upon the deferred
retiree’s signed waiver of rights to any and all other retirement we lfare benefits, including the right to future
County funded health c are. Vested former employees will be notified in writing that they have an
irrevocable one time election continuing for no less than seven days and not more than sixty days to decide
whether to participate in the Buy -Out Plan. Those who accept a lump -sum buy-out, effective September 1,
2007, will be able to rollover these fund to another tax -qualified retirement plan or Individual Retirement
Account.
Ms. Fandale explained that on two p rior occasions the County had offered such a buyout program. The
first time was in 1994 with 160 people participating at a cost of $5.1 million, saving $34 million in future
health care costs. The second program was offered in 1998 with 32 people particip ating at a cost of $1.2
million, saving $6.8 million in future health care costs. There are currently 224 deferred retirees eligible for
this new program. Funds for lump sum payments will be drawn from the assets of the Oakland County
Public Employees’ Retirement System, which is fully funded.
Commissioner Rogers asked that the Administration report back on the number of individuals who take the
buyout.
Zack moved to recommend approval of the attached suggested Fiscal Note. Supported by
Middleton.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
16. AN ORDINANCE TO CONFIRM AND RESTATE OAKLAND COUNTY’S EXISTING
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN RETIRED
COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND THEIR ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS
The Ordinance, which shall be known and may be cited as the Retiree Medical Benefits contractual
Obligations Ordinance, is intended to provide a clear, comprehensive confirmation, reaffirmation and
restatement of the County’s contractual obligations to p rovide retiree medical benefits . The ordinance
provides a history of the County’s obligations for retiree medical benefits, confirms existing contractual
obligations and provides for dispute resolution and severability. The ordinance shall become effective upon
adoption by the Board of Comm issioners and approval by the County Executive.
Mr. Axe explained that the ordinance also identifies in chronological order the many things that the County
has done in the retiree health care area since these benefits were granted to retirees in 1965.
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June 7, 2007
Mr. Poisson explained that after doing some research they felt that by taking action through ordinance,
rather than resolutions which perform the ministerial functions of government, the County would be
provided with the permanency and the legal power to provide for this alternative funding mechanism. If a
future Board were to rescind this action, they would still be bound to pay off the debt.
Middleton moved to recommend approval of the attached suggested Ordinance. Supported by
Kowall.
Crawford moved to amend the ordinance to add Section 8,
Section 8. Authority to adopt ordinance.
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners is granted authority by Section 6 of
Public Act No. 139 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1973, as amended, to adopt ordinance s
necessary for the conduct of county business.
Supported by Kowall.
Motion to amend carried on a voice vote.
Main motion, as amended, carried unanimously on a roll call vote .
17. ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH AN ALTERNATIVE FUNDING MECHANISM FOR OAKLAND
COUNTY TO FULFILL ITS CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE RETIREE MEDICAL
BENEFITS FOR RETIREES AND CERTAIN ACTIVE EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNTY; TO AUTHORIZE
THE FORMATION BY THE COUNTY OF AN OAKLAND COUNTY RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS
FUNDING TRUST FOR THE PURPOSE OF ISSUING TAXABLE CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION
TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO PAY A SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF THE UNFUNDED ACCRUED ACTUARIAL
LIABILITIES OF THE COUNTY FOR THE ESTIMATED COSTS OF FULFILLING SUCH OBLIGATIONS;
AND TO APPROVE THE FORM OF A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CO UNTY AND SUCH FUNDING
TRUST
The Ordinance, which shall be known as the Retiree Medical Benefits Funding Ordinance, shall authorize
an alternative to the County’s traditional mechanism for funding the costs of fulfilling its contractual
obligations to provide retiree medical benefits (an “Alternative Funding Mechanism”) to better maintain the
actuarial integrity of its retiree medical benefits (RMB) program and to reduce the financial burden to the
County of the Subject RMB unfunded accrued actuarial liabi lities (UAAL). The Alternative Funding
Mechanism will enable the County to enter into a transaction (the “Funding Transaction”) to fund the subject
RMB UAAL. The Ordinance shall establish the Funding Trust (defined within the ordinance), designed to
work in conjunction with the Intermediate Trust (defined within the ordinance) and the Voluntary Employee
Benefit Association Trust (VEBA Trust) and the County’s entering into a related contract with the Funding
Trust as a means for the County to fund the Sub ject RMB UAAL. The ordinance shall become effective
upon adoption by the Board of Commissioners and approval by the County Executive.
The draft ordinance includes revisions to the language to require the Chairperson of the Board of
Commissioners and Co unty Clerk, and not the County Executive, to executive the contract and require the
Chairperson’s approval of any changes to the ordinance.
Crawford moved to recommend approval of the attached suggested Ordinance. Supported by
Kowall.
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June 7, 2007
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote .
18. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2007 OAKLAND COUNTY INTERMEDIATE RETIREE
MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE TRUSTEES
DESCRIBED THEREIN, ESTABLISHING THE 2007 OAKLAND COUNTY INTERMEDIATE RETIREE
MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
The resolution establishes the 2007 Oakland County Intermediate Retiree Medical Benefits Trust (the
“Intermediate Trust”), identifies initial Trustees as the same persons who are Commissioners of the
Oakland County Employees Retirement Sys tem, indicates that all withdrawals from the Trust shall be solely
for payment of Retiree Medical Benefits and administrative expenses of the Trust, indicates that the Trust
and fund therein will be established on an actuarial basis, identifies that the Co unty Executive or any
Deputy County Executive, acting on behalf of the County Executive, is provided authority to execute and
deliver the Trust Agreement and all such other and further agreements and other documents and to do or
cause to be done all such o ther and further acts necessary in connection with the Int ermediate Trust
Agreement. The resolution shall take immediate effect upon its adoption and signature of the County
Executive.
Douglas moved to recommend approval of the attached suggested Ordin ance. Supported by Zack.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
COMMUNICATIONS
A. Department of Management and Budget / Purchasing Division – Contract Exception Report for the
Month of May, 2007
B. 52-1 Novi District Court, FY 2008 SCAO Gran t – Drug Court Grant Application
C. 52-2 Clarkston District Court, FY 2008 SCAO Grant – Drug Court Grant Application
D. Circuit Court/Family Division - FY 2008 Michigan Drug Court Continuation (SCAO) – Juvenile Drug
Court Grant - Application
E. Circuit Court/General Jurisdiction - FY 2008 Michigan Drug Court Continuation Grant Program
Through the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) Adult Drug Court Grant - Application
F. Circuit Court / Friend of the Court FY 2008 – Cooperative Reimbursement Contra ct Application
G. Sheriff’s Office – FY 2007 Jail Alliance with Support for Inmates with Co -Occurring Disorders Grant
Application
H. Economic Development & Community Affairs Department – Planning & Economic Development
Services – 2007 Rouge Green Corrido r Identify Demonstration Project – Phase 2 Grant Application
I. Economic Development & Community Affairs – Marketing & Communications/Arts & C ulture – FY
2008 Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Administration Program Grant Application
J. Department of Information Technology – CLEMIS Funds – Financial Statements and Schedules for
the Six Months Ended March 31, 2007
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June 7, 2007
K. Notice of Hearing to Request an Industrial Exemption Certificate for FACTON Inc. Located at 3250
University Dr., Suite 105, Aub urn Hills MI 48326
Middleton moved to receive and file Communications A - K. Supported by Greimel.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Rogers asked that budget hearings be scheduled for all departments.
There being no other business to come before the committe e, the meeting was adjourned at 10:32 a.m.
________________________ _______________________________
Helen A. Hanger Lawrence M. Doyle
Senior Committee Coordinator Administrative Director
NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.