COUNTY OF DUKES COUNTY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
A regular meeting of the County of Dukes County Commissioners was held on Wednesday, June 13, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. in Courtroom of the Courthouse, notice of such meeting having been posted as required by law.
Commissioners Present: Leslie H. Leland, Chairman
E. B. Collins
Roger Wey
Leonard Jason, Jr.
Robert Sawyer
Daniel Flynn
John Alley
Also Present: Carol Borer, County Manager
Marsha Smolev, Executive Assistant
William Weibrecht, Airport Manager
Sean Flynn, Assistant Airport Manager
Sheriff McCormack
Noreen Flanders, County Treasurer
Dianne Powers, Register of Deeds
Tad Crawford, Health Council
Cynthia Mitchell, Health Council
Murray Frank, Health Council
TJ Hegarty, County Rodent Control Officer
Sandra Lothrop, Associate Commissioner
Anson Krickl
Chairman Leland called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Commissioner Flynn Moved to Approve the Minutes of May 9, 2001. Commissioner Sawyer Seconded the Motion. The Minutes were Accepted as written with Commissioner Alley abstaining due to absence.
The County Manager continued the FY 2002 Budget review by distributing an updated accounting of funds. The Budget shows an overall increase from FY 2001 of 6% following transfers from the Supplemental Budget in March and April. A Fund Balance Report was also distributed.
The Health Council was present for the discussion of Department 1510. The Health Council distributed their request for $75,000. Tad Crawford, Health Council Treasurer presented an updated budget proposal. Discussion followed. Part A of the Phase 3 Health Plan is due to be completed by the end of October. This part of the Contract is for $30,000. Mr. Crawford requested $5,000 from the County to put toward Operating costs of the Health Council, Department 1510.
Commissioner Sawyer Moved that the County provide $5,000 for the Health Council to use for Operating Costs. Commissioner Wey Seconded the Motion. Discussion followed about where to find those funds in the Budget. The County Manager was asked to take the money from the Unreserved Fund Balance. The Vote to pass the Motion was Unanimous.
Ms. Mitchell asked for an explanation of the Budget process and wondered about the process that would be used should the County want to commit funds greater than the 2-½ Town assessment base budget. Discussion about Town overrides followed. Ms. Mitchell encouraged the County Commissioners to expand services and go back to the Towns for additional funds if need be.
Mrs. Borer reviewed the Revenue Worksheets for FY 2002 line by line. Revenues in several lines of FY 2001 were already above what was projected: Beach permits, Cape and Island License Plates.
There was discussion about how to charge for Rodent Control Services. Some suggestions were charging the towns flat rates for municipal buildings. Commissioner Wey suggested billing the Boards of Health. Commissioner Alley supported a flat fee for towns, and some fee for businesses and residences. Other Commissioners agreed.
Revenue transfers from Deeds Excise were listed as $80,000 for FY 2002, the same as FY 2001.
Projected Airport Revenue is up. Fuel Fund in FY 2002 is projected to be $550,000, while it was $500,000 in FY 2001.
Commissioner Jason Moved that the County Commissioners adopt the Budget for FY 2002 with the exception of the Airport Department Budget, and including $5,000 for Health Council Operations. Commissioner Alley Seconded the Motion. The Vote to pass the Motion was Unanimous.
Commissioner Jason Moved to adopt the Budget for the Airport Department. Commissioner Alley Seconded the Motion. The Motion passed with Commissioner Flynn Abstaining.
Chairman Leland reported that Heather Sussman, Chilmark member, resigned from the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority. Chilmark Board of Selectmen recommended the appointment of Molly Flender. Commissioner Alley Moved that the County Commissioners appoint Molly Flender to the DCRHA. Commissioner Collins Seconded the Motion. The Vote was Unanimous. Ms. Flender’s term will begin immediately and expire on December 31, 2003.
The County Manager reported that on May 30, 2001, she and the Funding subcommittee met with Senator Rob O’Leary in Hyannis to review Barnstable’s projects. Barnstable has been successful in capturing additional revenue from Excise Taxes. Barnstable receives $5.70 for every $1,000 sale. The County of Dukes County receives $4.56. Mrs. Borer has been meeting with the Register of Deeds, Dianne Powers about this issue. Had the County of Dukes County received as much as Barnstable, the County would have received an additional $500,000 in Deeds revenues. This change would require Legislative action. The Sheriff, Treasurer, County Manager, and Register of Deeds will meet again with the Senator to review the advantages and disadvantages of duplicating Barnstable’s Legislation. Commissioner Sawyer stressed that this concept could be well received, since it is not a new idea. Barnstable is already doing it. Ms. Powers stressed the need to be sure that the additional money would come
to the County.
Mrs. Borer presented the letters to and from Donna Witte, FAA, pertaining to Cost Allocation funds. Mrs. Borer has asked the FAA to hold review of past six year’s reimbursements totaling $108,000 +/- for the County’s support to the Airport. $74,000 cost allocation from the Airport is for this year. The FAA approved the Treasurer’s allocation but disallowed the County Manager’s and Assistant’s costs. (They will need to provide time sheets). Mrs. Borer reiterated that the delay in the Budget was due to the wait for these decisions. Further, the FAA approved the Treasurer’s cost allocations for FY98, FY99, and FY00, totaling $117,000.
Discussion followed about the paragraph about reviewing costs for rent, in the FAA letter. Bill Weibrecht reported that the fair market values of County buildings and other non-aeronautical buildings are being appraised. Discussion followed about the Communications Center. Commissioner Jason recalled that there was an understanding that the Communications Center could be at the Airport in return for service. Airport Manager Bill Weibrecht said perhaps, but he needed to wait for the appraisals and documentation. Commissioner Jason expressed concern that history would be rewritten. Commissioner Alley recalled that the Airport paid for the Comm Center. Sean Flynn said the FAA always had this rule. Perhaps the County Commissioners didn’t know it at the time. Sheriff
McCormack voiced concern that this would affect his budget that he just sent to the State. Commissioner Alley said he believed if a regional service was provided, a building could be at the Airport without charge for rent. Discussion continued.
Mrs. Borer mentioned that the County Commissioners will need to discuss the possibility of appointing County Police.
Mrs. Borer recommended that the reimbursement for mileage be raised to 33 cents to be close to the IRS reimbursement of 34.5 cents. Commissioner Alley Moved that the reimbursement for mileage be changed to 35 cents. Commissioner Flynn Seconded the Motion. The Vote to change the Mileage reimbursement to 35 cents was Unanimous.
Commissioner Jason Moved that the meeting adjourn. Commissioner Sawyer Seconded the Motion. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.
Complete text of meeting is available on tape at the County Commissioner’s office.
__________________________________
JOSEPH E. SOLLITTO, JR.
CLERK OF THE COURTS
| 
