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Gallatin County Offsite Budget Hearing June 10, 2009
Description Offisite Budget Hearing June 10, 2009
Date 06/10/2009 Location County Commission
  
Time Speaker Note
9:11:12 AM Chairman White Call to Order. Present were Commissioners Murdock, Skinner, and White, and Acting Clerk to the Board Mary Miller, Finance Director Ed Blackman, Budget Coordinator Linda Leening, CAO Earl Mathers, and HR Director Cynde Hertzog
9:11:30 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman Presentation and Status of available funds based - April 2009. Submitted Overview of FY 2009 Over Baseline Requests labeled Exhibit 6-10-09 A-1, and Overview of Department Summary Listing FY 2010 Operating & Capital Budget Requests labeled Exhibit 6-10-09 A-2. Current estimates of revenue are short $782,340, when compared to $83,470,349 requested expenses.  
9:18:47 AM   Discussion between the Commission, Ed Blackman and CAO Earl Mathers
9:26:43 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman Continued presentation, submitted Fund Summary Recap FY 2010 Operating and Capital Budget requests labeled Exhibit 6-10-09 A-3, and FY 2010 Budget Timetable labeled Exhibit 6-10-09 A-4. The budget schedule will need to be amended to correlate with the new determination by the Department of Revenue. The taxable valuation will not be available until between August 25 and 31 from the Department of Revenue. The final budget will not be adopted until September 29.  
9:31:19 AM   Discussion and Questions
9:33:51 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman Continued presentation, submitted Mission Statement goals labeled Exhibit 6-10-09 A-5. There was no change in the Mission Statement or the vision this year. There were minor changes to the Long Term Goals and FY 2010 Budgetary Goals.  
9:41:53 AM Chairman White Recess
9:52:13 AM Chairman White Reconvene to meeting.
9:52:25 AM HR Director Cynde Hertzog Presentation, Health Insurance Options, No change in specific stop loss. Allegiance recommends the County stay with AIG. Alternate life insurance options are being explored and one possibility could save the County approximately $18,800. per year. This would also include the Employee Assistance Program. A recommendation to change will not be made at this time.
9:54:25 AM   Discussion between the Commission, Cynde Hertzog, Earl Mathers, and Ed Blackman
9:57:42 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman No change to the specific stop loss
9:57:59 AM Commissioner Murdock Comments, it is my understanding that right now with the whole package, and you've described it recommending that we stay with the stop loss, we pursue the life insurance, that we keep premiums the same and that we keep coverage the same for our employees?  
9:58:23 AM HR Director Cynde Hertzog Yes
9:58:23 AM Commissioner Murdock If that's all the case then I will do it in part, if that's how you want to do it? I'll move to accept your recommendation for no change in stop loss.
9:58:34 AM Commissioner Skinner Second
9:58:37 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
9:58:40 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman Allegiance recommends we stay with the current stop loss carrier, no increase in premiums It is recommended to stay at the current premium for all classes of employees.
9:59:19 AM Commissioner Murdock So moved.
9:59:22 AM Commissioner Skinner Second
9:59:36 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
9:59:48 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman Continued presentation, submitted Determination of permissive levy for group benefits labeled Exhibit 6-10-09 A-6.
10:01:23 AM   Discussion and Questions
10:03:00 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman All I want to do is make sure that the Commission's intent is to maintain the same number of mills, the same dollars as we had this year provided the formula comes up the way we estimated it. Just to make sure you intend to continue to levy that tax.
10:03:20 AM Commissioner Skinner So moved.
10:03:21 AM Commissioner Murdock Second
10:03:24 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
10:03:28 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman Discussion on the life insurance options and come back with final recommendation
10:03:44 AM Commissioner Murdock I'll make that motion with the understanding that it's going to be cheaper, not more expensive and that any savings would be put back in the reserve.
10:03:54 AM Commissioner Skinner Second
10:03:57 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
10:04:10 AM   Discussion between the Commission and Ed Blackman
10:05:15 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog Request by CAO Earl Mathers to move Nick Borzak to Facilities and Procurement Manager, as Department Head. The cost is $3,952. including fringe.
10:05:40 AM   Discussion between the Commission, Ed Blackman, and Earl Mathers
10:07:00 AM Commissioner Skinner Move to approve the increase out of the Facilities budget.
10:07:02 AM Commissioner Murdock Second
10:07:08 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
10:07:12 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog Procurement/Facilities- Move current temporary maintenance employee to regular employee coming out of existing budget.
10:07:47 AM Commissioner Murdock Does this money come out of the existing budget, just like the previous one?
10:07:52 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman Yes, it has been anticipated in the Facilities budget.
10:07:55 AM Commissioner Murdock So it doesn't add to the $782?  
10:07:57 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman That's correct.
10:07:57 AM Commissioner Murdock So moved.
10:07:59 AM Commissioner Skinner Second
10:08:02 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
10:08:05 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog County Administrator- Reclassification for Open Lands Coordinator Mike Harris- 3% increase for work environmental add on.
10:08:55 AM   Discussion between the Commission, Earl Mathers, Ed Blackman, and Cynde Hertzog
10:12:29 AM Commissioner Skinner I'll move to approve.
10:12:35 AM Commissioner Murdock Second
10:12:41 AM   Board discussion
10:13:28 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
10:13:31 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog DUI Task Force is requesting to increase Coordinator's hours from 43 to 45 or 46.  
10:13:56 AM   Discussion between the Commission and Ed Blackman
10:15:39 AM Commissioner Murdock I'll move to, we've spent too much time on this already, for $367.00.
10:15:45 AM Commissioner Skinner Second
10:15:49 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
10:15:52 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog Detention Center-Assistant Administrator. If posted in a range of experience Level 1 to 9, the cost would be from $56,449.00 to $65,073.00.
10:16:23 AM   Discussion between the Commission, Ed Blackman, Detention Center Administrator Brian Gootkin, and Cynde Hertzog. Ed Blackman recommends the Commission not approve until grant is awarded.
10:17:59 AM Commissioner Murdock I'll move to approve it contingent on the COPS grant that's coming in.
10:18:06 AM   Discussion between the Commission and Ed Blackman
10:18:47 AM Commissioner Murdock Comments, I'm going to withdraw the motion then, comments.
10:18:58 AM Commissioner Skinner I'm going to move to not fund.
10:19:00 AM Commissioner Murdock Second
10:19:03 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
10:19:10 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman Was that for both those positions?
10:19:13 AM Commissioner Murdock Yes, it was for 5 and 6.  
10:19:19 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog Fairgrounds- Increase Linda Blombeck's position from half-time to full-time. Increase overtime and fair temporary dollars and decrease Winterfest temporary.
10:19:38 AM   Discussion between the Commission and Ed Blackman
10:20:30 AM Fairgrounds Director Sue Shockley Comments, total increase would amount to $15,042.00.
10:21:58 AM   Discussion between the Commission, Sue Shockley, and Ed Blackman. Ed Blackman suggests postponing discussion until tomorrow.
10:24:25 AM Commission Agrees to postpone until the full Fair budget is considered. No action taken.
10:25:00 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog WIC Technician
10:25:07 AM Health Officer Stephanie Nelson Comments, this would increase a half-time position to a full-time position for a WIC Nutrition Technician. This would be picked up by the WIC budget, so there would be no additional cost to the taxpayer.
10:26:08 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman I would recommend that the Commission deny it pending the actual WIC numbers that will come later in the budget process.  
10:26:17 AM Health Officer Stephanie Nelson Comments, also suggests putting off for a decision until more information is received.  
10:26:56 AM Commissioner Skinner Move to deny.
10:26:57 AM Commissioner Murdock Second
10:27:01 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
10:27:17 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog Money for retirement for Health Officer Stephanie Nelson. No definite day set however, this would be for sick/vacation termination pay out.
10:27:55 AM Health Officer Stephanie Nelson Noting she did not submit her resignation and is just being proactive.  
10:28:41 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman Comments, the intent is for the Health budget to show adequate reserves to cover this expense.  
10:29:38 AM Commissioner Skinner Move to approve.
10:29:41 AM Commissioner Murdock Second
10:29:44 AM Commissioner Skinner Move to approve the retirement funding, comments.
10:30:00 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman 34363 and 41058.
10:30:11 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
10:30:19 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog Justice Court, reorganization after Wanda Drusch was appointed Justice of the Peace. They have promoted within and would like to promote 2 of the more senior employees. Because of this reorganization there will be savings of $5,388.00. There is no additional request and no decision is needed.  
10:31:51 AM   Discussion and Questions
10:32:20 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog Planning, promotion for Tom Rogers from Planner I to II.  
10:32:45 AM   Discussion between the Commission, Ed Blackman, and Earl Mathers
10:34:29 AM Commissioner Murdock I move that we approve it.
10:34:33 AM Commissioner Skinner Second
10:34:36 AM   Board discussion including Ed Blackman and Earl Mathers
10:37:19 AM   Motion passed 2:1. Chairman White opposed.
10:37:25 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog Sheriff, 4 deputy sheriff positions to be funded with the COP grant. This will be contingent upon receiving the grant.
10:37:38 AM   Discussion between the Commission and Ed Blackman. Ed Blackman recommended doing the same as they did with the Detention officers.  
10:38:44 AM Commissioner Murdock We don't want to jeopardize the COPS grant, so what should we do, deny it? Or approve it contingent'
10:38:49 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman That's my recommendation.
10:38:50 AM Commissioner Murdock Alright, so moved.  
10:38:52 AM Commissioner Skinner Second
10:38:53 AM   Board discussion including Ed Blackman
10:39:51 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
10:39:56 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog Weed, funding for seasonal employees
10:40:17 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman Comments, regarding grants.
10:41:39 AM Commissioner Skinner Move to approve contingent on the grant money coming in.
10:41:43 AM Commissioner Murdock Second
10:41:46 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
10:42:05 AM Chairman White Recess
10:55:12 AM   Reconvene to meeting.
10:55:48 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog Elected officials, Compensation Committee met and there was no decision made.  
10:56:02 AM Commissioner Murdock I would move that we don't do any Elected Official increases for this year, pending any more committee discussion.
10:56:12 AM Commissioner Skinner Comments, Second
10:56:16 AM   Board discussion including Ed Blackman
10:57:25 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
10:57:27 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog Wage adjustments for Deputy County Attorney- Two years ago a plan was submitted to increase employees on an annual basis.
10:57:49 AM   Discussion between the Commission and Ed Blackman. Ed Blackman recommends that they be treated the same as all other employees unless it is statutorily required.  
10:59:19 AM Commissioner Skinner Move to deny.
10:59:20 AM Commissioner Murdock Second
10:59:23 AM   Motion passed unanimously.
10:59:26 AM Human Resources Director Cynde Hertzog Classified employees, discussion in regards to keeping the matrix classification plan as is with no increases. There is no allowance for performance pay increases.  
10:59:44 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman Comments, the only time an increase would be allowed is if an employee is on a probation period.
11:00:07 AM Commissioner Murdock Discussion between the Commission, Earl Mathers, Ed Blackman, Treasurer Kim Buchanan, Cynde Hertzog, and Recording Supervisor Eric Semerad in regards to giving some latitude to any Department Head if they can find the money in the budget to fund an experience level increase based on performance.
11:12:27 AM Commissioner Skinner Move to approve consistency with staffs recommendation.
11:12:32 AM Commissioner Murdock Second
11:12:36 AM   Motion passed 2:1. Commissioner Murdock opposed.
11:12:45 AM Chairman White Union discussions
11:12:50 AM Finance Director Ed Blackman Requested an Executive session.
11:13:21 AM Chairman White Executive Session-Lunch
1:32:14 PM Chairman White Reconvene to meeting. Outside Agencies
1:32:56 PM   Discussion between the Commission and Ed Blackman
1:35:04 PM Chairman White Gallatin Council-Aging-No representation.
1:35:09 PM Chairman White Kate Lindsay-Befrienders requested $1,850.00 to pay for 185 hours of staff time.
1:37:23 PM Chairman White Food Bank-Not available.  
1:37:32 PM Chairman White West Galavan-No representation.
1:37:39 PM Chairman White Yvonne Begeman-Belgrade Friendship Center requested $$1,000.00 to update facilities.
1:39:26 PM Chairman White Tim Trizinski-Food Bank requested $2,982.00 to pay for food for the seniors.
1:42:56 PM Chairman White Three Rivers Senior Center-No representation.
1:43:05 PM Chairman White Manhattan Senior Center-No representation.
1:43:11 PM Chairman White Galavan-No representation.
1:43:14 PM Chairman White RSVP-Kelly Ziebarth requested an $8,400.00 to meet 30 percent local match.
1:47:35 PM Chairman White West Senior Center-Pierre Martineau
1:50:23 PM   Board discussion
1:50:46 PM Commissioner Murdock I am going to propose that we put several of these requests that we've heard from today in the Parking Garage. Those would be the West Senior Center, RSVP, Belgrade Friendship Center, Food Bank, and Befrienders.
1:51:46 PM Finance Director Ed Blackman  Explanation of the Parking Garage.
1:52:58 PM   Discussion between the Commission and Kelly Ziebarth
1:58:09 PM Commissioner Skinner I would move to put $10,000.00 in the Parking Garage to fund all the increases from all senior programs until we make a decision at a later time.
1:58:22 PM Commissioner Murdock Second
1:58:30 PM   Motion passed 2:1. Commissioner Murdock opposed.
1:58:43 PM   Discussion between the Commission and Ed Blackman
2:00:45 PM Chairman White Mental Health-A.W.A.R.E.-No representation.
2:00:58 PM Commissioner Skinner I would move to deny that request.
2:01:00 PM Commissioner Murdock Second
2:01:03 PM   Board discussion
2:01:16 PM   Motion passed unanimously.
2:01:21 PM Chairman White Libraries-Alice Meister, Bozeman Public Library Director
2:04:19 PM Commissioner Murdock I will move that we deny this request.
2:04:22 PM Commissioner Skinner Second
2:04:24 PM   Motion passed unanimously.
2:04:28 PM Chairman White Heart of the Valley-Margie Taylor
2:06:14 PM   Discussion and Questions
2:25:22 PM Commissioner Skinner I am going to motion to deny, I am going to move to deny the request.
2:25:27 PM Commissioner Murdock Second, and I will vote in favor of that motion with the understanding that we are going to be working on a mill levy number one and that I would still be willing to revisit this in August.
2:25:39 PM   Board discussion
2:26:25 PM   Motion passed unanimously.
2:26:33 PM Chairman White New Requests
2:26:56 PM Kerry White, President of Gallatin County Planning Board Gateway Water/Sewer
2:31:04 PM   Discussion between the Commission, Kerry White, and Ed Blackman
2:36:16 PM Commissioner Murdock I move that we fund the $15,000.00 Gateway study out of the Planning Board millage,
2:36:32 PM Commissioner Skinner Second
2:36:34 PM   Board discussion including Kerry White and Ed Blackman
2:42:00 PM   Motion passed unanimously.
2:42:18 PM   Discussion between the Commission, Kerry White, Earl Mathers, and Ed Blackman
2:43:32 PM Chairman White Hebgen Fire-Scott Waldron, Fire Chief  
2:45:55 PM   Board discussion including Ed Blackman and Scott Waldron
2:49:27 PM Commissioner Skinner  I don't doubt there's a need but I'm going to move to deny the request.
2:49:29 PM Commissioner Murdock Second
2:49:33 PM   Board discussion
2:50:25 PM   Motion passed unanimously.  
2:50:30 PM Chairman White Red Cross-Kathryn Holman
2:52:31 PM   Board discussion
2:53:42 PM Commissioner Skinner I'll move to deny.
2:53:43 PM Commissioner Murdock Second
2:53:46 PM   Motion passed 2:1. Commissioner Murdock opposed.
2:53:57 PM Chairman White Spay Neuter-No representation.
2:54:05 PM   Discussion between the Commission and Ed Blackman
2:56:16 PM Commissioner Murdock I am going to move to put another $1,000 into the spay neuter service, comments.
2:56:38 PM Commissioner Skinner Second
2:56:44 PM   Board discussion
2:57:06 PM   Motion passed unanimously.
2:57:18 PM Chairman White West Yellowstone-Summer Rec-Kate Wilson
2:57:35 PM   Discussion between the Commission and Ed Blackman
3:04:51 PM Commissioner Murdock I will move that we fund it.
3:04:54 PM Commissioner Skinner Second
3:04:58 PM   Motion denied 2:1. Commissioner Murdock voting aye.  
3:05:12 PM Chairman White Historic Preservation Board-Renee Koenig
3:07:14 PM   Board discussion
3:07:39 PM Commissioner Skinner Move to deny.
3:07:40 PM Commissioner Murdock Second
3:07:43 PM   Motion passed unanimously.
3:08:10 PM Chairman White Community Mediation Center-Connie Campbell
3:10:54 PM   Discussion between the Commission, Connie Campbell, and Ed Blackman
3:12:51 PM   Meeting adjourned.