Wednesday,
February 16, 2005
Dinner Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Red Lion Colonial Hotel
Helena, Montana
Budget Report: Bill Nyby, MACo Fiscal Officer, reported on the
status of MACo’s budget through January 2005. Revenue collections are at 72% of
anticipated while expenditures are at 53% of what was budgeted. Nyby noted that
revenue from conferences was up, interest revenue was down and member expense
was over budget. President Kennedy asked that the Committee chairs be asked to
estimate their expenditure requests for FY 06 and provide justification. He
also requested that expenses for each committee be reported. Finally it was
noted that health insurance appeared to be over expended. It was suggested that
this might be driven by the reporting of the 4th quarter of the
prior year (FY 04) in the current year. Gordon indicated that he would get
together with Patti and sort it out. Fiscal Officer Nyby also requested that
the Board provide the Budget Committee direction in budgeting for retirement in
FY 06.
Legislative Report: Gordon Morris, MACo Executive Director, and Harold
Blattie, MACo Assistant Director, provided briefs on significant legislation.
The Local Option Tax bill (SB 184) and the appropriations for county attorney
salaries at a true 50% were discussed. Handouts
on the status of MACo bills and selected sections from the Public Defender bill
(SB 146) were given. The Sheriffs and
Peace Officers were seeking to add detention officers to the Sheriffs’
Retirement System. The Executive Committee has recommended MACo not take a
position on the bill.
Executive Session
Discussion: Actions going forward
toward retirement.
Other Business: President Kennedy noted that the Association would
be recruiting for an Executive Director through an open promotion. A committee
of 8 board members, chaired by 1st VP Kaercher has been appointed to
review the job descriptions and make recommendations to the Board at a meeting
to be scheduled in late April or early May.
Board member Davey
thanked the Executive Committee, Board members and the counties in general for
supporting the resolution requesting the Governor to take steps necessary to
protect the health and safety of Montana cattle herds relative to BSE.
President Kennedy reported to the Board that Executive Committee members have been very active in this first half of the session. He specifically thanked Doug Kaercher and John Prinkki. Kennedy closed by noting how important it is in terms of telling “our story” to have commissioners present. President Kennedy closed by thanking Gordon and Harold for doing an excellent job.
Board member Schulz
noted that Representative Barrett is not going to attempt to get HB 133 off the
table in Local Government. The Bill had become a political football absent of
common sense and Madison County accepts that decision and recommends letting it
go.
With no further business, the Board adjourned at 9:30 pm.