MACo DISTRICT 2 MINUTES
August 24, 2005
District 2 Chairman Mark Rehbein called the meeting to order.
Dawson County discussed Union issues. With three unions representing Dawson County employees, and at a cost of a mediator at $5,000 per union and the possibility of another union coming on line, the cost is pricing Dawson County out of business. Bill LaBree questioned what other counties do and if Dawson could possibly join with other counties to save dollars.
CSA and Black Mountain computer programming and the cost to counties were discussed, as were ballot counting machines and funding from the state.
County budgeting was discussed in that McCone County has noticed that Entitlement and Personal Property reimbursements have decreased.
Harold Blattie, MACo Assistant Director, noted that the MACo Health Insurance Trust is up and going. The first financial report was good. Eight counties have signed on. The MACo Conference was discussed. Harold recommended staying for the last day session for certification.
The MACo Executive Committee met last week and reviewed the by-laws. The Executive Director position was discussed. Harold is filling in for the half year until the executive director position is filled. A number of applicants have applied for the position. Harold discussed the transition to the retirement of Gordon Morris. Everything is progressing very well.
The Fort Peck Road projects were discussed. County employees do not need to be paid Davis-Bacon wages, but there is confusion as some are being paid with federal funding. Jack Holstrom is researching it. Harold commended the counties that worked to get the funding for the lake access roads.
Ray Barnicoat, MACo Risk Manager, discussed the transferring of worker’s compensation claims in-house rather than third party (AFC). A savings will be realized in fees from services. MACo is in the process of working on an agreement with the Municipal Association, which, when combined with their computer system, will save on costs. In the long range plan, a firm in Helena will custom program for a fraction of what MACo is now paying for service fees. Eventually we will own the program. The stability of the program/pool was discussed, as was the new building for the program. All will be discussed at the MACo Annual Conference. The trustees will make the final decision. Ray noted that he does go out to the counties in Eastern Montana.
The memo from Jack Holstrom regarding HB 108 in respect to independent contractors was discussed. It was noted that exemptions must be dated April 28, 2005. The Department of Labor and Industries has the list of independent contractors. Contact Jack if there are any questions on this.
Harold discussed the Permissive Mill Levy. He recommended never lowering it. A couple of counties have and are in a dire situation now.
Century Tel for Enhanced 9-1-1 Dispatch was discussed. Clarification of wording must be made before counties can sign the contract. Harold is very disappointed with the PSA as they are not looking out for consumers. Rural addressing was also discussed.
The Western Counties Alliance was discussed. It is an organization of counties formed to be more proactive in getting PILT fully funded. There will probably be a representative from the Alliance at the MACo annual meeting. Harold reassured the commissioners that NACo is doing exactly the right things with working with Congress and PILT funding. Connie Eissinger reported on Western Interstate Region issues.
Big Fish PR, who is contracting with counties to do ADA Handicap Accessibility, was discussed.
Election of officers for District 2 took place, with Mark Rehbein elected Chairman and Bill Leach elected Vice-Chairman. Julie Jordan was elected to represent District 2 on the Workforce Investment Board.
The meeting was adjourned.