The Dodge County Board of Commissioners acted on recommendations from county manager Kelly Bowen that will save the county money and cut costs from the 2012 budget. Dodge County is currently in a financial crisis and the board of commissioners has been evaluating the current budget to financially improve the operating costs of the county.
In their regularly scheduled meeting held on Monday, November 20, Bowen presented information to the board in an email dated November 4, 2011. The information included health insurance costs of all county employees, proposed furlough days for all county employees, overtime savings specifically in the EMS and E911 departments, monthly expense allowances of county elected officials and proposed changes to recurring monthly expenses such as phones, copiers and utility bills.
Bowen provided information to the county commissioners regarding health insurance costs. Bowen presented two options to the board of commissioners for consideration. Option 1 included having the employees who receive employee only, employee/spouse and employee/children coverage pay 25% of the premiums and those with family coverage pay 50% of the premiums. Based on the number and type of coverage, Option 1 would save the county an estimated $174,000.00 per year.
Option 2 included having the employees pay 25% of their premiums regardless of coverage type. Option 2 would save the county an estimated $121,000.00 per year.
Bowen provided information concerning the implementation of furlough days. Bowen informed the board of commissioners the employees currently receive 12 paid holidays, which include New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Columbus Day, and two days for Thanksgiving and two days for Christmas. Bowen recommended that five of the current 12 holidays be unpaid holidays. Bowen informed the board of commissioners by implementing five unpaid holidays, the savings to the county would be an estimated $50,000.00.
Discussion regarding the health insurance premium deductions and furlough days through five unpaid holidays was held. Commissioner Brian Watkins made a motion to accept Bowen’s recommendations, namely Option 2 regarding the health insurance premium deduction of 25% for all county employee health insurance premiums to be paid by the employees and to utilize five of the 12 paid holidays as unpaid furlough days. Commissioner Junior Howell seconded the motion. The decision to name the five holidays for unpaid furlough days was postponed and further discussions will be held at the December board meeting. Commissioner Karen Cheek asked Bowen to notify all employees by letter of these changes.
Bowen provided information regarding how public safety employees are paid for holidays. Bowen stated that public safety employees receive a check in December for holiday pay, which includes all 12 holidays, whether they worked on the holiday, or not. Bowen proposed that public safety employees be paid for the holidays they actually work and that the pay be given during the pay period in which that holiday falls. In addition, Bowen recommended the possible elimination of overtime for all departments including emergency medical services (EMS) and E911.
Discussion was held regarding public safety employees, which includes the sheriff’s department, E911 and emergency medical services. County attorney John Harrington recommended to the board that the discussions regarding public safety employees’ holiday pay and overtime for EMS and E911 be tabled until research could be reviewed regarding this item. The recommendations were tabled until the December meeting.
Bowen recommended discontinuing the monthly expense allowances to county officials. Currently the county pays monthly expense allowances of $200.00 per month to six officials. The monthly expense allowance is optional and is at the discretion of the county commissioners to provide this expense allowance. The five elected officials include John Kelly, probate judge; Rhett Walker, clerk of court; Jeff Hinson, sheriff; Kay Graham, tax commissioner and Lonnie Parkerson, magistrate. Chief Registrar Selma Grimes also receives the monthly expense allowance but is not an elected official. Bowen indicated that the elimination of the monthly expense allowances would save the county $14,400.00 per year. Discussion was held. Howell made a motion to accept Bowen’s recommendation and Cheek seconded. Motion carried.
Bowen informed the commissioners that a review has begun into the monthly recurring expenses such as copiers, phones, utility bills to determine best available pricing and savings. Bowen indicated updates would be forthcoming to the board.
In other business, attorney Harrington gave updates regarding the Local Optional Sales Tax (LOST). Harrington informed the board that negotiations have moved into the second phase of the 60-day period. Harrington stated that there is nothing that prevents the municipalities and the county to discuss without a mediator and discussions can be ongoing in the 60-day period. Watkins asked that a mediator be hired for the ongoing negotiations of the LOST. Discussion was held. Watkins made a motion to hire mediator Bryant Culpepper and the motion was seconded by Cheek.
Information was given regarding the revolving loan funds.
As of October 31, of the seven loans, four are current and three are delinquent.
A road name change request was submitted by Grady W. Vaughn to change a portion of the Jerry Farmer road to John Vaughn road. Cheek made the motion to accept the name change and Watkins seconded the motion.
Thanksgiving Proclamation
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be– That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks– for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation– for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed– for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted– for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions– to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually– to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed– to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord– To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us– and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
– George Washington
I say we cut the number of commissioners down to 2 one for north dodge and south dodge.... with the chairman to be the swing vote.... that would save a substantial amount of money and cut out alot of squandering.
Its not rocket science...its politics and you the establishment running Dodge county are failing miserably.