COUNTY OF OSCEOLA

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MINUTES

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

301 West Upton

2^nd Floor, Board of Commissioners Room

Chairman Larry Emig called the meeting of the Committee to order at 9:00 a.m. for the purpose of reviewing the claims. Regular committee business began at 9:15 a.m.

Motion by Commissioner Sikkema, support by Commissioner Brooks to approve the agenda with additions. Motion carried.

Public comment: None.

Employee Comment: Rosie McKinstry, Equalization Department, shared information with the committee regarding a meeting set for October 9, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. with the township treasurers and BS & A. She welcomed them to attend if they are able.

Motion by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Tiedt to approve the committee minutes of September 18, 2007 as presented. Motion carried.

Recommendation by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Faber to approve the claims presented in the amount of $64,896.22. Recommendation carried.

Update on Scrap Tire Cleanup Grant Application

Dan Massey, OEA Director, advised the committee that he has completed the application for the Scrap Tire Grant and will need the board to approve the application prior to sending it to the state.

Recommendation by Commissioner Faber, support by Commissioner Brock to approve the tire cleanup grant application and authorize the Chair to sign. Recommendation carried.

MAC Service Corporation/ Presentation on Benefits

Kelley Mireles, from MAC Service Corporation, presented information on a new product offered by Mutual of Omaha for the Life and AD&D insurance as well as Short and Long Term Disability Insurance. She explained why they have chosen Mutual of Omaha’s product noting it is an all encompassing program rolled out this year. She explained how it will benefit our County as well as all counties administered through MAC Service Corporation. Mutual of Omaha has guaranteed they will be able to accommodate our current benefit plan and any future changes the County might like to implement. She also noted that benefit changes can be made at any time. In the past this has been a problem with our current carrier, Fort Dearborn Life. She reported the average turn around time for payment of claims is estimated at an average of 3.2 days. Their level of customer service is outstanding. She presented premium costs, for the same coverage currently in place, with a cost savings of approximately $8,069.52 over a two year period. Mutual of Omaha has guaranteed the rates presented for at least two years, which is significantly better than our present carrier. To change is simply filling out a one page application. The invoices would come directly from Mutual of Omaha and are sent 30 days ahead of time. Kelley, on behalf of MAC, is encouraging Osceola County to consider this change.

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Committee of Whole

Oct. 2, 2007

Recommendation by Commissioner Faber, support by Commissioner Brooks to change carriers from Fort Dearborn to Mutual of Omaha for the County’s Life & AD&D and STD and authorizing the County Clerk to sign necessary documents. Effective Dec. 1, 2007. Recommendation carried.

West Michigan Long Term Care Connection (WMLTCC)

Tom Czerwinski Director Area Agency on Aging, and Charles Logie, Jr. Executive Director for WMLTCC, were present to explain how the program, formerly known as Single Point of Entry, is developing. Osceola County is within a 12 county region, with the central office located in Muskegon. Mr. Logie reported they are in a 2 year demonstration plan and are currently half way through the plan. He reported option counselors sit down with those needing assistance and help determine the level of care required to meet individual needs. They are governed by a Consumers Advisory Panel along with a Board of Directors. They currently have 15 guidance counselors in place with a goal to place an options counselor in each county of the 12 county region. They believe this program will keep 40% of the population in their homes longer, which is where they prefer to be anyway. It also saves on Medicare costs. Beginning November 1, 2007 to get into a nursing home everyone must go through WMLTCC and meet with a guidance counselor.

County Summit

Jerry Lindquist, MSU Extension Director, and John Amrhenn, MSU District Educator for local government, were present to discuss the proposed County Summit. The summit would be sponsored by MSU, Osceola County and Osceola County Township Association and offers local government officials to get better acquainted and talk about issues going on within their units of government. The summit would be held at the Kettenun Center on November 28, 2007 with a nominal fee set for all those attending. All township, city, village and county officials would be invited to attend. MSU Extension is a key player in the success of these summits, acting as the facilitator. The summit begins with a one hour presentation from Mr. Amrhenn setting the stage for the individual work groups. A lengthy discussion was held regarding the time and date to actually hold this summit. At conclusion it was decided to go ahead with the scheduled date, but change the start time to the mid afternoon and early evening, hoping to accommodate more individuals’ schedules and offer an evening meal. Once the cost is determined the brochures will be sent out by MSU for registration. Discussion was also held on the possibility of the County helping offset the cost of the total registration of each participant.

Recommendation by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Brock to approve holding County Summit with County offsetting the cost by $5.00/partipant. Recommendation carried.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Representative Request

Ruthann Northon, Hinkle Witbeck Agency, was present at the request of the committee as another provider in Osceola County eligible to manage the BC/BS account for the County. She made a presentation as to customer service and what she felt they would be able to offer in this respect to the County and their employees. Ms. Northon let committee members know that Hinkle-Wibeck has two offices within the County-one in Reed City and the other in Evart. She would welcome employees to call with any questions they might have and would be willing to help them complete any forms they may need

assistance with. She also advised the committee that Michelle Adams at Hinkle Witbeck would be available to assist in Ms. Northon’s absence. Discussion was briefly held regarding employees having problems getting answers to their questions in the past. Ms. Northon advised she would try to immediately address their questions if at all possible, or get back to them as quickly as possible.

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Committee of Whole

Oct. 2, 2007

Pete Ermatinger, Key Benefit Resources/Agent of Record

Pete Ermatinger, current Agent of Record, for county insurance purposes was present with renewal rates. He reviewed the prescription drug plan, which is currently self-funded, noting that although the cost is up, he believes the County is still saving money compared to a BC/BS prescription drug card program. He recommended we continue with Pharmacare. He shared projected BCBS costs for year 2008. He approved the committee’s earlier recommendation to change our Life, AD&D & STD policies to Mutual of Omaha due to problems in the past with Ft. Dearborn. Mr. Ermatinger spoke about the experience rating changing with our MAC pooled group. Beginning in February 2009 BCBS will be adding a group rating for groups sized “50-99”, which we will fall within. Discussion was held on how to better get a handle on health care costs as costs continue to increase

Budget Amendments & Cash Transfers

Recommendation by Brooks, support by Sikkema to approve the following budget amendments and cash transfers presented.

Account Number Description Increase Decrease

Capital Grants 245.120.644.001 $ 5,000

Transfer In 245.120.695.000 $ 1,340

Equipment-Jail 245.903.970.032 $ 6,340

Contg.-Public Safety 101.890.999.002 $ 1,340

Transfer Out-Capital 101.965.999.028 $ 1,340

Approp. Fund Balance 280.120.699.001 $ 21,000

Transfer In 282.120.695.000 $ 21,000

Raw Foods 135 282.135.801.007 $ 11,000

Raw Foods 145 282.145.801.007 $ 5,000

Raw Foods 139 282.139.801.007 $ 5,000

Transfer Out 280.120.999.000 $ 21,000

120 FICA 282.120.719.000 $ 6,676

135 FICA 282.135.719.000 $ 4,406

145 FICA 282.145.719.000 $ 2,270

120 Retirement 282.120.720.000 $ 2,000

135 Retirement 282.135.720.000 $ 2,000

145 Perm. Employees 282.145.702.004 $ 2,200

145 FICA 282.145.719.000 $ 2,200

Cash Transfer of $21,000 from 280 Fund to 282 Fund.

Recommendation carried.

Road Commission Board Membership

Commissioner Sikkema spoke regarding the public hearing regarding the makeup of the Road Commissioner Board membership. He would like to move forward on this matter. Several other committee members agreed. After a brief discussion the following recommendation was made.

Recommendation by Commissioner Sikkema, support by Commissioner Faber to go to a five member Board for the Road Commission. Additional members shall be added to the Board through the election process in 2008. Recommendation carried.

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Committee of Whole

Oct. 2, 2007

Budget Update

Susan VanderPol, County Coordinator, shared the information on the 2008 projected budget. She along with County Treasurer, Carol Halladay, having met with Finance Chair, Dave Brooks, believes they will be ready to present a balanced budget to present to the Board shortly.

Mid Michigan Community Action Resolution

Commissioner Emig asked for the support of the resolution from Mid Michigan Community Action regarding reductions to funding for low income food program.

OPPOSITION TO REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF PARTICPANTS SERVED IN FEDERALLY FUNDED

FOOD COMMODITIES PROGRAM

WHEREAS, the State Board of Education has decided to reduce the number of people that Mid Michigan Community Action Agency can serve under the federally funded food commodities program that is distributed quarterly in our County; and

WHEREAS, this is not an overall reduction in federal dollars available but a decision by the State Board of Education to reallocate the County slots which have been in place since the inception of the program over twenty years ago; and

WHEREAS, this reallocation will severely penalize the low income County residents who are mainly senior citizens living on fixed incomes in our Northern Michigan Counties and the Upper Peninsula; and

WHEREAS, this program is crucial to the basic food needs of these low income County residents who make use of this program so they can make the most of their limited funds for other needs; and

WHEREAS, 40% of the 430 residents currently receiving quarterly food commodities in Osceola County will not receive this needed service,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that because there are no available alternative to this program for our County residents that we strongly object to the reduction of this critical program benefiting the low income residents of our County; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we wish to make this objection known to Governor Jennifer Granholm and our State Legislators and ask them to request that the State Board of Education rescind their decision and let the program distribution numbers remain as in the past and not take this food away from our people.

Recommendation by Commissioner Tiedt, support by Commissioner Sikkema to adopt. Recommendation carried.

The signage for the Health Department and Building Department looks to be moving forward. Both Commissioner Brooks and Emig continue to work on resolving this problem.

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Committee of Whole

Oct. 2, 2007

Union contract negotiations will begin soon. Commissioner Emig along with County Coordinator, Susan VanderPol, Commissioner Faber, as his work schedule allows, and Commissioner Brooks will be involved with that process. Commissioner Tiedt offered to assist as an alternate if needed.

Susan VanderPol, County Coordinator, advised committee members that she had just received correspondence from MMRMA regarding a case evaluation they recommend the County accept regarding litigation against a county employee. After brief discussion, it was agreed upon by committee members to have Susan, as a member representative, give concurrence on behalf of the County and official action will be taken by the Board on October 18, 2007.

Commissioner Sikkema asked if the committee still wants to take any action regarding the County’s insurance Agent of Record. After brief discussion the following recommendation was made.

Recommendation by Commissioner Sikkema, support by Commissioner Brooks to make a change in the Agent of Record for Osceola County to Ruthann Northon from Hinkle-Witbeck and review after one year. Recommendation carried.

Motion by Commissioner Brock, support by Commissioner Hoaglund to adjourn at 1:30 p.m. Motion carried.

____________________________ _____________________________

Karen J. Bluhm, County Clerk Larry Emig, Chairperson