The 2006 Budgets Public Hearing for the Calhoun County Board of Road Commission, Calhoun County Board of Public Works and Calhoun County Board of Park Trustee was held November 16, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. in their office located at 13300 15 Mile Road, Marshall, Michigan.

Present: Commissioner Chester E. Travis, Chairperson

Commissioner David D. Veramay, Vice-Chairperson

Commissioner Charles E. Monaweck, Member

Dennis Randolph, Managing Director

Joanna I. Johnson, Assistant Managing Director – Board Clerk

Pixie Coats, Human Resource Director

Angela Kline, Assistant County Highway Engineer

Kevin Henning, Finance Director

Also Present: Tom Frank, Albion Township Supervisor

Robert Brownell, Marengo Township Supervisor

Denny Smock, Fredonia Township Resident

Joseph Bramble, Convis Township Resident

Gardy Berezonsky, Marengo Township Resident

Paul Beardslee, Attorney – General Counsel

Jim Russell, Calhoun County Road Commission

Steve Ball, Calhoun County Road Commission

Robert Volkmer, Calhoun County Road Commission

Paul Adams, Calhoun County Road Commission

Dave Fuller, Calhoun County Road Commission

Chairperson Travis called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

PRESENTATION OF THE 2005 PROPOSED BUDGETS

Mr. Randolph gave a small introduction to the budget before introducing Mr. Henning, the Finance Director. Mr. Randolph stated that this was the 12 th budget he has brought before the Board. Two different changes have happened with the budget this year and they are:

•  Having a different team putting the budget together. Mr. Henning our Finance Director and Mrs. Johnson who really guided putting the budget together.

•  They have laid out a budget based on our philosophy of facts for safety and service for our citizens.

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Mr. Randolph stated that we don't have a bottomless pit of money to draw from. Since September 2001 our revenues have been flat. We are expecting a major report in about three weeks. Wayne State has been working on some crash data for us for the past six month and we will have another baseline to match the one we did in 1996.

The guiding philosophy we follow:

• That we consider the safety of our roads above all other factors.
• That we prioritize work based on facts and serving the greatest number of motorists.
• That we do road preservation and maintenance work in every township.
• That we manage our budget in a fiscally responsible manner in accordance with the law.

The facts we must deal with are as follows:

• Since September 2001 our funding has been flat.
• Until Michigan's economy turns around there are no changes expected in the funding trend.
• Of all the Counties in the State of Michigan we are the one most expected to do without significant County or Township financial help.

Our Accomplishments over the past 13 years are as follows:

• We have made significant improvements in road surface quality around the entire County.
• We have leveraged our local funds significantly with State and Federal funds.
• We have increased service to the public in general.
• We have taken a lead in developing a new paradigm for doing road work at the County level in the State of Michigan.

Mr. Randolph introduced Mr. Henning to give the budget reports.

Mr. Henning presented each budget.

Calhoun County Board of Road Commission 2006 Budget:

Our projection for our 2006 MTF is level with what we had in 2005. We show a pretty substantial decrease in 2006. Some may materialize as we wrap up 2005 as we begin to look at our 2006 project list. We didn't budget a lot of Federal Aid because we are still not sure as to where those dollars will go. This is a very conservative look at what our 2006 budget will look like. If we haven't clearly identified a revenue source then we haven't budgeted for it yet. We will be working on the fee schedule for the townships later this week. We will have budget revisions for the Board in early spring. Our revenue is pretty stagnate and our cash flow is tight.

Calhoun County Board of Park Trustees 2006 Budget:

Our projected budget is based on the grants coming in to cover the expenses. The match will come from the non-motorized revenue. The County contribution was $2,000.00 and the finance department is trying to track where that was coded.

Calhoun County Board of Public Works 2006 Budget:

Soil Erosion, Permit fees and Solid Waste are what make up the budget for the Public Works Budget.

Mr. Henning asked if anyone had questions regarding the Proposed Budgets.