Commissioner Lyle Onken offered the following resolutions and moved for their adoption:

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-12-29-01
A Resolution Authorizing the County Auditor to Designate
County Revenue Fund Reserves for Employees Benefits

WHEREAS, In 2004 Murray County converted its financial reporting to meet the requirements of GASB 34 and closed the Flexible Spending Account Fund to the County Revenue Fund; and
WHEREAS, The Murray County Auditor has continued to maintain a separate balance for flexible spending within the County Revenue Fund; and
WHEREAS, Murray County received a Tobacco Settlement of $21,265.46 in 2005.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the County Auditor is authorized to annually maintain amounts for flexible spending and tobacco settlement within the County Revenue Fund.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the amounts are to be designated on the County Revenue Balance Sheet as Employee Benefits.

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-12-29-02
A Resolution Authorizing the County Auditor to Designate
County Revenue Fund Reserves for Capital Improvement/Equipment

WHEREAS, In 2004 Murray County converted its financial reporting to meet the requirements of GASB 34 and closed the Building Fund to the County Revenue Fund; and
WHEREAS, Capital Equipment Carryover designations are made annually by the County Board; and
WHEREAS, Capital Equipment Notes are tracked manually by the County Auditor commencing in 2003 with the sale of $810,000 of capital equipment notes; and
WHEREAS, The Murray County Auditor has continued to maintain a separate balance within the County Revenue Fund for Capital Improvements (buildings).
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the County Auditor is authorized to annually maintain the amounts for Capital Improvements (buildings) and Capital Equipment Notes within the County Revenue Fund.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the County Board would annually set the Capital Equipment Carryover amount at its year end meeting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the amounts are all to be designated on the County Revenue Balance Sheet as Capital Improvement/Equipment.

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-12-29-03
A Resolution Authorizing the County Auditor to Designate
County Revenue Fund Reserves for Sanitation
WHEREAS, In 2004 Murray County converted its financial reporting to meet the requirements of GASB 34 and closed the Sanitation Fund to the County Revenue Fund; and
WHEREAS, The Sanitation Fund contained separate balances for SCORE, Tri-County Recycling, Landfill, and Solid Waste Assessment; and
WHEREAS, Murray County has continued to maintain the separate balances within the County Revenue Fund.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the County Auditor is authorized to annually maintain the SCORE, Tri-County Recycling, Landfill, and Solid Waste Assessment balances within the County Revenue Fund.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the separate amounts are to be designated on the County Revenue Balance Sheet as Sanitation.

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-12-29-04
A Resolution Authorizing the County Auditor to Designate
County Revenue Fund Reserves for Parks

WHEREAS, In 2004 Murray County converted its financial reporting to meet the requirements of GASB 34 and closed the Parks Fund to the County Revenue Fund; and
WHEREAS, The Parks Fund contained separate balances for County Parks, End-O-Line Railroad Park, and Parks Endowment; and
WHEREAS, The Murray County Auditor has continued to maintain separate balances within the County Revenue Fund.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the County Auditor is authorized to annually maintain the County Parks, End-O-Line Railroad Park, and Parks Endowment amounts within the County Revenue Fund.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the amounts are to be designated on the County Revenue Balance Sheet as Parks.

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-12-29-05
A Resolution Authorizing the County Auditor to Designate
County Revenue Fund Reserves for Economic Development

WHEREAS, In 2004 Murray County converted its financial reporting to meet the requirements of GASB 34 and closed the Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund to the County Revenue Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Murray County Auditor has maintained a separate balance within the County Revenue Fund for Economic Development Revolving Loan.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the County Auditor is authorized to annually maintain an amount for Economic Development Revolving Loan within the County Revenue Fund.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the amounts is to be designated on the County Revenue Balance Sheet as Economic Development.

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-12-29-06
A Resolution Designating County Revenue Fund Reserves

WHEREAS, Fund designations for Future Expenditures of $2,500,000 were made in 2003, for Human Services of $243,300 in 2000, and for Insurance Contingencies of $100,000 in 1990, and
WHEREAS, The Murray County Board would review the fund designations annually heretofore.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that 2005 County Revenue Fund reserves are designated for Future Expenditures at $2,500,000 and for Human Services at $243,300.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Insurance Contingencies designation be removed.

The foregoing resolutions were duly seconded by Commissioner William Sauer and thereupon being put to a vote all members of the Board voted for their adoption.

It was moved by Lyle Onken, seconded by William Sauer, and passed to set the annual capital equipment carryover amount from the unused 2005 budget and prior year carryovers:

  Chris Hansen met with the Board during the discussion of the 2005 budget amendments.  Gary Spaeth asked Chris to attend the meeting regarding an end of year request from the SAWSC for an additional appropriation for paying engineer costs, Commission members per meeting pay, mileage, and miscellaneous expenditures.  Chris requested $130,281.25, plus and an additional $233.02 to cover year-end accrued per diem.

It was moved by Kevin Vickerman, seconded by Lyle Onken, and passed to authorize an appropriation of $130,281.25, plus $233.02 for year-end per diem, to the Shetek Area Water and Sewer Commission.

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Lyle Onken, and passed to amend the 2005 Budget as follows:

Chris Hansen met with the Board during the discussion of the 2005 budget amendments.  Gary Spaeth asked Chris to attend the meeting regarding an end of year request from the SAWSC for an additional appropriation for paying engineer costs, Commission members per meeting pay, mileage, and miscellaneous expenditures.  Chris requested $130,281.25, plus and an additional $233.02 to cover year-end accrued per diem.

It was moved by Kevin Vickerman, seconded by Lyle Onken, and passed to authorize an appropriation of $130,281.25, plus $233.02 for year-end per diem, to the Shetek Area Water and Sewer Commission.

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Lyle Onken, and passed to amend the 2005 Budget as follows:

(Previously approved 2005 Budget amendments)

Gary Spaeth would inform Caryl Busman that her budget request to add a part-time position in 2006 was approved in the Museum budget but that the hiring would still need Board approval.

Jon Bloemendaal met with the Board to recommend that the solid waste assessment be set at 75% of the level established in 1992.

Commissioner William Sauer offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-12-29-07
A Resolution Setting the Solid Waste Assessment for 2006

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 04-11-96 reaffirmed the establishment of a Solid Waste Assessment for years after 1991; and
WHEREAS, Said Resolution states that the future years assessments may be modified or adjusted based upon circumstances existing in such future years
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Solid Waste Assessment for 2006 be set at 75% of the amount reaffirmed by Resolution No. 04-11-96.

The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Commissioner Kevin Vickerman and thereupon being put to a vote all members of the Board voted for its adoption.

Commissioner Lyle Onken offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-12-29-08
A Resolution Setting the E911 Assessment for 2006

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2003-02-18-02 established a ten year assessment for maintaining E911 rural address signs.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That said Resolution establishing a special assessment is hereby ratified at $2.50 for payable 2006 for all parcels requiring future maintenance of E911 rural address signs.

The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Commisisoner Kevin Vickerman and thereupon being put to a vote all members of the Board voted for its adoption.

Barbara Lewis met with the Board and presented a Memorandum of Agreement for signature regarding an election to its own MSRS Health Care Savings Account.

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by William Sauer, and passed to authorize the Chairman to sign the Memorandum of Agreement for the Elected Commissioners MSRS Health Care Savings Account as approved by the Employer in Policy #729.

Barbara distributed a packet of information from BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota regarding settlement of the Tow Distributing class action litigation.  Murray County recently received a settlement payment of $21,265.46 that was also identified in Resolution No. 2005-12-29-01.  No action was taken.

Barbara requested action to make direct deposit of payroll mandatory for all future employees and with a one-year window for existing employees.

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Lyle Onken, and passed to approve mandatory direct deposit of payroll for all future employees.

The Board would take up mandatory direct deposit of payroll for all existing employees after it can receive input from employees.

Barbara presented information regarding a Manatron tax software proposal that needs to be ratified by Murray County by the end of 2005.  Murray County belongs to the Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative (MCCC), which requested proposals on providing a tax software package after 2008.  Barbara indicated that MCCC would assess a $1/parcel penalty, plus a $49,500 penalty after March 1, 2006, if Murray County ratifies its Manatron proposal after 2005.  The County Auditor's office is not prepared to recommend ratification of the proposal at this time.  Murray County can stay with the present software provider, ACS, as a member of MCCC; switch to Mid-States Cooperative, a software provider that serves non-MCCC counties and has indicated that it would accept Murray County if it were to leave the MCCC; or ratify the MCCC's Manatron proposal.

Commissioner William Sauer offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-12-29-09
A Resolution Acknowledging Penalty on Ratification after 2005
of MCCC Tax Software Proposal from Manatron

WHEREAS, Murray County is not prepared at this time to make a decision on ratifying a tax software proposal that the MCCC has received from Manatron due to other considerations, and
WHEREAS, Murray County has two tax software options to choose from in addition to the Manatron proposal.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That Murray County acknowledges that a penalty would be assessed by MCCC of $1/tax parcel, plus $49,500 after March 1, 2006 if Murray County would ratify its proposal after 2005.

The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Commisisoner Kevin Vickerman and thereupon being put to a vote all members of the Board voted for its adoption.

Heidi Winter met with the Board to request approval of an Economic Development Revolving Loan Disbursement that has been recommended by the Murray County Economic Development Authority.

It was moved by Kevin Vickerman, seconded by William Sauer, and passed to authorize the disbursement of $15,000 from the Murray County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund to Scott Kleve of Hample's Appliance, Inc. in Slayton at 4% interest for five years.

Jean Christoffels presented rezoning requests for approval on four tracts of land in Mason Township and one tract in Lake Sarah Township.  The Board received minutes from the December 15, 2005 public hearing on these rezoning requests, which included the findings of the Planning Commission.

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Kevin Vickerman and passed to accept the findings of the Planning Commission to rezone four tracts of land in Mason Township and one tract in Lake Sarah Township.

Commissioner Kevin Vickerman offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-12-29-10
A Resolution Setting County Commissioner Salary and
Adopting Schedule of Per Diem for 2006

BE IT RESOLVED, that the annual salary for 2006 for Murray County Commissioner be set at $17,304.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following Schedule of Per Diem of $75 is hereby established for 2006:

Boards, Committees, or Commissions of county government, including Committees of the Board

Authorization for Board members, as Committees of one or two, for regional and joint powers meetings

The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Commissioner Lyle Onken and thereupon being put to a vote all members of the Board voted for its adoption.

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Lyle Onken, and passed to set 2006 per meeting pay at $50 for the Hospital Board.

Kevin Vickerman brought up for discussion appointments to Shetek Area Water and Sewer Commission that have terms expiring December 31, 2005.  After conferring with Paul Malone, it was decided that individuals with expiring terms serve until they are reappointed by the Board or their replacement is named.  No action was taken.

Gary Spaeth was asked to contact Slayton City officials with an invitation to attend a meeting to discuss the parking situation on the street east of the Government Center.

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Lyle Onken, and passed to close the meeting at 11:15 a.m. for labor negotiation strategy involving five collective bargaining agreements.

Robert Klingle and Paul Malone were present.  The Chairman reopened the meeting to the public at 11:27 a.m.

It was moved by William Sauer, seconded by Robert Moline, and passed to authorize signing five collective bargaining agreement contracts.

It was moved by Lyle Onken, seconded by William Sauer, and passed to increase the start on the 2006 classification pay scale by 3% and maintain 2½% between each step for all job classifications not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Kevin Vickerman, and passed to provide the same increases to all salaried (exempt) employees of 5 ½% if they are not, and 3% if they are, at top of scale.

It was moved by William Sauer, seconded by Lyle Onken, and passed as follows:

to set the 2006 salary for the County Engineer at $79,768

to set the 2006 salary for the County Auditor/Treasurer at $62,772

to set the 2006 salary for the County Sheriff at $59,220

to set the 2006 salary for the County Recorder at $56,088

to set the 2006 salary for County Manager of Information Systems and Veteran Service Officer/Safety Coordinator/Emergency Management Director at $51,384

to set the 2006 salary for County Attorney at $50,676

to set the 2006 salary for Assistant County Attorney at $41,460

to set the 2006 salary for County Economic Development Director $42,216

to set the 2006 salary for Hospital Director of Nursing at $70,512

to set the 2006 salary for Hospital Director of Respiratory Therapy at $56,576

to set the 2006 salary for Hospital Director of Environmental Services at $50,856

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by William Sauer, and passed to hire Andrew Kleven as a full-time Deputy Sheriff, effective January 3, 2006 at Year 5 on the 2006 pay scale at $18.47 an hour.

It was moved by Lyle Onken, seconded by Kevin Vickerman, and passed to adopt Policy No. 704 Deferred Compensation Plans.

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Lyle Onken, and passed to close the meeting at 11:42 a.m. under attorney-client privilege to discuss potential litigation involving a claim for reimbursement.

The Chairman re-opened the meeting to the public at 11:55 a.m. and Paul Malone reported that he updated the Board on a letter received from Avera McKennan Hospital requesting reimbursement of costs on one of its local physicians.

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Lyle Onken, and passed to set the 2006 per meeting pay at $60 for the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment.

It was moved by Kevin Vickerman, seconded by Lyle Onken, and passed to set the 2006 per meeting pay at $40 for citizens appointed to do committee work.

The Commissioners gave their committee reports.

Alfred Gertsema reported on RSVP (Donated) November 17, Heron Lake Watershed Tour November 22, Road Tour November 23, Hospital Finance November 28, Special Hospital Meeting December 1, Hospital Meeting December 9, Ditch Meeting December 13, Regional Solid Waste and Rural Energy Board December 14, Hospital Finance December 15, RSVP (Donated) December 16, Hospital Meeting December 20, Special Retreat Meeting December 21, Hospital Executive December 22, Hospital Personnel and Shetek Medical Services December 27, Special Board Meeting December 29.

Robert Moline reported on Extension Lake Wilson November 18, Heron Lake Watershed Tour November 22, Road Tour November 23, Special Hospital Meeting December 1, Waste Energy Meeting December 2, AMC Conference December 4-7, SWCD December 8, Labor Negotiations December 12, Ditch Meeting December 13, Planning Commission December 15, Extension Interviews December 16, Hospital Meeting December 20, Special Retreat Meeting December 21, Labor Negotiations December 22, Special Board Meeting December 29.

Lyle Onken reported on Hospital Finance November 28, Special Hospital Meeting December 1, Hospital Executive December 2, 5 and 9, Ditch Meeting December 13, Hospital Meeting December 20, Special Retreat Meeting December 21, Hospital Executive December 22, Shetek Medical Services and Hospital Personnel December 27, Special Board Meeting December 29.

William J. Sauer reported on Parks Board November 16, Extension Lake Wilson November 18, County Ditch 40 November 21, Heron Lake Watershed Tour November 22, Road Tour November 23, County Ditch 40 November 25, Special Hospital Meeting December 1, Waste Energy Meeting December 2, AMC Conference December 4-7, Area II Legislative Breakfast December 10, Labor Negotiations December 12, Plum Creek Library and Ditch Meeting December 13, Building Consultant December 15, Extension Interviews December 16, CWP and Hospital Meeting December 20, Special Retreat Meeting December 21, Labor Negotiations December 22, Special Board Meeting December 29.

Kevin Vickerman reported on RCRCA November 21, Road Tour November 23, Special Hospital Meeting December 1, AMC Conference December 4-7, Area II Legislative Breakfast December 10, Ditch Meeting December 13, RCRCA December 19, Hospital Meeting December 20, Special Retreat Meeting, Special Board Meeting December 29.

It was moved by Lyle Onken, seconded by Robert Moline, and passed to approve the Commissioner Vouchers and authorizing William Sauer as a committee of one to meet with a building consultant.

The meeting adjourned at 12:13 p.m.