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DRAFT 1085 REPORT
LB1085 requires that by January 1, 1998, each county board must examine the issue of property tax reduction through consolidation. The purpose of this report is to document the examination of Dakota County by the Board of Commissioners.
Dakota County met with Thurston and Dixon Counties twice in 1997 in regards to addressing LB1085. The first meeting was February 27, and the second on October 6, 1997.
While population and valuation figures greatly in how each county will address this bill, much discussion was held on the feasibility of merging services.
Where cooperative ventures are possible, it was the consensus that it is already being done. The remainder of this report looks at the county operations and the possibilities for consolidation within the county offices and with other counties. It should be noted that these are simply dollar figures which have been attached to ideas and suggestions that have come out at the joint meeting. This does not mean the county is or is not going to do any of the things suggested.
The three counties briefly discussed consolidation of all three counties into one. This was not felt to economically feasible. First, the cost of a new building would be prohibitive especially since all three current facilities are paid for. Secondly, there would be no appreciable savings through fewer employees. Most of the elected officials are working officials who wait on the public, so the position would be necessary even if it wasn’t filled by an "official."
Veterans Office
It might be possible to share one Veterans Service Officer between Dakota and Thurston County. Currently, Dakota County has a full time officer with one volunteer. The officer may also utilize the County Road Department Secretary.
If the officer would continue to use the County Road Secretary or possibly the Public Defender’s Secretary, then savings from consolidation might be as follows:
Assuming a split of three days for Dakota County and two days for Thurston County and basing the savings on 1997-1998 budget figures.
Salary $21,745.36 x 2/5 = $8,698.15 0100-803-00-1-0100 Retirement $1304.73 x 2/5 = 521.90 0100-803-00-1-0900 Social Security $1663.52 x 2/5 = 665.41 0100-803-00-1-1000 Subtotal $9,885.46
Meals $50 x 2/5 = $ 20.00 0100-803-00-2-1701 Lodging $300 x 2/5 = 120.00 0100-803-00-2-1702 Subtotal $ 140.00 TOTAL $10.,025.46
COUNTY COMMISSIONER
Elimination of the County Board Assistant.
If the board eliminated the assistant, savings would be as follows: Salary $21,745.36 0100-601-00-1-0301 Insurance 1,944.00 0100-601-00-1-0803 Retirement 1,304.73 0100-601-00-1-0900 Social Security 1,663.52 0100-601-00-1-1000 Subtotal $26,657.61 Those things that came from the County Clerk’s Office would revert to the County Clerk - agendas, budget, basic correspondence and the monthly operating expense and revenue statement. Other duties that would require someone to do are:
All of these duties would probably require someone part-time that could be here at least a few hours each day. The NIRMA Contact would be the most time consuming aspect. It is not a regular, daily thing but it can be at times.
Other things that have been done by the administrative assistant are: working on the comprehensive plan; bidding out and establishing working committees for phone system, health insurance and annual audit; assisting the Sheriff’s Department with grant administration; assisting in writing two grant applications; and miscellaneous other projects.
Changing Back to Three Commissioners from Five Commissioners
Changing back to three commissioners may or may not be feasible legally. If it could be done, it would most likely require a vote of the people. Reverting to three commissioners would save the salary and benefits of two board members. However, larger salaries for the three remaining commissioners due to additional committee duties especially if the board assistant was eliminated.
Current Salary is $11,730.00 for "part-time" work.
Elimination of two: Salary $11,730.00 x 2 = $23,460.00 0100-601-00-1-0104 Insurance $1944.00 x 2 = 3,888.00 0100-601-00-1-0803 Retirement 6% 1,407.60 0100-601-00-1-0900 Social Security 7.65% 1,794.69 0100-601-00-1-1000 Subtotal $30,550.29
Increased in Salaries - 3 full time (just doubling salary - not making it equal to other elected officials) Salary $11,730.00 x 3 = $35,190.00 Retirement 2,111.40 Social Security 2,692.04 Subtotal $39,993.44
County Clerk
Not much room for consolidation here, especially if the board assistant is eliminated and those duties revert to the county clerk and if the Register of Deeds was once again part of this office.
Assessor
The only possibility of consolidation in the Assessor’s office is by turning the duties of the Assessor’s office over to the state. This would save the taxpayers the entire budget of the Assessor’s office. The 1997-1998 budget is $229,190.65. This does not include postage, phone service, disability insurance, and the cost of having Great Plains Appraisal present for Board of Equalization or TERC Board hearings.
If the state took over the assessor’s office there would be a one time fee for the county to pay a portion of the employees vacation and sick leave that would be transferred over to the state. (All leave would be carried over, the county would only for a portion.)
County School Superintendent
This office has already been downsized to a contract for the minimum service already. The only additional savings would be through total elimination. This would save the entire budget of 5,100.00 and the hours put into this office by the road department secretary.
Election Commissioner
This office is already a part of the County Clerk’s Office.
Register of Deeds
If the Register of Deeds Office was once again combined with the County Clerk’ office a savings could be achieved.
Official’s Salary $11,730.00 0100-604-00-1-0100 Health Insurance 1,944.00 0100-604-00-1-0803 Retirement 703.80 0100-604-00-1-0900 Social Security 897.35 0100-604-00-1-1000 Subtotal 15,275.15
Additional Savings might include the part-time position used to cover the deputies vacation and sick leave.
Salary $ 1,860.00 0100-604-00-1-0405 Retirement $ 111.60 0100-604-00-1-0900 Social Security $ 142.29 0100-604-00-1-1000 Subtotal 2,113.89 Total $17,389.04
Planning and Zoning
No apparent savings through consolidation within the county. Has already been consolidated with the County Road Foreman Position.
Clerk of District Court
May have some savings since a full time position was filled with a part-time position. No data available. It is unknown if this is planned to be permanent.
County Court
District Judge
Public Defender/Court Appointed Attorneys/Legal Services
Ag Extension
This could be eliminated if wanted/needed to be. This would eliminate the extension budget in the general fund - $76,910.00. It may possibly eliminate the ag society (fair board) which is $67,611.93.
Weed Superintendent
Might be possible to contract with another county to share our Supt or theirs. Keep one seasonal employee to do the actual spraying and basic paperwork. The supervising duties would be included in the contract. This could possibly save the salary and the benefits of the superintendent (less the cost of the contract).
County Attorney
It has been suggested that the current part-time position of County Attorney be changed to full time.
The cost of a full-time county attorney at a salary of $60,000.00 annually would be as follows:
Salary $60,000.00 Insurance 1,944.00 Retirement 3,600.00 Social Security 4,590.00 Subtotal $70,134.00
Subtract from this the cost of the current part-time position: Salary $30,750.00 Insurance 1,944.00 Retirement 1,845.00 Social Security 2,352.00 Subtotal $36,891.00
Difference - $33,243.00
If one of the full-time positions was also eliminated with the change to a full-time attorneys, it would result in the following savings: Salary $25,000.00 Insurance 1,944.00 Retirement 1,500.00 Social Security 1,912.50 Subtotal $30,356.50
Additional savings might include bond for one person.
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