Minutes 05-27-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Jacobs suggested that if the revenue in the Register of Deeds department is exceeded, then the excess could go toward back-scanning. Commissioner Pelissier asked if the e-recording of documents would save a tremendous amount of time and if this is a common practice. Joyce Pearson said that some counties do this, but not many. She said that in the beginning, it would take more staff time. • Department on Aging Michael Talbert said that this department is going through changes with the upcoming retirement of Jerry Passmore. The budget is just short of $1.5 million, which is a reduction of $150,000. There are some service delivery changes, reduction in administration and operating expenses, elimination of evening and weekend senior center hours, reduction in postage for The Senior Times, reduction for Elder Care, and discontinuing of the telephone reassurance program. Frank Clifton said that the evening hour issue has been addressed by both Friends' groups, who have raised their own funds to keep the evening hours. Also, transportation has been separated out and this will now fall under Planning. Kathie Kearns from the Department on Aging was available to answer questions. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 3-5 and the Farmer's Market Outreach Program and asked if this included multiple farmers' markets and it was answered that it is. Commissioner Jacobs asked more clarifying questions, which were answered by Kathie Kearns. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 3-12 and the Facility Use Policy. He said that this has been promised the Board of County Commissioners for about two years and he would like to get this policy. If this policy would cover the costs, then it should definitely be done. • Animal Services - Section 4 Paul Laughton reviewed the changes in services. There will be a reduction in the overall budget of $113,000 this year. This includes the elimination of a vacant Administrative Assistant I position. There are also reductions in the in-house sterilization, non-pertinent and seasonal staffing, vet services, healthcare supplies, animal supplies, and medical supplies. The revenues are increasing by approximately $120,000 as a result of the animal tax, pet registration, and the sterilization fee. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 4-4 and the placement rate. He congratulated the department on this increase. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 4-6 and suggested looking into an amnesty program to get more people into the program. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 4-7 and asked about the protocols for wildlife and dead deer responses. Animal Services Director Bob Marotto said that they restrict services to health and safety of animals and they refer other calls to wildlife organizations, pest control companies, or wildlife rehabilitators. With respect to deceased animals, the Animal Services Department does not remove them, but refers to the Department of Transportation or Public Works. Commissioner Jacobs said that a citizen called him to complain that the County was doing away with the low-cost rabies clinics and it was answered that the fee has been increased and the program still exists.