Chairperson Neuzil called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 5:30 p.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Mike Lehman, Terrence Neuzil, Sally Stutsman, and Carol Thompson.

Convened Public Hearing on proposed FY 2005 Johnson County Budget at 5:30 p.m.

Neuzil summarized Johnson County’s mission statement, and the County’s strategic goals and objectives. Budget Coordinator Jeff Horne gave a rundown of the budget process and summarized the budget. Lehman discussed the Public Safety service area budget. Neuzil summarized the Health and Human Services budget. Stutsman reviewed the Education and Environment service area budget. Thompson covered the County Administration service area budget. Harney summarized the Secondary Roads and Government Services to Residents service areas. Executive Assistant Mike Sullivan discussed Capital Projects. Horne explained the Debt Service levy. Horne reviewed sources of revenues, with the 2 largest sources being property taxes and intergovernmental revenues. Horne also presented a breakdown of the impact of the budget on taxpayers.

Reverend Bob Welsh asked what the most difficult decisions were for the Board to make in relation to the FY 2005 budget. Lehman said that the County gives HACAP money that they use as a match for Head Start but the Federal government defunded Head Start. Lehman said that there was no point giving HACAP the money since there was no Federal funding. Thompson said that the Board had to assume from the beginning that there would be losses in State funding. Horne said that the budget assumes about a half million in losses, but modifications will be made if needed. Welsh said that he was sorry to hear that the Capital projects budget was cut. Harney said it was difficult not knowing State cuts and trying to budget for departments so that they will have what they need. Harney said that he has great concern providing services to children, the disabled, and the elderly. Stutsman said that they knew starting out that it would be a tight year. She said that departments did an outstanding job with lean budgets but still providing services. She said that she would’ve liked to give more money to Conservation and to Ambulance. Neuzil said that Johnson County is fortunate because it is still growing. He said the most unique part of the budget was the strategic planning.

Welsh asked about the 3 positions that were added to the Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Department. Lehman said that the positions are administrative and are needed to run the department. Harney said that the Mobile Crisis Coordinator will interview people who come into the jail system to see if there are mental health issues. Stutsman said that 2 positions approved for MH/DD will look at processing individuals so that they aren’t sitting in jail. She said that the Intake Social Worker will determine services immediately. Stutsman said that there is currently only one Clinical Supervisor who works with 17 case managers, therefore another Clinical Supervisor was a needed position. Stutsman said that the new Contract Coordinator will work with providers on contracts. Horne said that the Board will approve the budget on March 11, 2004.

Public Hearing closed and meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.

/s/Terrence Neuzil, Chair, Board of Supervisors

Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor

By Casie Kadlec, Recording Secretary

These minutes were sent for publication and formal approval on March 11, 2004.