By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS – Cass County continued to move ahead in 2006.
In at least 16 ways, by County Administrator Terry Proctor's count Thursday.
"It's not a comprehensive list, but it hits the highlights," said Proctor, whose own performance evaluation has been favorably completed by the board.
Thirteen of the 15 commissioners appraised Proctor, who became the county's second administrator in 1990.
For each "content area" they assigned rankings from five (high) to one (low).
The tally shows: scores of four or better in public relations from 11 commissioners; employee relations (nine), relationship with board (12), leadership (10), communications (10), personal traits (12), goal achieving (12), fiscal management (11), decisioning making (12) and other (12).
Instances where he had scores of three or less were public relations (two), employee relations (three), relationship with board (one), leadership (two), communications (three), personal traits (one), goal achieving (one), fiscal management (two), decision making (one) and other (one).
Proctor noted the completion of the 10-year plan to end homelessness and the five-year update of the parks and recreation plan, which will "help us get grants for our parks department in the future."
The dog law enforcement ordinance was updated. "This board and a citizen committee worked hard on that project," Proctor said.
Thanks to the efforts of Sheriff Joe Underwood, judges, law enforcement, prosecutors and defense attorneys, the average daily jail count was reduced.
An energy study of five buildings was completed and implemented that is expected to save $32,000 over the next five years.
Proctor noted that County Clerk-Register Barb Wilson implemented new voting machines countywide.
"The proof in the pudding of that is that Cass County didn't make the national news for voting machines that didn't work or waiting in line for three days to vote. It went quite well in Cass County," he said.
Replacement jail controls were installed in the "new" facility that is now 16 years old. "It's technology driven and needed to be replaced," Proctor said. "Installing that was quite an accomplishment."
Health insurance costs remain "a big issue from local government to throughout our society," he said. "We were able to control our costs through arbitration. The arbitration award changed the way health insurance is funded in Cass County. Also, we sponsored an employee health and fitness day in May. And the county changed dental and prescription carriers as a way to get our drug costs lower."
Commissioners worked with the judiciary to reorganize Family Court and Friend of the Court administration and approved the Register of Deeds imaging system and automation of the office, "which is just a huge step forward," Proctor said. Clerk-Register Barb Wilson's office was also reorganized.
The Edwardsburg sewer was constructed under the direction of the county Board of Public Works.
Kingscott Associates was hired to conduct a feasibility study on reuse of the 1899 courthouse.
Cass County approved development of a five-year financial model for county government funds and approved an Internet solution to replace outdated jail software.
The county board continued to promote cooperation with another intergovernmental forum.
Animal Control and Health Department parking lots were recapped.
Another $7,500 was approved for a parking area at Russ Forest.
Video arraignment is about 75 percent installed in Fourth District Court, with equipment ordered for Circuit Court.
"Last but not least," Proctor said, "emergency management will become fulltime again. In conclusion, Cass County government moved forward during 2006."
Chairman Bob Wagel, R-Wayne Township, asked for the recap "because I think sometimes we get involved in making motions and resolutions and do not realize how much impact we're having."
At its last 2006 meeting, the commission bid farewell to three of its own.
Commissioner Dale Lowe, R-Niles, who lost his 2004 rematch with Democrat Debbie Johnson, recognized Treasurer Linda Irwin. "She has pulled the treasurer's office up by its bootstraps into a fine organization. Also, Barb Wilson. She's done a tremendous job and brought this county out of the dark ages into the 21st century. I commend her for that."
Lowe urged his fellow commissioners to interact more with officials, whether it's Drain Commissioner Jeff VanBelle or Veterans Adviser Fred Leet, the former commissioner.
"Poke your head in and say hi. I've never spoken to either one of them that they weren't appreciative. Dan Rajzer (Extension director), how many of you have ever stopped in to see him? He does a very good job for this county. And whoever's on the contract committee for our administrator, I certainly hope you make sure we don't lose him. He does a great job."
Lowe said five-year budget planning "is going to be one of the best tools you'll ever have, so look forward to it and take this county forward. It will give you some kind of idea where you're at so you're not taking a stab at it in the dark.
"The Kingscott Associates feasibility study for this courthouse: This dungeon in which we have kept our employees captive for a long time, needs a lot of work. It needs some way to look outside. I dare say the prisoners out at the jail have more daylight. I hope that somewhere along the line over the next two years that you commissioners and the commissioners-elect take a very close look at this because something needs to be done. With that, I say merry Christmas to all of you and the best of luck."
Commissioners Alan Northrop, R-Marcellus, and Jack Teter Sr., R-Edwardsburg, are finishing up four years of service on the county board.
"It's been a pleasure serving with the commissioners who are leaving," Commissioner David Taylor, D-Edwardsburg, commented.
"Commissioner Teter should be acknowledged for having always looked at the big picture and doing a lot of work early in his career on the board with pharmaceutical matters for the elderly and guaranteeing our community obtain a certain level of health insurance for employees of various employers. His looking at the big picture should be commended. Later on, we're all aware, some personal problems developed. He should be commended for being a good husband toward the end of his career" when his wife Marian had cancer. "He'll be sorely missed. Alan Northrop certainly always looked at the details of our finances and frequently brought forth issues that we didn't all see and he brought it to our attention for explanation. I think he should be commended for that detail. Finally, there's nobody better than Dale Lowe as far as long periods of hard work. It's been my pleasure to have served with all three."
In his last remarks of 2006, Chairman Robert Wagel, R-Wayne Township, noted that commissioners considered 166 motions and 29 resolutions.
"If you combine everything, we had 281 items of business we conducted. That averages about 23 items for each commissioner, Wagel said.
"It's been a pleasure to serve as your chair. I appreciate your support and stepping up to the plate when you're asked and assigned to committees. Everything flows smoothly when everyone works together. I know people said a 15-member board would never work together, but when this group works together we prove them wrong."
The 2007 reorganizational meeting takes place at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4.