HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 6/11/2002Page 1 of 3 Executive Committee Minutes 06/11/02
117 East Fifth Street ▪ Washburn, WI 54891 ▪ markaa@bayfieldcounty.org
Phone 715-373-6181 ▪ FAX 715-373-6183
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
June 11, 2002, 10:00am, County Board Room
Members Present: John Blahnik, Brett Rondeau, Delores Kittleson, Kenneth Jardine, Marco
Bichanich, Harold Maki
Others Present: Tom Gordon, Mark Abeles-Allison, Kris Kavajecz, Lynn Frechette, Amelia
Lindsey, Catherine Ekholm
Meeting was called to order by Chairman, Brett Rondeau at 10:00am in the County Board Room.
A moment of silence was observed in honor of Judge Thomas Lindsey.
Motion by Blahnik, Second by Bichanich to approve the minutes of the May 15, 2002 meeting.
Motion Carried.
Home Health Program Presentation: Amelia Lindsey- Health Department Director, Lynn
Frechette-Home Care Coordinator, and Catherine Ekholm-Secretary, presented a handout and
powerpoint presentation regarding the impact of eliminating the Home Health Care Program in
Bayfield County. The presentation provided statistics of county levy dollars that have been
needed in the past 10 years to support his program. A significant point made during this
presentation was that $80,390 of the budget would need to be added to the Health Department
budget if Home Health were eliminated. The levy for Home Health was $41,632 in 2001, so as a
result, it would actually cost the county an additional $39,000 (approximately) to eliminate the
Home Health Care Program. Over 80% of the Home Health Care budget was offset by revenues
in 2001. Several committee members expressed concern with adequate skilled nursing
availability for residents in the outer areas of the county if the county program were eliminated.
A lengthy discussion was held regarding the current services and ability of Bay Area Home
Health Care Service to provide the needed services to all residents of Bayfield County. Jardine
and Abeles-Allison provided feedback on a meeting they had with representatives of Bay Area
Home Health Care Services.
In 2002, the Home Health Care budget was funded through excess county revenue.
Motion by Maki, Second by Bichanich to budget up to $75,000 for Home Health Care Program
in 2003. Discussion
Office of the
Bayfield County Administrator
Mark Abeles-Allison
Page 2 of 3 Executive Committee Minutes 06/11/02
117 East Fifth Street ▪ Washburn, WI 54891 ▪ markaa@bayfieldcounty.org
Phone 715-373-6181 ▪ FAX 715-373-6183
Amended Motion by Maki, Second by Bichanich to recommend that the County Board approve
the continuation of the Home Health Care Program and set an appropriate budget as the
budgeting process progresses. Amended Motion Carried.
Lindsey and Frechette expressed their appreciation for the support of the committee and
reinforced their belief that this is a worthwhile program.
Snowmobile Groomer Report from Tourism: Abeles-Allison reported that the Tourism
Committee had met the previous day and discussed the options for assisting the snowmobile
alliance in purchasing groomers for the snowmobile trails at a cost of $270,000. The Tourism
committee agreed that the county should consider assisting the snowmobile alliance as long as
there was no cost involved for the county. Maki questioned whether state funding had been
investigated for the purchase of the groomers. Jardine explained that the state will not fund
equipment, however, some funding has been acquired in the past for maintenance of trails.
Jardine also explained that the alliance paid over $60,000 in 2001/2002 winter season for repairs
to the existing grooming machines. He further explained that recent statistics show that over
$159.8 million dollars in tourism dollars are spent in Bayfield County each year. Discussion was
held regarding the different options for funding the groomers. Abeles-Allison explained that
several other counties currently have agreements with their snowmobile alliances for the
purchase of equipment. A sample of the Ashland County contract was provided to committee
members.
A suggestion was made by Gordon to compile a resolution requesting the State Government to
review the fee structure and to review the appropriation of funds. His concern is that counties
that rely heavily on snowmobile trails are compensated exactly the same as counties that have
very few trails and much less maintenance of the trails.
Motion by Blahnik, Second by Kittleson to allow Abeles-Allison to continue to explore options
for the funding of groomers at no cost to the County. Motion Carried.
Financial Report for May 2002: Abeles-Allison explained graphs of revenues and expenses for
the month of May, 2001-vs- 2002, as well as graphs of Year to Date Revenues and Expenses,
2001 –vs- 2002. An explanation of variances from 2001 to 2002 was provided.
Treasurer’s Investment Report: Abeles-Allison explained information that had been provided
by the County Treasurer, Dan Anderson. Interest rates so far in 2002 have ranged from 1.86% to
1.84%. Anderson had budgeted a 4% interest rate on 12 million dollars, which would result in
$480,000 in revenue. Due to the significantly lower interest rates, the county could experience a
$300,000 shortfall in projected revenues. This information was provided for informational
purposes and for consideration in budgeting in 2003.
Budget 2003 Policy Goals & Objectives:
Abeles-Allison provided a draft list of priorities and guidelines for 2003 budget and reviewed the
list with committee members. Brief discussion was held on a select few items. A full county
board meeting was set for June 27 at 6:00pm to discuss budget priorities and set the levy for
2003.
Page 3 of 3 Executive Committee Minutes 06/11/02
117 East Fifth Street ▪ Washburn, WI 54891 ▪ markaa@bayfieldcounty.org
Phone 715-373-6181 ▪ FAX 715-373-6183
Dept Head Evaluations for Dept Heads Dave Lee & Dag Bystrom: Abeles-Allison reported
that he, Bichanich, and Rondeau had conducted performance evaluations for Dag Bystrom-
Information Services Director, and David Lee-Land Records Administrator. The reviews were
both positive and goals were set for each. Copies of the evaluations are available in the
Administrator’s office for review by committee members.
Motion by Jardine, Second by Maki to adjourn. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 12:15pm.