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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 8/12/2003L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2003\Exec Minutes 081203.docPage 1 of 3 Executive Committee Minutes 4:00 pm, Tuesday, August 12, 2003 County Board Room Members Present: John Blahnik, Marco Bichanich, Delores Kittleson, Harold Maki, Members Excused: Kenneth Jardine, Brett Rondeau Others Present: Kris Kavajecz, Mark Abeles-Allison, Tom Gordon, Tim Kane, media The meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm by Vice-Chairman Bichanich. Motion Regarding Minutes of July 8, 2003 Executive Committee Meeting: Motion by Blahnik , second by Maki to approve the minutes of the July 8, 2003 Executive Committee Meeting. Motion Carried Report by Tim Kane, Bayfield County Waste Tire Collection Program: Kane provided handouts summarizing the tires collected throughout the county. Over 466 tons of tires were collected. The cost of the program, including administrative expenses totals $53,165.18. Kane explained that the high collection figure could be attributed to the fact that it has been 6 years since the last collection and also that the guidelines for tire acceptance were more liberal this time. A discussion was held regarding the funding for this collection. A suggestion was made to send a letter to the towns showing the original request, statistics of the collection, and a request for the higher amount based on the number of tires collected. Kane explained that the federal and state funding that used to exist for this type of program is no longer available. Motion by Blahnik, second by Maki to send a letter to all towns showing the original request, statistics of the collection, and a request for additional payment to help defray the cost of the program. Motion Carried. 2004 Budget Discussion: Abeles-Allison reviewed the 5-year capital improvement plan. It was explained that this fund would be used for one-time purchases using a fund balance/carry-over from the previous year, rather than including the purchases in individual department budgets and utilizing levy dollars. Motion by Maki, Second by Blahnik to carry over the 2003 fund balance of approximately $200,000 to the Capital Improvement Budget for one-time expenditures and to approve the expenditure for the purchase of the generator in 2003, rather than 2004. Motion Carried. Abeles-Allison displayed tentative budget figures for the committee to review. Abeles-Allison explained that each department was asked for a 4.1% decrease from the 2003 levy or a 1.5% overall department budget reduction from 2003. Abeles-Allison emphasized that the figures presented are in a draft format only. Questions regarding particular departments and funds were discussed. Overall, the draft budget represented a $267,553 increased levy over 2003. Each department and fund budget will be reviewed by the respective committees and presented to the L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2003\Exec Minutes 081203.docPage 2 of 3 Executive Committee in early to mid September. Abeles-Allison estimates that the county fund balance will be approximately $8,000,000 at the end of 2003. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Health Department Budget: Amelia Lindsey provided handouts regarding the Home Health Budget. Abeles-Allison explained that Home Health Care is currently over budget for the current year. Expenditures are at the level anticipated, however, revenues are significantly lower than anticipated. 2 reasons for this are changes in Medicare allotments, reductions in October of 2002 and April of 2003, and because the county has not been able to provide therapy services for several months. Changes are being made to the Home Health section, which should have an impact on the expenditures for that program. A special meeting of the Health Board will be held in the coming weeks to discuss the Home Health Budget and the impact on citizens of the county. Suggestion was made that the Health Department show the breakdown of where salaries for each employee come from and the impact that the Home Health Budget would have on the Public Health Budget as well as the impact on citizens. Lindsey explained that if Home Health were eliminated, there would still be expenses for several months as well as unemployment. Millie suggested that a combination Health Board and Executive Committee meeting be held to discuss this issue. Motion by Kittleson second by Blahnik to authorize the Home Health Program to continue to operate and that unspent monies from other department and fund budgets at the end of 2003 be used to pay the deficit of the Home Health Budget. Motion Carried Gordon commented that he would request that the press not publish an article that frightens or alarms the general public because what was discussed this evening is only preliminary and that no decisions have been made at this time. Discussion Regarding User Fees of Various Departments: Abeles-Allison explained that several departments have made suggestions for additional or increased user fees. A brief discussion was held regarding the types of fees currently assessed in the county and fairness to taxpayers. Question was raised whether fees could be assessed only to non-residents for certain services. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Unfunded Liability and Short Term Debt for Jail: Abeles-Allison recommended that the county not pursue the loan for the pay-off of the unfunded liability, and that the Executive Committee make a recommendation to the County Board to rescind the resolution authorizing the loan. Because the county is currently only receiving less than 1% on investments, it does not make sense to pay 6% on borrowed money. Motion by Maki, second by Kittleson to recommend to the County Board that they rescind the resolution authorizing the loan to pay off the unfunded liability. Motion Carried. Abeles-Allison explained that in order for the county to access the jail assessment funds, which may only be used to pay off long-term debt for jail improvements, the county must enter into long term debt. L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2003\Exec Minutes 081203.docPage 3 of 3 Motion by Blahnik, second by Maki to approve a long term debt, which would allow the county to access Jail Assessment Funds. Motion Carried. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding combining the Forestry Fund into the General Fund: Maki questioned the benefit to doing this. Abeles-Allison explained that in the past, the Forestry Department has been a separate Fund, not a part of the General Fund. Abeles-Allison proposes to move the Forestry budget in to the General Fund to more accurately show the expenditures and revenues of the department. Motion by Blahnik, second by Kittleson to approve the combination of the Forestry Fund into the General Fund. Discussion regarding the benefit to taking this action. It was explained that this action would actually enable the board and citizens to see more accurately the activities of the Forestry Department and the associated funding. Motion Carried. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Resolutions Received from Other Counties: A) Funding Mandate B) Assembly Resolution to make certain governmental positions appointed rather than elected. Gordon explained the process if this change were to be made. C) Save American Manufacturing Resolution Motion by Blahnik, second by Maki to forward all three resolutions to the full county board for consideration. Motion Carried. Report and Any other topics of discussion as presented by the committee members: Abeles-Allison reported the current balance in the contingency fund. Bichanich clarified the fencing issue in the Town of Eileen. Comment from Maki that it was a very nice fair this year. Motion by Maki, second by Blahnik to adjourn. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:00pm.