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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/19/2003L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2003\Exec Minutes 091903.docPage 1 of 3 Executive Committee Minutes 4:00 pm, Friday, September 19, 2003 County Board Room Members Present: John Blahnik, Marco Bichanich, Delores Kittleson, Kenneth Jardine, Brett Rondeau Members Absent: Harold Maki Others Present: Bill Kacvinsky, Kris Kavajecz, Mark Abeles-Allison, Tom Gordon, Dale Brevak The meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm by Chairman Rondeau. Motion Regarding Minutes of September 9, 2003 Executive Committee Meeting: Motion by Blahnik , second by Bichanich to approve the minutes of the September 9, 2003 Executive Committee Meeting with correction. Correction noted by Bichanich that he also identified that a member of the agriculture community should be included on the Condemnation Commission. Motion Carried 2004 BUDGET DISCUSSION: Abeles-Allison briefly explained changes that have transpired in the proposed budget since the Sept 9 meeting. An attachment was provided that identified the proposed modifications. Handouts were provided with revised budget summary figures by department and funds. A handout was also provided of proposed expenditures through the Capital Projects fund, these are one-time expenditures that are funded by excess revenue. Presentation by Dale Brevak, Highway Commissioner. Dale explained that his intent at this meeting is not to overstep the Highway Committee, but that he feels it important to present his position on Committee decisions. Brevak stated that he has a concern regarding the decision to not replace a recently retired employee. He explained that the approximate cost to the county for this position is less than $50,000 per year. He stated that concessions will need to be made with regard to service if this position is not replaced. Brevak explained that dollars to pay off unfunded pension liability, which was not budgeted for, was taken from the Highway department to pay their share of the pay-off. Brevak and Abeles- Allison explained the history of the unfunded pension liability and how it is paid in other county departments. Suggestion by Gordon to talk with Auditors on their recommendation of where the money should come from that would have the least negative impact on the Highway Department and County as a whole. Brevak stated that he felt it was unfair to request these funds from the Highway Department, but not from any other department. Brevak explained that the Highway Committee did not present a motion regarding the proposed Highway Department budget. Brevak explained his requests for equipment and provided a background of miles and hours of the three vehicles that have computers onboard. He explained that the miles that the odometer read could actually be doubled to account for the low gear and L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2003\Exec Minutes 091903.docPage 2 of 3 low speed that the equipment is operated at. Brevak has requested 3 new patrol trucks in 2004, Highway Committee has recommended funding for approximately 2 new patrol trucks. Brevak is concerned that in the long run, vehicles will not be replaced soon enough and high expenses will be incurred to maintain the vehicles. Brevak also provided a brief explanation of why the loader is being recommended to be replaced. Highway Department had proposed a building improvement and expansion to the Port Wing garage in their draft budget. This item was not discussed with the Highway Committee. The budget does include the request for the building improvements and construction. The committee discussed that the Highway Committee should consider a special meeting to make a recommendation on the Highway Department Budget. Abeles-Allison explained that the Highway Department has not experienced a budget increase for 5 years, yet they have realized significant improvement projects for county roadways. Brevak explained that the only function of the Highway Department is maintaining roads. In comparison with surrounding counties, we do not conduct construction, paving, crushing or other activities. Brevak explained that not replacing the retired employee will put a burden on the remaining staff and that there would be no back-up employees to fill in if an employee needed an extended leave. This would result in service loss and safety concerns. Abeles-Allison requested that the Executive Committee Meeting on September 24th be changed from 4:00pm to 2:00pm. The committee agreed that 2:00pm would be fine. Abeles-Allison again reviewed the proposed allotment of levy dollars as identified on the budget summary handouts. Rondeau asked what the budget allocation is for the two airports. Brief discussion was held on this topic. Abeles-Allison explained the budget allotment from 2003 and his reasoning for the proposed budget figures for 2004. The Cable Airport had requested $27,000 and the JFK Airport had request that the county become a full partner in the airport. Gordon suggest possibly taking $10,000 from excess revenue to assist the Cable Airport in 2004 in addition to the $10,000 budget allotment, and that a letter be sent to the Airport Commission to explain that the funds are a one-time contribution. Motion by Blahnik, second by Jardine to allot $10,000 in excess revenue in addition to the original $10,000 budgeted for the Cable Airport in the 2004 budget. Motion Carried. Gordon suggested that the committee hear from those departments that have requested to address them, and that much weight should be given to Abeles-Allison’s recommendations. In response to a question by Kacvinsky, Abeles-Allison explained the budget allotment for the various libraries. Gordon suggested that a letter should be sent to the library board explaining that the request to the county in the future will be more closely scrutinized due to the rapid increase in requested funding. The committee briefly discussed how the library request is determined and how the library levy works. L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2003\Exec Minutes 091903.docPage 3 of 3 Abeles-Allison explained that the County Criminal Justice Council has suggested that they would like to see a position created that would oversee the coordination of the criminal justice system in the county and the various programs that have a positive impact on the population of the jail and recidivism. Although this is not a budget consideration for 2004, Abeles-Allison would like to begin consideration of this position for the future. Abeles-Allison explained that he would like to see the committee make final decisions on the county budget at the Sept 24 meeting. At the request of the committee, Kavajecz provided some basic information and statistics of the Community Service Program. Motion by Blahnik, second by Bichanich to adjourn. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:50pm.