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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/24/2003L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2003\Exec Minutes 092403.docPage 1 of 4 Executive Committee Minutes 2:00 pm, Wednesday, September 24, 2003 County Board Room Members Present: Delores Kittleson, Kenneth Jardine, Brett Rondeau, Harold Maki, John Blahnik Members Absent: Marco Bichanich, Others Present: Bill Kacvinsky, Kris Kavajecz, Mark Abeles-Allison, Tom Gordon, Kathy Miller, Elizabeth Skulan, Neil Paulson, Richard Compton, Dag Bystrom, Sheriff Follis, Pauls Susienka, Larry Weber, Amelia Lindsey, Karl Kastrosky, Cecilia Coleman, Lynn Frechette, Verne Gilles, Jim Radke, Frank Graves, Cheryl Michalski, Lee Gehrke and members of the public. The meeting was called to order at 2:00 pm by Chairman Rondeau. Motion Regarding Minutes of September 19, 2003 Executive Committee Meeting: Motion by Maki , second by Kittleson to approve the minutes of the September 19, 2003 Executive Committee Meeting. Motion Carried Motion by Maki, second by Jardine to table item #2. Discussion Regarding Tire Clean-Up Funding from Towns, until the next meeting. Motion Carried. 2004 BUDGET DISCUSSION: Abeles-Allison explained that several departments and organizations would be making presentations this afternoon with regard to budget requests. Presentation by Kathy Miller of the UW Extension office. Kathy addressed the committee regarding the staffing issue in the Extension Office. She explained that earlier this year, a full- time staff member retired and it had been proposed to not replace that staff person. Kathy gave a background on the historical staffing of the office. She further explained that the office has made compromises in that they have attempted to work with other departments to help with clerical work. The Extension committee has recommended that a permanent half-time position be included in the 2004 budget, and indeed, the budget presented by the County Administrator does include funding for a half-time position. Question from Maki regarding the way the clerical duties are delegated in the office. Abeles-Allison suggested that a review of the Highway Department proposed budget take place at this time. A handout was provided summarizing the Highway Department Budget and the highway fund balance through 2007. Abeles-Allison explained that the county needs to make a determination of how they would like to fund the highway projects in the future, whether through levy dollars or modifying our proposed levy. Gordon explained to the committee that the highway projects are generally funded 80% by the state with a 20% match from the county. Jardine questioned if the improvements in Port Wing are included in the 2004 proposed budget. Abeles-Allison explained that the budget includes improvements to the existing building, but not L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2003\Exec Minutes 092403.docPage 2 of 4 an expansion to the building. A brief discussion was held regarding the existing equipment and the age and number of miles of the equipment. Elizabeth Skulan addressed the committee regarding the proposed 2004 budget for the Human Services Department. Handouts were provided. In 2003, the budget was 1.489 million plus $80,000 one-time funding. 2004 is proposed 1.534 million, including the health insurance increase. Skulan explained how county dollars have been reallocated within the department to cover decreases of federal and state funding of specific programs. Handouts of the department’s waiting list were reviewed. Skulan explained how the waiting lists are prioritized and gave a background of the fluctuation of the number of individuals on the waiting list throughout the current year. Dag Bystrom made a presentation to the committee regarding the Information Services Department budget. Bystrom explained that a staffing issue exists in this department. Each of the two department staff members are currently supporting approximately 90 computers/machines. In the past, interns and local technical persons have been contracted to assist this department, although it has not worked out as well as hoped. A brief discussion was held regarding work that is being provided to LCC and for the CODY system that may be billed to the other entities benefiting from the I/S services. John Blahnik entered the meeting at this time. Patricia Olson addressed the committee at this time. Olson gave information comparing staffing and recordings in neighboring counties. Committee members were invited to visit the office and observe the work that is done on a daily basis. All-time records have been set this month. Handouts were provided to show monies and amounts of documents that have been generated this year. Olson would like to request that the half-time position be increased in the Register of Deeds office. She suggested that the additional revenue generated by the number of documents recorded would offset the cost of the additional staff. Sheriff Follis, Paul Susienka, and Larry Weber addressed the committee at this time. Follis provided some general historical statistics of the jail and Sheriff’s Department comparing the last 20 years. Statistics included: 2.39 employees per 1000 citizens (state average) –vs- BC at 2.2 employees per 1000 citizens. There are currently 44 sworn officers in Bayfield County, including the Sheriff, Chief, Bayfield School Liason, Court Security, and Deputies. Sheriff explained that the square mileage of the county is the biggest challenge for the department. Kittleson commented that transcription could possibly be contracted out. Comment by Jardine that he had originally believed that the Sheriff’s Department staff could be reduced by 2, but after hearing the presentation today, he believes that the department is adequately staffed. Amelia Lindsey made a presentation regarding the Home Health program in Bayfield County. $120,000 is proposed for the Home Health Budget in 2004. The Public Health proposed budget is $187,000. Handouts of the proposed budgets were provided. Lindsey explained that the issue of Home Health Care funding is the main topic of consideration for the 2004 budget. Lindsey explained that several area home health care providers have been contacted to determine what services would and would not be available to county residents. It was determined that there L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2003\Exec Minutes 092403.docPage 3 of 4 would likely be a lack of services, particularly in remote outlying areas of the county if the county home health program were discontinued. Lindsey provided a copy of a letter from “North Country Independent Living” requesting that the Home Health Care Program be continued. Dick Goodlet was introduced as a recipient of Bayfield County Home Health assistance. Goodlet provided his personal experience with the Bayfield County Program. He explained that he also utilized Bay Area Home Health, and that they are very unreliable, and have a high turnover of staff, and are not trained well. He commented that the County Staff has never not shown up when they have been scheduled to be there. Mr. Goodlet explained that he can live in his own home because of the help of the Bayfield County Health Department, his only other alternative is to live in a nursing home, where most other quadriplegics live. Gary Roffers as a recipient of Bayfield County Home Health Care in the past, addressed the committee at this time. Mr. Roffers explained that the Bayfield County Home Health program has been a great support to him and his family and that they should consider that each of them could be in need of this service at any time. Lindsey commented that she hopes that the committee will consider other factors besides monetary considerations. It is anticipated at approximately 52 separate persons will be served in 2003. Lindsey explained that the department will turn down referrals if persons need to be seen more than once each day. The committee took a 10 minute break at this time. Karl Kastrosky, Zoning Administrator addressed the committee at this time. The Zoning office will be developing an office reorganizational plan throughout the winter to review and improve processes in the department. Sanitary Code Administrator and the Shoreland Technician will be leaving in the Spring. Kastrosky pointed out the letter received from the Lakes Association, which emphasized the need for enforcement efforts in the county. He referred to the budget narrative and the goals of the department. Jardine stated that the county should investigate and consider sharing sanitarian duties in the health department as well as the zoning department. Brief discussion of a new law that requires records to be kept regarding septic inspections and pumping. A discussion was held surrounding holding tanks and inspections. Cheryl Hanson and Lee Gehrke, addressed the committee at this time regarding the Library Board. Hanson provided a handout of activities that the libraries provide and some statistics regarding library services. 6 libraries in the county, open approximately 34 hours per week. The emphasis of the presentation was that the library allotment is determined by a state regulated formula. Circulation and operating budget are the main items that the county contribution is based upon. The representatives explained that there are many other services that are provided that are not included in “circulation” figures. The state does not permit libraries to charge fees for services. A lengthy discussion was held regarding usage of the libraries and the number and range of services that are not accounted for in the funding formula. Jim Radtke and Frank Graves addressed the committee at this time regarding BCEDC funding for 2004. The request to the county has been reduced in 2004 by 7%. Radtke gave a review of the achievements of the BCEDC so far in 2003. Abeles-Allison reviewed the presentations that were made and summarized requested changes to the proposed budget. The only proposal that was presented that would impact the budget is the L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2003\Exec Minutes 092403.docPage 4 of 4 Highway Department. Abeles-Allison explained that a decision needs to be made regarding the Highway Department funding and whether a .1 mill levy increase should be included in the budget to help provide funding for planned highway improvements over the next several years. Motion by Maki, second by Jardine to increase the highway budget by .1 mill to be used for highway improvement projects. Motion Carried. Maki asked the cost of operating computers in Bayfield County. Abeles-Allison explained that the approximate cost is $280,000. A discussion was held regarding the benefits and downfalls of the computer age. Abeles-Allison reviewed the budget proposal, including the .1 mill increase for the highway department budget. Motion by Jardine, Second by Maki to accept the proposed budget and forward it to the County Clerk’s Office for publication. Kittleson requested clarification of the Home Health Budget. A discussion was held regarding the options available to home health clients if the program were discontinued. Motion Carried. Motion By Blahnik, Second by Maki to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm.