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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 2/12/2009Minutes of the Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting 4:00 PM, February 12, 2009 Emergency Operations Center, Washburn, WI Members Present: David Good, Marco Bichanich, Bill Kacvinsky, Dee Kittleson Members Excused: Brett Rondeau Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, citizens. Meeting called to order at 4:00 pm by Vice-Chair Kittleson. Motion Kacvinsky, Bichanich to approve minutes of the January 8, 2009 Executive Committee Meeting. Motion Carried. Budget Review & Projections: Abeles-Allison reviewed the 13 departments that were showing levy usage over what was budgeted. Several of these departments will be in the black by the end of February when additional revenues will come in: The following was discussed: 1. Clerk of Courts: $8800 over. A good portion of this was due to unemployment payments and one time personnel situations. 2. Family Court Commissioner: $544 over. 3. Coroner: $5247 over. Due to additional autopsy services. The previous year expenditures were $9000 less. 4. Administrator: $4663 over, however additional revenues of $5000 from 2008 are due in February. 5. District Attorney: $1266 over; additional part time assistance due to illnesses. 6. Child Support, $12,744 over: State funding is down. 7. Treasurer: $207,000 over: Interest rates down. Continued reductions in 2009 are projected also. 8. Land Records: $116,000 over. A 911 check in the amount of $130,000 will correct this. This should be receipted in February of 2009. 9. Courthouse: $28,000: part of this is due to heating expenses, $20,000 over what we budgeted, repair and maintenance accounted for the rest of the overage. 10. Register of Deeds: $32,695 over. Revenue shortfalls in the amount of $43,000 caused this. 11. Veteran Services: $6600 over, changes in benefit plan. 12. Zoning: $86,000 over. A drop in permits ($17,000). It is anticipated that reimbursements for comp planning and a coastal project, already paid by the department will correct this deficit. 13. Land Conservation, $10,000 over. Revenues still coming in from last year. Will be very close to even. L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2009\Executive Committee Minutes 021209.doc Page 2 of 3 • The committee reviewed the forestry contribution of over $1,000,000 over estimates was noted. It was mentioned that the 2008 budget projected a $940,000 use of fund balance. At this time it appears this amount will be less than $100,000. • Discussion on the Highway budget was delayed until next month when journal entries will be completed. • A deficit of $145,000 in Human Services was reviewed, recognizing that reimbursements for HS take much longer than other departments. • Other funds were reviewed. Special attention was made that the 2009 budget was prepared with virtually no transfers from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement fund. This is a reduced expense for the General Fund but it also means less funding for capital projects. Good Recommended regular, quarterly or monthly revenue projection updates for critical areas such as the Treasurer’s and Forestry departments. The Topic of Voluntary Layoffs was raised. Several other counties are doing this. The committee recommended investigating this further. A detail of possible action in the Planning & Zoning Department was discussed: • Internalizing septic inspection program • Closely adhering to policy on fees for permits. • Reducing use of county vehicles driving to and from the courthouse. In the Sheriff’s Department, the importance of boarding was noted as the contribution made the difference for the Sheriff’s Department Budget. Cross Training was also presented as a way to spread staff. Reports: • Washburn Coal Dock: Rock Cribbing, slope; current use, gravel for island, park service Motion Kacvinsky, Bichanich to receive and place on file a request from the City of Washburn to include the Washburn Coal Dock in the Comprehensive Plan. Motion Carried. • Handout detailing Forestry revenues was received. In the past 8 years, timber cuttings have doubled. • Wind Assessment; the county is working with the DNR, with the county as the lead agency, on the wind tower assessment project. The County will submit a grant to Focus on Energy for this. Weekly inspection of the tower data logger may be split three ways between the DNR, Ashwabay and the County. • ADRC: Work on the elevator addition continues. The Bremer Foundation announced a $75,000 grant to Bayfield County for the project. The CEP grant writer assisted with this. o Jardine expressed interest in replacing the existing lift. o Walking through court traffic was raised. o Good thought it was a good long term improvement for access to the basement L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2009\Executive Committee Minutes 021209.doc Page 3 of 3 o Kittleson raised the issue of a new parking lot in the front, concerns about road and drainage expenses were raised. • Attorney : The county discussed the current RFP for legal counsel which expires the end of this year. The committee discussed in house versus contract. The committee will review the RPF at the next meeting. • Surveyor: No information on this was presented, it will be addressed at the next meeting. Motion Bichanich, Jardine to enter in and out of Executive Session pursuant to Wis Statutes §19.85(1)(c)(e)(g) to approve executive session minutes of the January 8, 2009 meeting, consider legal counsel with regard to litigation the county is or anticipates being involved in, discuss personnel issues including: grievances, performance and employment data and bargaining strategy. Roll Call Vote: All-Yes, motion carried. Entered Executive Session at 5:18pm Motion Jardine, Kacvinsky to return to open session at 5:51pm. Roll Call Vote: All-yes, motion carried. Jardine left the meeting at this time. Motion Bichanich, Good to adjourn. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:57pm.