HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/18/2012Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00PM, September 18, 2012
Emergency Operations Center, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Marco Bichanich, Dee Kittleson, Shawn Miller, Kenneth
Jardine
Excused: Beth Meyers
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, Kristine Kavajecz, John Bennett, Dennis Pocernich, Jason
Bodine-Forest Administrator, Tom Toepfer-Highway Commissioner, Neil Schultz, Terri
Kramolis-County Nurse, Cathy Moore-Health Office Manager.
Rondeau called the meeting to order at 4:00pm
Minutes of August 22 and September 11, 2012: Motion Jardine, Miller to approve the minutes
of the August 22, 2012 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried.
Motion Jardine, Miller to approve minutes of the September 11, 2012 Executive Committee
meeting. Motion carried.
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding 2013 Budget: Abeles-Allison reported on the
scheduled dates for future budget meetings. This information has been distributed to departments
as well.
a. Highway Department: Highway Commissioner, Tom Toepfer reviewed the budget request
for the highway department in 2013. Plan was put in place 4 years ago to spend down
reserves. Reserves will be exhausted in 2013. Some prior funding sources have dried up and
are no longer available (Obey, ARRA). Highway Department submitted a budget
representing a 0% increase from 2012. Abeles-Allison is proposing a 2% increase to the
highway budget, equal to approximately $37,000. After 2013, estimates show only about
$130,000 available for road improvements annually. The proposed 2% increase helps address
this. Department has a plan in place for future road maintenance that is less substantial, such
as wedging and chip sealing. Administration includes the Office Administrative wages/costs
as well as equipment and vehicles for these individuals. 5-year equipment plan (pg 272 of
draft budget) was reviewed. Truck replacement plan is based on 8-year cycle. Toepfer
handed out a list of talking points for future budget considerations. Toepfer reviewed
department efforts to save on costs: In-house project design, utilizing county staff on paving
projects as much as possible as well as county gravel for the pavement. Eliminate regular
road surveillance, only following a weather event or citizen concern report. Cut back on
cosmetic mowing and aggressive ditching. Conducting bridge inspections in-house rather
than contracting. Abeles-Allison pointed out to the committee that in 2014, major decisions
will need to be made with regard to funds for highway improvements.
b. Forestry Department: Forest Administrator-Jason Bodine reviewed the proposed Forestry
Budget for 2013. Handout provided. 91% of revenues are sale of wood. Review of long term
plan for forest management. 147,000 core acres that are managed. Estimating an average
annual sale of about 5000 acres for the long term future. Bussey suggested considering
L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2012\Executive Committee Minutes 091812.doc
Page 2 of 2
designating excess revenues in Forestry for Highway improvement projects. Capital request
has been included in the budget for a 50x80 cold storage building at the existing Forestry
Garage site. Estimate of $80,000 for the new structure and $20,000 for repairs to the existing
building.
c. Health Department: Bacterial water lab was set up in 2011 and certified. Public Health
encompasses several state-funded, mandated programs. Environmental branch are in essence,
agents of the state (facility inspections). Oral Health has been transferred to the Lakes
Community Health Center. Expanded WIC hours. Bayfield County is a level 3 health
department, making the department eligible for the highest level of funding. Budget includes
making a part-time and contract employee into a full-time county employee. The cost of
making the employee full-time is off-set by the additional revenues the person generates.
Budget includes implementation of the “Healthspace” program which will be used by the
Sanitarians for tracking and reporting the inspections.
d. General Budget: The budget includes a 2% wage increase across the board. Wage study is
anticipated to be completed by the end of October. Review of fund-balance and how the
balance is broken down. Handout provided.
Pg 23: County web site data was reviewed. Abeles-Allison explained the importance of the
county’s web site as evidenced by the number of unique visitors and hits. Brief discussion
was held regarding whether to contract out the site maintenance.
Libraries: 100% of the request was included in the budget. If funded at the 2012 budget level, it
would represent about 96% funding.
The remainder of the agenda was tabled to the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 5:51pm