HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/26/2013Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
3:00PM, September 26, 2013
County Board Room, Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Shawn Miller, Marco Bichanich, Dee Kittleson, Beth Meyers
(3:16pm)
Members Excused: Kenneth Jardine,
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-Bayfield County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz, John
Bennett, Dennis Pocernich, Neil Shultz, Scott Fibert, Rob Schierman, Ben Dufford, Jim
Crandall, Tim Kane, Mary Motiff, Kay Cederberg.
Rondeau called the meeting to order at 3:00pm
Minutes of September 12, 2013: Motion Miller, Kittleson to approve the minutes of the
September 12, 2013 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried
Proposed Budget Presentation and Overview for 2014:
Zoning: Rob Schierman reported on staffing changes in his department over the last year.
$419,926 expense budget proposal. Revenues anticipated stagnant. Working more efficient and
processing permits faster. Focusing on Customer Service, while enforcing county zoning
ordinances to protect our environment. Question regarding the involvement of pumpers in the
sanitary program. $4700 increase in budget from 2013 was a result of employee going from
single to family insurance plan.
LWCD: Ben Dufford reported that the state has partially restored funding for LWCD. Overall
budget is about 80-90% grant funding. Many projects are in full swing due to a later spring. AIS
program will be grant funded for the next 2 years. Requesting $12,000 for replacement
equipment (13 years old) including a data collector and total station.
County Clerk: Budget projected to increase $11,000 due to the number of elections in 2014.
Capital Improvement request for postage machine if needed. Looking at a mailing service as an
option once it reaches Bayfield County.
Meyers arrived at this time. Dufford and Schierman exited at this time.
Abeles-Allison reviewed where Board Members can find the budget book in the drop box. He
provided a broad overview of proposed funding for the Highway Department. The county has a
net zero change in valuation, whereas surrounding county valuations have decreased.
Tourism: Mary Motiff reviewed Capital Improvement Requests for the Fair. Dump Trailer
$4200. Eligible for Ag Star Grant for portion of the cost for swine pens. $2000 Electrical
upgrade to vendor area instead of camping area. $5000 Concrete pad for future pavilion. The
proposed budget includes funding for the match portion of a “Safe Room” grant if it is awarded.
The total capital improvement request for the Fair is approximately $41,000. Revenue
projections for Fair were reduced to be more consistent with actual past revenue collections.
Offsetting entertainment expenses were reduced.
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UW Extension: Tim Kane provided handouts including an overview of the UW Extension
budget and summary of program focus areas. Kane reported that the Ag Agent may transition
into a 50% specialist, funded by the UW. The other 50% of his position would then be paid 50%
by the UW and 40% by Bayfield and Ashland Counties. Ag education would be provided by a
part-time Ag person at a lesser wage shared by the state and counties.
Intergovernmental Department: Abeles-Allison reviewed the proposed figures for this section of
the budget. These are expenses that are not directly related to any specific departments. Items to
note in this section of the budget included: Fund balance proposed to be used for Highway and
Human Services. Contingency budget includes funds for wage increases to be applied once the
wage study is completed. Bridge aid will be increased by $10,000 from the proposed budget due
to amended requests from towns in 2013 and 2014.
Bussey, Meyers, Crandall exited the meeting at this time to attend the DHS Board meeting.
Most outside agencies are recommended to be funded at the same levels as in previous years.
Library funding was reviewed. Some additional funding was included for local libraries for the
implementation of the Building Strong Libraries program, applied for by Washburn and Cable
Forest Lodge.
Meyers returned to the meeting at this time.
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. Funding in the amount of $6000 was proposed in
comparison with the $4000 in 2013. Board members noted a proposal several years ago to
reduce this contribution to zero by $2000 a year. Abeles-Allison noted the support the center
provided to county meeting groups. Comment was made to increase the Visitor Center
allocation by $2000 and reduce county tourism by that same amount.
Discussion concerning the Economic Development Funding focused took place. Funding
request is $64,000, the same is 2013. The budget includes a $5000 proposal for the Paralympics
Event through BCEDC. While the committee is supportive of the event, they were cautious about
supporting a single event when there are so many events in the county.
Fund transfers in the amount of $450,000 are proposed to help fund the Highway, Human
Services and Capital Improvement Projects.
Abeles-Allison commented on contracting in the county. The proposed budget for 2014 includes
funding for contracted services which are $200,000 more than 2013, not including contracted
services for Capital Improvement Projects.
The committee reviewed the equipment purchase plan for Highway purchases including truck
replacement proposals.
Schultz handed out his personal summary of budget related topics that were identified in the May
7, 2013 budget planning meeting and directed questions to the County Administrator. The
committee reviewed the items on the handout and discussed each item. After discussion about
departmental consolidation ideas, a suggestion was made to discuss potential departmental
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consolidations at the full county board rather than at the committee level. Schultz requested a
listing by department of mandated –vs- discretionary services.
Abeles-Allison reviewed a document from the Health Insurance Consultant with options for
Health Insurance plans in the future including a self-funded plan option.
Clerk Of Court: Kay Cederberg reported on the 2014 proposed budget. Guardian Ad Litem and
Attorney Fees are the problem areas. Replacement schedule for courtroom equipment is based
on an expected life expectancy of the equipment. Continue to try to recruit work study students
to conduct the scanning of documents. Collection efforts through the collection agency were
discussed.
Kavajecz exited the meeting at 5:00. Abeles-Allison assumed minute-taking.
Reports:
Web Page: An employee committee led by IT Director Paul Houck and supported by the
County Administrator is recommending a Web Page contract to develop a new web page that
will lead to improved access and functionality by the public and employees. The estimated
cost of $29,000 would be paid for by grant and levy dollars. A supplemental incentive
proposal by the company to commit to the plan in September of 2013 would save the county
considerable dollars in the years ahead. A formal proposal and discussion will be held at the
next meeting. The contract will be in the upcoming agenda packet.
Forestry Building: A summary of the status of the project was made.
• The City has committed to expending $200,000 on utilities, bids to be opened on October
3.
• The County is negotiating with the DNR. The County is considering making a one time
request of $87,000 with the DNR assisting with maintenance and paying City utilities for
a period of 10 years.
• The offer to purchase is still on the table from the high bidder. Board members indicated
an interest in accepting the purchase offer regardless.
The Forestry Committee will review all information at 5:00pm on Tuesday, Oct 1.
The committee did not go in/out of executive session.
Meeting Adjourned at 5:30pm