HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/30/2013Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00PM, September 30, 2013
Emergency Operations Center, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Shawn Miller, Marco Bichanich, Dee Kittleson, Beth
Meyers, Kenneth Jardine (via telephone)
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, Bayfield County Administrator, John Bennett, Dennis
Pocernich, Neil Shultz, Jim Crandall, Bill Bussey, Chief Deputy Dan Clark, Sheriff Paul
Susienka, IT Director Paul Houck, Forest Administrator Jason Bodine, Health Director Terri
Kramolis, Highway Commissioner Tom Toepfer, Criminal Justice Coordinator Brenda Spurlock.
Rondeau called the meeting to order at 4:00pm
Minutes of September 26, 2013: Motion Meyers, Kittleson to approve the minutes of the
September 26, 2013 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried.
Proposed Budget 2014 Discussion:
Health Department: Terri Kramolis reviewed the Health Department proposed budget. At the
request of Schultz, Kramolis explained coordination with surrounding counties for services.
Environmental Health Program has a contract with the DNR for well testing/water sampling in
several counties, which generates revenue for the county, which can then be used for heath
programs. Water testing lab is a resource for many municipalities. WIC serves Bayfield,
Ashland and Iron Counties through a Federal Grant, which pays for 4 county staff that support
this program. WIC reduced staff by .5 in 2013. Public Health Department is mandated to
provide specific programs. Proposal includes establishing a clinic for employees and the public
at the county health department, in conjunction with the NorthLakes Clinic. CIP request for
potential office upgrades in 2014 related to the new clinic. Budget request for county-wide
wellness initiative, expanding the current employee wellness program county-wide.
Sheriff’s Department: Sheriff Susienka reviewed levy increase of 3.7%. Much of this is due to
reduced revenue from boarding. Sheriff stated that he would like to see enhanced coordination
between the Emergency Management, District Attorney and Sheriff’s Department. Would like to
see the Emergency Management department be incorporated in the Sheriff’s Department and
provide supervision of the Dispatch Center. Jail census is far below projections that were
provided when the jail was built. This is attributed to the Criminal Justice programming.
Juveniles must have sight and sound separation from the general population in the jail. Likely
that the law may change allowing 17 year olds to be held in the county jail. This will likely be
changed to age 18, which will result in additional transportation costs to juvenile facilities.
There is a legislative allocation to allow counties and tribes to work collaboratively for law
enforcement. Bayfield County has entered into agreement with Red Cliff with regard to law
enforcement on the reservation. Capital request includes $20,000 toward CODY software
upgrades, shared by the entities that use the system. Capital request also includes upgrades to
dispatch center equipment (recording of calls).
Highway: Tom Toepfer fielded questions regarding the highway budget. Budget includes a
request for transfer of funds from the General Fund for highway projects in 2014. Proposal to
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close/sell the Grandview garage and move the staff and equipment to the Mason garage, which
would require an expansion to the Mason facility. The committee viewed some images of
existing equipment and the condition of each piece. Each truck is inspected by the DOT and
county on an annual basis and must meet specific criteria. Trucks are currently on a 7 year
replacement rotation. Suggestion was made to look at contracting out a route or two. Patrol
routes are about 20-25 miles. County Highway G project is planned for pulverize and re-pave in
2014. Some work in the department is being contracted out such as tire changing and custodial
work. Historically, funding for large projects has come 75-90% from state and federal funds.
These funds are being significantly reduced and will now be the responsibility of the county.
IT Department: Paul Houck reviewed the IT budget, which is reduced by about 4% from 2013.
Savings are due to efficiencies. Abeles-Allison reported that revenue from rental of cell towers is
reflected in the Emergency Management budget not the IT budget. Physical inventory of
equipment was completed in 2013. For a 5-year replacement rotation it will mean replacing
between 20-30 computer work stations per year. Department is responsible for close to 300
devices throughout the county. Discussion regarding cost and proposal for web site redesign.
$28,000 for re-design, then $4500 annually for maintenance. Houck explained how the web site
committee came up with the recommendation and reviewed the negotiation process with the
proposed vendor.
Rondeau asked for Committee permission to move up item 4 on the agenda as it related to IT.
The Committee approved.
Motion Kittleson, Meyers to approve signing a contract with Civic Plus as presented. Motion
Carried.
Criminal Justice: Brenda Spurlock reviewed the proposed budget for Criminal Justice. The
budget includes a proposal to continue the ½ time program support staff. There is also a 100%
grant funded program coordinator contracted through Gemini that works 70% time. Developing
a Family Court program in conjunction with DHS. Also looking at a Domestic Violence Court
program. Funding was awarded to continue jail outreach programming in conjunction with
Ashland County. Typically grant positions or limited term positions are contracted through
Gemini Employee leasing. Risk Reduction Treatment Court and Jail Diversion programming has
had a direct impact on keeping our jail population low. Discussion on whether the Criminal
Justice program should be located within any other department. Comment that it is functioning
extremely well where it is and there are many reasons not to combine it with other departments.
Forestry: Jason Bodine reported that timber sale receipts are expected to exceed $3 million for
the first time this year. Jason explained his formula for estimating timber sale revenues for
budget purposes since timber sale revenues for a single job are received over a number of years.
One position was added in the department in 2013, however, some expenses were cut to offset
the cost of the new employee. County has met the goal for sustainable cutting for the first time in
2013. Bayfield County has one of the largest reforestation efforts in the state. Comment from
Miller commending Jason on the job he has done since taking on the County Forest
Administrator position. DOT road aid provides $336/mile of forest road.
Abeles-Allison reviewed the bids and proposal for a new Forestry Building. $100,000 was
budgeted in 2014. The current building received a bid to be sold for $157,000. Cost of the new
building is estimated at between $304,000 and $344,000. DNR has expressed interest in leasing
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space in the new building, to include them paying annual utility costs, maintenance of the
structure and an annual lease cost. The City of Washburn has committed to paying up to
$200,000 to put utilities into the building.
Budget Changes Spreadsheet:
• Discussion on whether to build an actual pavilion or just the concrete pad at the
Fairgrounds.
• Remove Dump Trailer.
• Restore entertainment funding to original figure.
• Bridge Aid Requests Up about $10,000.
• Remove $5000 from BCEDC for Paralympic event.
• BART $7000. Keep as is.
• NGLVC $6000, which is $2000 more than in the past. Keep as is.
• Add $7125 for trailer (paid over 8 years by DNR)
Goal is for the Executive Committee to make a recommendation to the Full County Board at the
October 10 meeting, for the County Board to consider on October 29th.
AERC lease ends July 2014. Budget reflects county management of the property for the second
half of 2014.
Personnel Committee will meet on October 8th for negotiations with WPPA.
The committee did not go in/out of executive session.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:30pm