HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 8/14/2018Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00PM, August 14, 2014
Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Bayfield County Annex Building, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Shawn Miller, Kenneth Jardine, Harold Maki
Members Excused: Dee Kittleson, Beth Meyers
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison (Bayfield County Administrator), Kristine Kavajecz-
Assistant, Dennis Pocernich, Scott Fibert (County Clerk), Kelly Trepanier (Maintenance
Supervisor), Scott Galetka (Land Records Administrator), Paul Houck (Information Technology
Director), Kay Cederberg (Clerk of Court), Patricia Olson (Register of Deeds), Scottie
Sandstrom (BCEDC), Dan Anderson (County Treasurer), Christine Kelly (Alliance for
Sustainability).
Rondeau called the meeting to order at 4:00pm.
Motion Jardine, Miller to approve minutes of July 10, 2014. Motion Carried.
Public Comment: None
2015 Budget Discussions
County Clerk: Scott Fibert reported an anticipated levy reduction for this department of $8,000.
Review of the department narrative including accomplishments and goals.
Maintenance: Kelly Trepanier reviewed projects completed in 2014, projects in progress, and
some long-term maintenance concerns including the employee parking lot to the East of the
Courthouse. Reported that he intends to retire the beginning of 2015.
Information Technology: Paul Houck reported that it was a busy year so far. Summary of
significant projects competed incluing: Completed new website in February. New back-up
solution in place with duplicate kept in Sawyer County daily. Technology survey completed and
being used to plan for coming years. Email system needs to be overhauled. Researching
Office365 as an alternative. Estimating a 3% increase in the budget for 2015. There was a 4%
decrease last year.
Land Records: Scott Galetka reported that his budget will be very similar to last year. New plat
books will begin to be compiled in 2014, to be completed in 2015. Platbook survey to be sent out
in the near future to identify any needed changes to the book. Multiple department licensing for
servers to be centralized in the Land Records budget. Lidar would cost $302,000 for the entire
county at 2 foot contour. Handout of photos was provided snowing the different aerial imagery
options.
Register of Deeds: Patricia Olson reported that in 2010, the law changed and modified fees
collected for documents that are recorded. Act 20 states that the fee will now to go the state as of
January 1, 2015 rather than the county. She reviewed the fees for recording documents and how
they are distributed. The county will receive less revenue than in the past. Recordings for
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property are down the first half of 2014. No other significant changes to the Register of Deeds
budget are anticipated.
Clerk of Court: Kay Cederberg estimated that revenues will remain pretty much the same as last
year, although they were initially expected to drop. Estimate of $200,000 levy for the Circuit
Court offices. Capital Improvement request includes repairs and upgrades to courtroom
equipment as necessary.
County Treasurer: Dan Anderson reported that his budget will remain very similar to last year.
Interest income is very low. Beginning in October, the county will begin paying a fee to the bank
for services. Cost will be approximately $2500 per year. Suggestion from the committee to
develop and distribute a RFP for banking services.
Alliance for Sustainability: Christine Kelly provided a handout and summarized the history of
the organization. She reviewed the results of a study that the alliance conducted to identify what
is needed for a thriving community. Kelly explained that the alliance is introducing a new
program “Audacity 2040”. They are requesting a contribution of $5000-$10,000 to assist with
establishing this initiative (staffing/overhead). They will also be making this request to other
communities. Unless they receive support from all communities, they will not follow-up on the
actual access to the funds.
County Administrator: Reviewed a couple of major line items that are expected to change in
2015 including and projected increase in Sales tax revenue and HRA fund revenues. He provided
a brief update on a couple of specific line items that are requesting increases in 2015. The
committee reviewed requests from several external agencies requesting funds. Abeles-Allison
reported that net new construction will allow approximately $41,000 in additional levy authority,
while equalized value decreased.
Air Quality Standards Presentation-Bad River: Abeles-Allison reported that the Bad River
representative was unable to attend the meeting tonight. Committee advised the Administrator to
meet with this individual and report to the committee if it is pertinent to the county.
Resolution Opposing Proposed Lapse In State Funding To Circuit Court: Kay Cederberg
reported that information obtained today indicates that this resolution should be rescinded at this
time.
County Maintenance Department Planning: Maintenance Supervisor intent is to retire at the
end of 2014. A draft job description was reviewed. Current staffing level is 1-FT Custodian, 1-
FT Cleaning Person, 1-PT Cleaning Person, 1-PT Occasional employee as well as the FT
Maintenance Supervisor. Suggestion from the committee that experience may be substituted for
technical degree. Abeles-Allison will revise the job description with the suggestions and bring
back for further review.
Youth in Local Government Program: Abeles-Allison reported on a new initiative for the
county to consider involving youth within the county government structure. Consensus of the
committee was that youth involvement would be a positive for the county.
Merit Network Request for additional easement: Merit currently has a Fiber Hut at the Ag
Station. They need more space for a generator, approximately 63 sq ft. They have proposed a
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permanent easement. Based on the recommendation of the committee this would also be
considered by the Development & Land Sales Committee.
Motion Jardine, Miller to approve the proposed easement with Merit Network and to forward to
the Development & Land Sales Committee for final action. Motion Carried.
Budget Transfer of CIP funds for Project Modules/Grants: County Clerk’s Office originally
budgeted $10,000 for a new postal meter in 2014 which will not be spent. They are proposing
that the funds be used to purchase an additional accounting module for tracking grants and
projects this year instead. Several staff will be visiting another county to view the module.
Report on 2014 Budget, as of July 31, 2014: Review of revenues and expenditures through the
end of July.
County Treasurer Report, July 2014: Currently tax season, so the balances at the end of July
included tax revenues, which will be disbursed in August.
Banking Agreement: Review of the proposed banking agreement with Bremer Bank.
Committee suggested distributing an RFP for banking services for comparison.
Ag Station Update: Abeles-Allison displayed a photo of the business sign at the ag station.
Also viewed a photo of the Lt Governor and local dignitaries visiting the Superior Sauna
facilities. Contract with South Shore Brewery has not yet been finalized. Natural Gas
applications have been submitted for several facilities at the ag station. Sandstrom reported that
he will be meeting with APEX officials to develop materials to market the Ag Station as a
business location. Discussion regarding the houses will be placed on the next agenda.
Closed session was postponed until the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 6:25pm.
Respectfully Submitted by Kristine Kavajecz, Assistant to the County Administrator