HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/11/2014Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00PM, September 11, 2014
Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Bayfield County Annex Building, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Shawn Miller, Kenneth Jardine, Harold Maki, Beth Meyers.
Dee Kittleson
Members Excused: None
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison (Bayfield County Administrator), Kristine Kavajecz-
Assistant, Dennis Pocernich, Scottie Sandstrom (BCEDC), Jennifer Augustine (Northern Lights
Health Care), William Bussey, Marco Bichanich, Kay Cederberg (4:12), John Adams
Rondeau called the meeting to order at 4:03pm.
Motion Jardine, Maki to approve minutes of August 14, 2014. Motion Carried.
Public Comment: None
Northern Lights: Jennifer Augustine with Northern Lights provided an update on the status of
Northern Lights Operations. She presented the annual request to extend the letter of credit.
Augustine reported that all but one month so far in 2014 has been financially positive. She
reported that major changes have been made to billing systems, which have increased revenues.
The Assisted Living facility is extremely successful.
Motion Meyers, Jardine to recommend to the County Board to approve the extension of the line
of credit and unemployment reserve in the amount of $200,000 for another year. Motion
Carried.
Ag Station Buildings: Abeles-Allison reviewed notes that were included with the meeting
packet. WEDC, BCEDC, and APEX have been working on a plan for marketing the site.
Sandstrom reported that an overview of the property is being reviewed by these marketing
agencies and a plan being developed for the future of the site. Property is currently being
surveyed with the basis of 10 acre parcels. Abeles-Allison looking for direction on how to
proceed with the houses and land for the next 12 months. Leases could include release clauses.
Natural Gas service is currently being run to the Ag Station by Xcel Energy.
Motion Miller, Rondeau to discontinue rental of the houses on the site. Discussion. Motion
Failed 2-4.
Motion Kittleson, Jardine to continue month-to-month house rentals at $650 per month plus
utilities. Motion Carried 5-1.
Comment was made that to get top dollar for field rental it would require multiple year lease.
Suggestion to offer 5-year lease with potential clause allowing for sale of a portion or all of the
land. Abeles-Allison to bring back an RFP on this topic.
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Banking RFP: Abeles-Allison reported he spoke with departments to gain input on the topic of
changing banks. He reviewed concerns identified by the departments. Suggestion by the County
Clerk’s Office to delay the RFP process until summer of 2015, for January 1, 2016
implementation. Consensus of the committee was to go along with the recommendation of the
County Clerk’s Office.
Project Management Module: Study group travelled to Burnett County to investigate this
accounting software. Abeles-Allison reported that there are funds available in the current year
budget (instead of purchasing a postage machine) for this purchase.
Motion Meyers, Jardine to approve expenditure of $7000 for the Project Management Module.
Motion Carried 5-1.
Budget 2015: 2015 proposed budget was distributed to board members. A schedule of budget
meetings was also distributed. $29 million dollar budget proposed for 2015. Levy increase being
proposed is 1.1% increase. Equalized value for the county decreased about $30 million. Net new
construction allowed for $37,000 increase in levy limit. $2.1 million of undesignated fund
balance proposed to be used in 2015, including the $.5 million highway commitment. County is
levying the maximum amount allowed by law. Review of the budget proposal by General Fund
department. Review of the structure of the budget book and what each section includes.
Review of Budget meeting schedule.
Abeles-Allison reviewed a couple of major items that are included in the budget proposal: 1)
Highway Improvement funding. This budget includes the use of Highway Fund Balance, which
will not be available in future years.
Reports:
$10,000 grant is anticipated for IT equipment.
Brighter Futures Grant for the Health Department for work with youth is being submitted.
2014 budget is looking good so far. Revenues are at 89% of budgeted revenues for the year.
Expenses are at 62% of budget for the year.
County Treasurer’s report shows all-time high bank balances for this time of year.
Motion Meyers, Kittleson to enter in and out of executive session pursuant to Wis. Stats.
19.85(1)(e) for discussion and possible action to approve minutes of the July 10, 2014 closed
session. Entered closed session at 5:45pm
Motion Miller, Jardine to approve minutes of July 10. Motion Carried.
Motion Miller, Kittleson to return to open session. Motion Carried. Returned to open session at
5:45pm.
Meeting adjourned at 5:45pm.
Respectfully Submitted by Kristine Kavajecz, Assistant to the County Administrator