HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/17/2014Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00PM, September 17, 2014
Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Bayfield County Annex Building, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Kenneth Jardine, Harold Maki, Dee Kittleson
Members Excused: Beth Meyers, Brett Rondeau, Shawn Miller
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison (Bayfield County Administrator), Kristine Kavajecz-
Assistant, Neil Schultz, Marco Bichanich, Sheriff Susienka, Tom Toepfer-Highway
Commissioner, William Bussey, Susan Butterfield, Gary Hagstrom
There was no quorum present. In the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair, Kittleson agreed to
act as Chair of the committee.
Kittleson called the meeting to order at 4:08pm.
Public Comment: Neil Schultz commented that 2 years ago the county gave the Northern Great
Lakes Visitor Center $5000, then $3000 last year. Encouraged the board to eliminate funding for
the center. Citizens deserve return on investment. Tourism Department is discretionary money.
Suggest that the Tourism Department should be either eliminated or at a minimum combined
with Economic Development.
Gary Hagstrom commented that he is disappointed that the full committee is not present. Agenda
and attachments were a disappointment because highway budget was nearly blank and difficult
to decipher. The most recent Highway Committee minutes on the web site are from May.
Suggested that the county consider using private industry standards for work rules in the
Highway Department and proper inspection of the work being done (specific concern with CTH-
H paving). Stated that the County Highway Department should not be competing with private
industry unless there is a significant cost advantage and that the advantage should be proven
(referred to highway trucks hauling gravel).
Discussion Regarding 2015 Budget:
Sheriff: Begins at page 137 of the budget proposal document. Abeles-Allison provided a brief
overview of the budget proposal. 3.9% increase in expenditures, 4.1% increase in the levy. Total
budget of just over $4 million.
2014 budget did not include wage adjustments within the departments, wage adjustments were
budgeted under the contingency line item. The 2015 budget includes additional funding to allow
one current dispatcher to be a lead dispatch supervisor and the hiring of part-time help to fill the
gap. WISCOM is a state initiative for communications. Detail on WISCOM is provided in the
capital improvement budget section, however, the budget also includes maintenance costs within
the Sheriff budget.
Revenues for the Sheriff’s Department are projected to be down due to the reduction of state
inmate boarding. Abeles-Allison reviewed several revenue line items where the County
Administrator increased the department’s revenue projection. Discussion regarding whether it
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would made sense to house juveniles. CODY law enforcement records management system is
used regionally, with costs shared by all entities that use the system.
Highway: Begins at page 272 of the budget proposal document. Goal of 6 miles of restoration
per year. 2015 budget proposes to use $1 million of General Fund Funds, and $800,000 in
highway fund balance. Traditionally $1.8 million levy. County board also authorized $500,000
additional per year for 5 years, plus $469,000 in 2015 of debt service dollars that are being
allocated for highway projects. Toepfer reported that Obey appropriations, CHIP discretionary,
ARRA, Surface Transportation aids have been the primary source of revenue funding for the past
5 years. Those funds are no longer available and county reserves have been exhausted. Cost
share on CTH-M will be an 80-20 grant, with the county paying the 20% in 2016. Toepfer
questioned the highway fund balance that is budgeted in 2015 stating that he believes the fund
balance will be depleted in 2014. Abeles-Allison will investigate the fund balance. Toepfer state
that he believes the CTH-G project will use up the fund balance in 2014. Abeles-Allison
explained differences between the department request and his recommendation: Administrator
recommendation does not set aside additional funds for 2016 projects. Question was asked if the
county could implement a sales tax that would be dedicated to road improvements. Administrator
took out funding request for paving the Mason Highway parking lot. Abeles-Allison explained
that a discussion needs to be had and a determination made by the board regarding the $1.87
million levy and what it is used for. The Highway Department states that this amount is only
sufficient to fund routine maintenance and winter maintenance. Should these funds be expected
to cover the cost of capital improvements within the Highway Department such as heating
upgrades etc. Susan Butterfield explained that in years past, budgets were inflated, resulting in
excess revenue that built up the fund balance. In recent years the budget has not been inflated
and fund balances have been used to pay for highway projects, depleting the fund balance.
Jardine assumed control of the meeting at 5:04pm. Kittleson exited the meeting at that time due
to another commitment.
Debate is whether the $1.87 million should include capital improvements within the highway
department.
Highway Equipment requests are detailed on page 276. Replacement of 2 plow trucks per year.
Added a sign truck in 2015 and buying one quad dump in place of 2 tri-axles. Digger with derek
is obsolete. Purchase tractor with loader.
The Administrator budget recommends including capital projects for the Highway Department
be included in their regular budget to be paid through the department levy, not be included in the
Capital Improvement Fund budget as supplement to the Highway Fund budget.
Bichanich exited the meeting at 5:20pm
Health Insurance: Abeles-Allison reviewed a handout outlining health insurance options for
2015. There are 2 options for 2015. 3% premium increase if the policy remains exactly the
same. 0% increase if Rx, Dr Office and Emergency Room Co-Pays are increased. There would
be no increase to the max out of pocket limit. Difference between the 3% and 0% would be
approximately $60,000.
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Capital Improvement Projects: Abeles-Allison reviewed the list of capital requests by
departments and provided brief explanations on the requests.
Meeting adjourned at 5:50pm.
Respectfully Submitted by Kristine Kavajecz, Assistant to the County Administrator