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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/16/2015Minutes of the Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting 4:00PM, September 16, 2015 EOC, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI Members Present: Kenneth Jardine, William Bussey, Brett Rondeau, Harold Maki, Dee Kittleson Members Excused or Absent: Shawn Miller Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz, Jim Crandall, John Bennett, Paul Houck, Tom Toepfer, Susan Butterfield, Elizabeth Skulan, Nikki Revak, Roger Aiken Public Comment: None Minutes of September 10, 2015: Motion Jardine, Maki to approve minutes of the September 10, 2015 meeting. Motion Carried. Budget Adjustment for Land and Water Conservation 2015 budget, Motion Bussey, Jardine to approve the budget adjustment as presented: Roll Call Vote: Kittleson-yes, Jardine-Yes, Rondeau-Yes, Bussey-Yes, Maki-Yes. Motion Carried (5-0). Allocation of contingency funding in 2015 for well abandonment for Land Conservation: Abeles-Allison reported that LWCD has requested $1500 for well abandonments through the end of 2015, 5 wells. Motion Bussey, Kittleson to approve designation of up to $1500 from contingency for well abandonment cost share for the remainder of 2015. Maki commented that he feels this cost should be the responsibility of the property owner. Motion Carried (3-2) Discussion Regarding 2016 Budget: Presentations made by various departments. All modifications will be noted and will be acted on after all budget meetings/presentations are completed. Abeles-Allison noted that the proposed budget includes a levy of 9,548,000, a $68,000 increase over last year. The county mill rate is proposed at 3.74, a .04 mill decrease from 2015. 1. Highway Department Budget: Tom Toepfer, Sue Butterfield provided a copy of the Highway Department Budget, which is slightly different than what was provided in the budget book. The question was brought up that monies are budgeted to be transferred to the Highway Fund and should those monies be transferred at the start of the year, or only what is needed once actual expenses are identified, with the balance remaining in the General Fund, but designated for Highway Purposes. Current practice, since funds have been transferred from the General Fund, is to retain the funds in the General Fund and transfer them as needed. Suggestion was made to confer with the county auditor on whether funds designated from highway must statutorily be transferred to highway and also if there is an impact on state aides if funds are retained in the General Fund verses the Highway Fund. 2. Information Technology Department: Paul Houck reviewed the proposed budget. Up 6.5% over 2015 primarily due to technology upgrades, which will be offset over a 5-year period. Houck reviewed the department’s list of capital equipment requested. 3. Human Services Department: Elizabeth Skulan, Nikki Revak reviewed the Human Services Department proposed budget. 0% increase for 2016. Proposal includes the addition of 1.5 FTE positions in 2016. These positions would aide Social Workers with required paperwork, allowing social workers to have more time directly with clients. The committee clarified that the new positions must also be approved through the Personnel Committee. 4. Forestry Department: Jason Bodine reviewed the Forestry Department budget. Estimating a 1% increase in revenue and 1% decrease in expenses from 2015. Bodine reviewed capital improvement/equipment requests. 2015 timber sale revenues are on track to reach $4.5 million. It was also mentioned that the DNR has approached the county about purchasing some land in Bayfield near Ashwabay. Two grants received after the budget proposal was developed will be added to the final budget and will not impact the levy. 5. Interdepartmental Department (General Fund): Abeles-Allison reviewed the details included in this budget. It was noted that property insurance is unsure at this time. The current insurer is proposing to increase their rates 50%. The BART allocation may be adjusted. Library allocations are projected to increase approximately $13,000. Capital Improvement transfers are budgeted at nearly $1million. Transfer to the Highway Fund is budgeted at approximately $1.1 million. Question was asked if all 3 counties contribute the same amount toward the Tri-County Corridor. 6. Other Funds: • The dog license fund will utilize $10,000 of its fund balance. • Sheriff’s Squad Car Fund is used for vehicles and associated equipment on the vehicles. Total expenses of $239,000 estimated in 2016. • County Motor Pool Fund purchases between 4-6 vehicles per year. County average cost per mile is about .40 per mile. • Northern Lights Bonding Debt Service Fund of about $473,000 in 2016, paid by Northern Lights. Reminder that this amount is used as additional levy authority. If Northern Lights refinances or pays off the debt, it would reduce the levy authority currently being used to increase the levy for the Highway Department. • UW Extension Program Fund is used for special programs that pay for themselves, no levy needed. • Jail Assessment Fund is funded through a portion of fines paid. This fund has been steadily decreasing over recent years. These funds can be used for improvements in the jail. • Veteran’s Relief uses $1500 of levy for emergency services needed by veterans. • Housing Rehabilitation is a revolving fund. • Health Reserve Fund has $120,000 in fund balance. The fund is proposed to use some of the fund balance for wellness related equipment and programming. • Ag Station/Business Park does not anticipate any revenue in 2016. $45,000 in fund balance is planned for infrastructure improvements and some maintenance. Next budget meeting will be held on September 24 at 4:00 in the EOC. Abeles-Allison noted that the Highway Department has requested one additional position in the department and there is a write-up in the budget book detailing the request. A total of 3.5 new positions county wide was requested, 1 in Highway, 1.5 in Human Services and 1 in the Sheriff’s Dept. Meeting Adjourned at 6:00 pm.