HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/28/2017Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:30pm, September 28, 2017
County Board Room, Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Jeff Silbert, William Bussey, Harold Maki, Shawn Miller
Members Excused: Fred Strand
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kris Kavajecz-Assistant, Scott
Galetka-Land Records Administrator, Darryl Pendergrass-Washburn Library, Amy Jarecki-
Health Office Manager,
Meeting called to order at 4:30 pm by Chairman Rondeau.
Public Comment: None
Minutes of September 27, 2017 meeting will take place on October 2, 2017.
2018 Budget:
Library Request: Summary of funds for various library expenses was reviewed. Total library
expenses for 2018 will be decreased slightly from 2017 due to a decrease in circulations and a
reduction in the amount of Building Strong Library Program requests. Darryl Pendergrass
explained that Act 420 refers to check-outs by Bayfield County Citizens in libraries in counties
adjacent to Bayfield County. Pendergrass stated that Bayfield County has been providing
$187,590 to Bayfield County Libraries as a base for the past several years. This is currently
approximately 80% of the full funding for libraries. Additional monies are provided through the
Building Strong Libraries program. Darryl stated that the libraries appreciate the funds provided
by the County. Silbert commended Darryl on the programming at the Washburn Library.
Land Records: This budget is proposed to be up about 26% from 2017 in part due to the
HydroAtlas project and for the second half of funding for the Full-time Surveyor. Projected levy
is up 15% due to the Surveyor position. One request of the department that was not included in
the budget was to move the two current contracted positions to regular county positions.
Galetka explained several uses for the purchase of a proposed drone. The recent flooding was
used as an example He explained that the Sheriff’s office, Zoning, Highway and possibly the
Forestry and Land Conservation offices will have uses for the proposed drone.
Motion by Maki to deny the inclusion of the drone. Chairman stated a motion is not appropriate
at this time. Action on the budget will take place all at one time. Clarification that the drone will
be maintained in the Land Records office and initially only Land Records staff will be trained to
use the equipment.
Request was made by Silbert that side conversations be avoided when speakers are making
presentations.
Health: Amy Jarecki was present to answer questions regarding the Health Department budget.
Major areas of the Health Department are: Public Health, Environmental Health, WIC, 6.7%
decrease in this department’s levy.
Capital Improvement requests for the Health Department in 2018 are $33,845 including:
Kitchen/break area improvements, Community wellness infrastructure, fitness trainer, fitness
equipment and chair replacement.
The committee was reminded that projects and purchases in the capital improvement fund are
funded with a transfer of fund balance from the general fund. Original requests for all capital
improvement projects and purchases were about $1.5 million. The proposed budget has pared
that down to approximately $1.1 million.
General Fund Departments: Abeles-Allison reviewed major transfers proposed from the General
Fund. $1.5 million to Highway $1.1 million to Capital Improvements, $27,000 Reforestations,
$100,000 Motor Pool and $150,000 for the Business Park Road. Total Fund Balances proposed
to be used were reviewed.
Miller exited the meeting at 5:37pm.
County Clerk office budget reflects a proposed increase due to elections in 2018 and a proposed
increase in staff.
Emergency Management department budget reflects an increase in expenses due to Hazzard
Mitigation Grant and communication maintenance contracts associated with the WISCOM
system. The actual levy in this department will decrease because of additional revenues from
tower rentals and mitigation grant funding.
All departments were provided with their proposed budgets as recommended by the County
Administrator. Abeles-Allison was asked what departments are going to object to the
modifications that were proposed. Sheriff, Forestry and Highway may have concerns with
proposed budget modifications.
The committee reviewed the portion of taxes that go to each taxing entity in the county. On
average, citizens with a property valued at $100,000 would pay about $17 per year toward the
nursing home debt.
Agency Requests: Abeles-Allison reviewed the list of agency requests.
Internal Services Funds: No significant changes in these budgets from the previous year. Jail
Assessment funds can only be used for physical improvements in the jail. The Business Park
budget includes $100,000 fund balance, $150,000 transfer from the general fund and a $250,000
anticipated grant.
Capital Improvement Fund:
$400,000 is budgeted for a solar investment. Abeles-Allison reviewed various options for
investing with Xcel Energy including: Eau Claire or LaCrosse solar garden, Bayfield County
solar garden, solar panel installation on Bayfield County buildings, or local grid that could be
located somewhere in the local area. Committee discussed that this expenditure is essentially a
place holder. The final approval would be made by the County Board if the project would come
to reality.
Next budget meeting is Monday, Oct 2.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:35pm.
Minutes submitted by Kris Kavajecz