HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/13/2018Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, September 13, 2018
Emergency Operations Center, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Jeff Silbert, Fred Strand, Tom Gordon, Dennis Pocernich, Jeremy Oswald,
Brett Rondeau
Members Excused:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kris Kavajecz-Assistant, John
Carlson-Corporation Counsel, Harold Maki, Northern Lights Representatives: Jennifer
Augustine, Colleen Daley, Mike Bailey, Peter Bremmer
Meeting Called to Order at 4:00pm by Rondeau.
Public Comment: None Received
Minutes of August 8, 2018: Motion Strand, Silbert to approve minutes of August 8, 2018. Motion
Carried.
Coroner / Cremation Fees: 4 years ago the committee discussed adjusting cremation fees.
Ashland County is at $125. State of Wisconsin allows for cremation fees to be increased by no
more than the cost of living each year.
Motion Silbert, Pocernich to increase the coroner fees by the allowed cost of living. Motion
Carried.
2019 Budget Presentation: Budget Books for the 2019 proposed budget were distributed to
board members present. Abeles-Allison explained how the book is structured and gave an
overview of the topics included in each section within the book. The master budget worksheet
was reviewed. The average mill rate is proposed at 3.71 and a $9,630,692 levy, which is
$99,149 less than 2018. This is the maximum levy that the county is allowed to have. Net new
construction increased .64%. The budgeted levy is also includes: unreimbursed flood expenses,
bridge aide, libraries and debt service. Personal property aid is a new factor this year which
decreases the levy by $12,299. The total budget reflects a 1% reduction in overall expenditures
and levy.
Abeles-Allison reported that forestry revenues are dropping and 2019 is expected to continue this
trend. Comment supporting the 2% of timber sales that has been going to towns. It was stated
that this comes back to the county in terms of better access for the logging community, making
Bayfield County a preferred business location. Brief discussion was held regarding forestry
revenue projections in the budget.
The budget also addresses the priorities identified in the budget survey.
Consensus of the committee was to table this discussion until after the closed session to
accommodate the Northern Lights Representatives that arrived at this time.
Motion Pocernich, Gordon to move into Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1)(e)(f)(g),
deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or
conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require
a closed session; considering financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data
of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation
of charges against specific persons except where par. (b) applies which, if discussed in public,
would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to
in such histories or data or involved in such problems or investigations; and conferring with
legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning
strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become
involved. Motion Carried. Entered Closed Session at 4:26 pm. Northern Lights Representatives
and John Carlson were invited to remain in the closed session.
Motion Silbert, Pocernich to return to open session. Motion Carried. Entered Open Session at
5:34pm.
A short break was observed. The committee reconvened at 5:40pm
The committee continued their discussion regarding the 2019 proposed budget. Abeles-Allison
reviewed actions the county has and is taking that work toward addressing the budget priorities
identified in the budget survey.
Items include:
Over the past 3 years, 31 miles of road have been resurfaced.
The business park road project was completed.
Addresses Land and Water Conservation concerns. Brief discussion took place regarding
a possible Lakes/Water Specialist position. Strand reported that AIS funding is
anticipated to decline in the future. The proposal would be to fund a staff person partially
with AIS funding and partially with tax dollars.
Northern Lights-working to ensure continued viability.
Youth and Fairgrounds: Youth scholarship and Fairgrounds upgrades.
Substance Abuse: Jail Holding Cells, K-9 planning, Criminal Justice substance abuse
strategy
County Infrastructure: Computer System and Phone System Upgrades, Engineering for
Highway Department parking lot design, DHS renovation on unutilized office/storage
space under the courtroom.
Valuation has increased 2%.
The committee reviewed the proposed Fund Balance Utilization total of $2,490,086. (General,
Highway, Veterans, Dog License and Health Funds)
The committee reviewed Levy Distribution by Fund.
Staffing requests included 4.4FTE. The proposed budget includes 1.94FTE of these requests.
The committee reviewed the details of these positions on page 42 of the proposed budget book.
Labor costs represent about 42% of the proposed operating budget.
Bayfield County is currently levying 100% of what is allowable.
Budget meeting date were set for:
Sept 20, 4:00pm
Sept 27, 6:00
Oct 10, 4:00
Oct 11, 4:00
Health Insurance was budgeted at 10% premium increase. The renewal came in at 19.8%. The
Health Insurance Focus Group will be meeting to discuss plan design.
Reports: were provided in the meeting packet.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:30pm.
Minutes submitted by Kristine Kavajecz