HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 1/10/2019Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, January 10, 2019
Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Fred Strand, Brett Rondeau , Jeff Silbert, Jeremy Oswald, Dennis
Pocernich, Tom Gordon
Members Excused:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kris Kavajecz-Assistant, Scott
Fibert-County Clerk, Kim Mattson-Accountant
Meeting Called to Order at 4:00pm by Rondeau.
Public Comment: None
Motion Gordon, Pocernich to approve Minutes of December 13, 2018. Motion Carried
2018 Financial Overview: Review of the end of December 2018 cash balance report from the
Treasurer’s office. The cash balance is about $2.3 million less in 2018 than in 2017. In part, this
is due to unreimbursed flood expenses and changes to the Northern Lights lease payment
schedule. The committee reviewed the end of 2018 financial report as of January 10, 2019. Fund
balance history was reviewed. Abeles-Allison explained that historically, if excess revenues have
been observed, those monies would be used for special projects and highways the next year.
Because excess revenues are declining, more fund balances are being needed to fund capital
projects and highway projects. Current undesignated fund balance is around $6million. If excess
revenues were not available, fund balances would be used up in 2-3 years.
Audit Contract: Mid-December the county was notified that Maitland, Singler and VanVlack
will no longer be conducting audits. RFP was distributed for audit services. Only one company
provided a proposal for audit services. Baker Tilly conducts audits throughout the state including
several local governmental entities. References were checked and several conversations have
been held with BakerTilly. After negotiation, Baker Tilly has agreed to a reduced fee for the first
year, with a 5-year commitment.
Motion Gordon, Pocernich to approve an agreement with Baker Tilly to provide audit services
for a period of 5 years. Motion Carried.
Highway Finance Plan: Draft Highway Plan for 2020-2024 was reviewed. Discussion was held
regarding options available to ensure that sufficient funding is available to meet county highway
reconstruction goals in the coming years as excess revenues decrease. This information is being
provided as information for the Executive Committee for budgeting/planning purposes. A more
in-depth discussion will be held with the Highway Committee at their upcoming meeting.
Highway Budget Amendment: The committee reviewed a draft resolution addressing 2018
expenses in the Highway Department as a result of flooding and late bills for construction work.
The department will be over budget. A transfer will need to be approved from the General Fund
to the Highway Fund. The exact figures will be provided at the County Board meeting.
Motion Gordon, Pocernich to recommend to the county board to authorize a budget amendment
transferring fund balance from the General Fund to the Highway Fund to offset temporary
overages for 2018. Motion Carried.
Reports:
a. Bayfield Wireless Update: The project is ongoing
b. Contract Employee Agreements: Contractor had difficulty obtaining health insurance
coverage for their employees for 2019. This issue has been resolved.
c. Northern Lights Update: Director Jennifer Augustine has resigned. Applications for
Administrator are being reviewed with interviews planned in the near future. Discussion
was held regarding whether the County will have a representative on the selection
committee. Silbert reported that a sewer main broke, estimated cost of repair $26,000
with another significant expense to upgrade the failing system. Carriage Health has made
a new proposition to reduce the monthly cost to $5,000 temporarily.
d. Construction Projects: 3 construction projects have not yet gone out to bid.
Approval of Closed Session Minutes of December 13, 2018.
Motion Pocernich, Silbert to approve closed session minutes of December 13, 2018. Motion
Carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 5:06 pm.
Minutes submitted by Kristine Kavajecz