HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 10/7/20191
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
3:00pm, October 7, 2019
Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Jeff Silbert (via telephone), Jeremy Oswald, Dennis
Pocernich, Fred Strand, Tom Gordon
Members Excused:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator; Kristine Kavajecz-Assistant,
Harold Maki, Tom Snilsberg, Gail Severud
Meeting Called to Order at 3:00pm by Rondeau.
Public Comment: Gail Severud spoke to the committee regarding concerns with Enbridge pipeline
#5. Line 5 crosses Fish Creek and she is concerned with the condition of the balance of the pipeline
and the impact future flooding/natural disasters could have. She would like to see the county take
up this concern like they did with the CAFO to study impacts.
Motion Gordon, Pocernich to approve Minutes of September 19, 2019. Motion Carried
(6-0)
Proposed 2020 County Budget and authorization to publish in preparation for the October 29
Public Hearing: Abeles-Allison shared a handout with topics and corresponding page numbers in
the budget book to be discussed. Also handed out was a list of changes that have been discussed
by the committee and how they will be reflected in the budget if approved.
Need to include $18,500 of carry-over for Laserfische records management.
Personnel Committee approved indexing of the wage schedule by 1.5% rather than .5% as
originally budgeted. The original budget proposal included funding in contingency for
wage/benefit adjustments. The DHS committee has also requested that Social Worker wages be
reviewed and adjusted if necessary to remain competitive in the marketplace. The budget
includes a 10% increase for health insurance. Current estimates from the Health insurance
carrier is a 20% increase. Several options are being explored including, Group Health Trust,
Teamster Health, additional options with Security Health, and the State Health Insurance plan.
Motion Silbert, Strand to recommend the budget with levy at 11418239 mill rate of 4.22
and authorize publication of the budget summary for public hearing on Oct 29th.
Discussion was held regarding current unassigned funds in the amount of $9million.
Question was asked why we would borrow money and pay interest for highways when
we have fund balance available. Explanation was that if the half million is used in fund
2
balance each year for highway improvements, the fund balance will be depleted quickly.
Auditors recommend that funds in the amount of 25% of the budget be set aside in
reserve in case of emergency. $2.5 million will be moved from unassigned to designated
fund balance.
Motion Carried (6-0) Silbert exited the meeting at this time.
County Mileage Rates: Abeles-Allison reported that the state and IRS are at .58 cents
per mile.
Motion Pocernich, Gordon to increase mileage rates from .51 to .58 cents per mile
effective November 1, 2019. Motion Carried (5-0)
Northern Lights Loan: Northern Lights has made a number of changes over the past
several months under the new management. They are currently paying approximately
$8,000 per month in penalties and late fees on outstanding debts. Bremer Bank is willing
to loan Bayfield County $500,000 at the rate of 2.61% over a 5-year payback. Bremer
will allow Northern Lights to make the payments, but they cannot be the borrower.
Discussion was held whether the county should use fund balance to make this payment to
Northern Lights rather than through a loan.
Motion Gordon, Pocernich to authorize the County Administrator, Treasurer and Corp
counsel to determine what the best option would be to provide the funding to Northern
Lights, either as a direct loan or a loan through Bremer Bank, and to make a
recommendation to the full county board at the October 29 meeting.
Broadband Grant and Partnership/Tower Agreements for Bayfield Wireless: The
request is to place a repeater on the Maple Hill Tower. Bayfield Wireless will make a
payment to the county similar to the agreement that was established on the Bayfield
tower. There is no cost to the county, but helps to increase the broadband service offered
in the county.
Motion Gordon, Oswald to proceed with drafting a new agreement with Bayfield
Wireless and bring to the full county board at the end of October. Motion Carried (5-0)
a. Reports:
a. Financial Report, end of September: Revenues are at 69% overall, should be 75%. YTD
amounts are slightly lower than the same time last year, primarily due to lower forestry
revenues. Expenditures in Tourism is up slightly over last year, but the general fund at
68%, slightly lower than this time last year. Human Services is reflecting less revenues
and less expenditures than this time last year. Highway reflecting revenues and
expenditures very similar to this time last year.
b. Treasurer Report/New World Cash Report, end of September: Cash balances are showing
3
down about $400,000 over this time last year. Funds were used for Jail and Highway
projects. World Class Manufacturing is on schedule with payments. Iron River Incubator
loan is nearing final payment.
c. CWD Report: 2 interns working on this project. Six kiosks have been established
throughout the area to collect deer carcasses and test for CWD.
d. Audit Update: Audit has been completed and report has been received. Three separate
documents were received: Financial Statements, Single Audit and Report of Findings. A
full report will be made by the Auditors to the County Board in November.
Motion Pocernich, Gordon to move into Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1)(g),
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.
a) Approve Closed Session Minutes of September 12, 2019
b) Red Cliff Lawsuit
c) Worker’s Compensation Claim/Subrogation
Entered closed session at 4:15pm. Motion Carried.
Motion Gordon, Oswald to return to open session. Motion Carried (5-0)
Meeting Adjourned at 4:32p.m.
Minutes submitted by Kristine Kavajecz