HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 11/12/20191
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
5:00pm, November 12, 2019
County Board Room, Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Jeff Silbert, Jeremy Oswald, Dennis Pocernich, Fred Strand, Tom Gordon
(5:10pm)
Members Excused: Brett Rondeau
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator; Kristine Kavajecz-Assistant
Meeting Called to Order at 5:00pm by Vice-Chairman Silbert.
Public Comment: None received
Motion Strand, Pocernich to approve Minutes of October 7, 2019. Motion Carried (4-0)
Amending the 2020 County Levy: Abeles-Allison reported that the Highway Department will
be receiving funds for flood related expenses that were not originally anticipated. This will
reduce the levy by approximately $70,000
Motion Oswald, Pocernich to recommend to the County Board to modify the 2020 County Levy
and reduce the mill rate accordingly. Motion Carried (4-0)
Gordon arrived at this time.
Allowing access to the Bayfield County Health Reserve Fund in 2020, to help departments
pay for health insurance overages related to the change in health plans, up to $115,000:
Abeles-Allison reported that the Personnel Committee and County Board have approved
switching to the State of Wisconsin Health Insurance plan in 2020. The committee asked the
amount that is budgeted in the Health Reserve Fund, which is over $400,000.
Motion Strand, Gordon to authorize access to the Health Insurance Reserve Fund up to
$115,000 in 2020 for health insurance premiums related to change to the State of Wisconsin
Health Insurance Plan. Motion Carried (5-0)
Endorsing the Shaw Point Historic District on Sand Island, Town of Bayfield,
Bayfield County: Silbert reported that the entities he has spoken with support this
designation.
Motion Gordon, Oswald to support the historic site designation of the Shaw Point
Historic District on Sand Island, Town of Bayfield. Motion Carried (5-0)
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Board Compensation Resolution: The County Board will be considering a resolution
this evening revising the per diems for County Board members. Proposal is to keep
meeting per diems at $50, increased to $100 if 2 or more in a day. Also to compensate
full County Board Meetings and committee meetings that exceed 4 hours to $100.
Motion Gordon, Pocernich to recommend that per diems be set at $75 for a meeting.
$100 for County Board Meetings, meetings that exceed 4 hours, or when a board member
attends 2 or more meetings on the same day. Discussion took place on various
scenarios, the financial impact, and time commitments of those board members that travel
further distances. Motion Carried (4-1 with Silbert opposed) Motion Carried.
HR Proposal and budget amendment: Abeles-Allison reported that the Personnel
Committee recommends increasing PT staffing in the County Administrator’s Office to
20 hours per week and converting the Assistant to the County Administrator Position to
Human Resource Director. The estimated cost to modify these 2 position is just under
$20,000. Recommendation is to authorize a budget amendment to utilize contingency
Motion Gordon, Strand to support the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and
allocate up to $20,000 from contingency to cover the additional personnel costs related
to the modifications in the County Administrator’s office. Motion Carried (5-0).
Pocernich noted that he would like to see a dedicated HR person in the future. Abeles-
Allison noted that a formal budget amendment will be presented once the modifications
take place effective January 1, 2020.
Reports:
a. Financial Report, end of October: Revenues are at about 73% of budgeted amounts,
but very similar to the revenue collected at this same time last year. Internal transfers will
not take place until the end of the year once totals are identified. Overall the General
Fund is at 72% of expenditures budgeted. Human Services is within budget. Highway
Fund is at 82% of revenues and expenditures are up about a Million dollars over last year
due to the additional highway work that was approved. Overall budget is within allowed.
b. Treasurer Report/New World Cash Report, October: Treasurer balance in down
approximately $1.5 million from this time last year, primarily due to highway expenses.
This is the lowest balance since 2015. The county has made a concerted effort to reduce
balances for the past several years. Other bank balances were reviewed. The highway
short term loan is reflected on the treasurer report as a new debt.
Motion Pocernich, Gordon to move into Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1)(g), for the
purpose of approving closed session minutes of October 7, 2019. Motion Carried (5-0)
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Entered closed session at 5:40pm. Motion Carried (5-0).
Motion Strand, Pocernich to approve closed session minutes of October 7, 2019. Motion
Carried. (5-0)
Motion Pocernich, Strand to return to open session. Motion Carried (5-0)Returned to open
session at 5:43pm
Meeting Adjourned at 5:43 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Kristine Kavajecz