HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/14/2020 (2)1
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, September 14, 2020
Meeting was held in the County Board Room and Remotely, with phone
and/or video access for members and the public.
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Jeff Silbert, Dennis Pocernich, Fred Strand, Mary
Dougherty
Members Excused: Marty Milanowski,
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Bob Anderson-Highway Superintendent, Elizabeth Skulan-Human Services
Director, Nikki Revak-Financial Manager DHS, Paul Johanik-Highway Commissioner, Jim
Crandall, Steve Sandstrom, Jeremy Oswald, Sheriff Paul Susienka, Charly Ray, Larry Fickbohm
(5:40)
Meeting Called to Order at 4:00pm by Rondeau.
Public Comment: None Received
Approval of Minutes of September 10, 2020: Motion Strand, Silbert to approve minutes
of the September 10, 2020 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried (6-0)
2021 Budget:
Abeles-Allison reviewed the timeline for public hearing and budget publication.
Changes spreadsheet was shown that will be used to track possible changes to the budget
as discussions take place. The spreadsheet is used to make final decisions once all
presentations and discussion are concluded.
The budget summary spreadsheet for the proposed budget was reviewed, which
summarizes all funds with associated proposed revenues, expenses and levy. Departments
in the General Fund are also detailed separately.
Base levy is $8,792,798 . $45,368 in net new construction may also be added to the levy.
Additional funds can be levied, which are exempt from the base levy lid. Additional levy
is applied for Nursing Home Debt Service, Highway Debt and Libraries. Bridge aide for
Towns is also exempt, however, there is no amount levied in 2020 for this purpose
because there is a fund balance available for Bridge Aide that will be used for 2021.
89% of the county’s levy is used for the 3 largest departments: Human Services,
Highway and Sheriff’s office.
2
Human Services: Elizabeth Skulan provided an overview of the Human Services Fund
proposed budget. She reported that in 2021, Bayfield County will no longer be the fiscal
agent for the ADRC of the North, this accounts for a significant reduction in the budget.
Requested an increase in the county levy initially for meals. This was eliminated by the
County Admin, who recommended that Risk Reserve be used instead. Skulan reported
that congregate meal sites are not currently being used. A grab and go system is being
used. This service is a higher cost. During the pandemic the Federal Government has
opened the home delivered meal program to any senior. The current Risk Reserve Fund
for DHS is $355,000. Skulan reported that the Human Services Board is supportive of
the request for additional levy rather than the use of Risk Reserve. There were previously
4 sections in the department: Family Services, Aging/Disability Services, Economic
Support, and Administrative Support Services. The Comprehensive Community Services
(CCS) program was added in 2019. In 2020 a Manager was added to create a separate
section in the department. The CCS program is primarily funded with State and Federal
dollars.
Human Services budget is approximately $5.7 million, a 23% drop from 2020, with $1.8
million of levy.
Sheriff’s Office: Sheriff Susienka
$6.74 million budget. $3.27million levy. Several new personnel over the past 6 months
have resulted in significantly lower personnel expenses in the department. Health
Insurance premium savings will also be observed. Prisoner boarding revenues have
decreased significantly related to the pandemic.
Pleased with the K-9 performance so far.
The committee reviewed the Squad Car Fund, which is utilized as an internal fund. This
fund is budgeted at approximately $240,000. Sheriff’s Office is experimenting with a
leased vehicle. Snowmobile purchase is also going to be included in the squad fund
beginning in 2021.
Sheriff requested a copy of the budget book once finalized.
HIGHWAY FUND: Paul Johanik, Bob Anderson
$250,000 is proposed to be transferred from the General Fund for Highway projects in
2021. $849,950 in Fund balance is proposed to be applied in 2021.
The county is 12 years into the 20-year plan to reconstruct all county highways, which
will bring highway bases up to standard, reducing the cost for repairs after that point.
Committee reviewed a map and plan for highway projects in 2021.
3
Radios that are currently being used are near obsolete. The department would like to
transition to WISCOM along with the Sheriff’s office. Current system is an analog
system. WISCOM would be more robust, redundant system that would provide a much
safer, accessible radio system. Approximately 100 radios would be needed and would be
placed in each piece of equipment. Another option is being evaluated, which would be a
portable radio that could be moved from vehicle to vehicle.
Johanik and Anderson reviewed the equipment purchase plan for 2021. Anticipating at
least one retirement in 2021.
Capital Improvement Fund:
Abeles-Allison explained that these are one-time large expenditures. They are put into the
CIP fund so that they do not skew the normal operating budget for departments. Budget is
for $1.5 million dollars. There are two large forestry projects included, which have
offsetting revenues. A list of other proposed CIP projects and purchases was reviewed.
Airports are proposed to be funded at the 2020 level. Bayfield County Economic
Development is also proposed at the 2020 level.
Next meeting is Sept 23 at 3:00pm.
Meeting adjourned at 5:45pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kris Kavajecz.