HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/14/20201
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, Marty Milanowski,
Members Excused: Larry Fickbohm
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Charly Ray, Jeremy Oswald, Jim Crandall, Jason Bodine, Paul Houck, Bob
Anderson-Highway Patrol Superintendent, Steve Sandstrom, Kim Mattson
Meeting Called to Order at 4:00pm by Rondeau.
Public Comment: None Received
Approval of Minutes of September 14, 2020: Motion Pocernich, Strand to approve
minutes of the September 14, 2020 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried (5-0)
2021 Budget Discussion:
a. Bayfield County Forestry: Jason Bodine, Forest Administrator provided an
overview of the Forestry and Parks Budget proposal for 2021. Overall budget net
contribution of $1.726 million. Reducing expenses by about 6%. Timber sale
markets are resulting in a very conservative revenue estimate, 10% decrease from
2020. Timber sale revenues for 2020 will be slightly above budget, but will not
result in the revenue surplus that the county has observed in years past. Half of
sales are pulp products and half are lumber. The pulp markets are the ones that are
dropping. Bodine also reviewed the capital improvement project items included in
the budget. A large project included in the Delta Landfill repair. Fishing dock is a
carry-over from 2020. Delta Landfill is estimated to be reimbursed 87.5%.
Forestry is exploring a Carbon offsetting program, which could provide an
additional revenue stream.
b. Bayfield County Information Technology: Paul Houck, Information Technology
Director reviewed the proposed 2021 IT budget. Estimated $26,000 increase over
2020. One staff will be primary programmer for the 5-county NOVUS tax system.
Office365 expenses have increased significantly due to licensing needs. Devices
capable of working remotely have doubled. Multi-factor authentication is
recommended for implementation. Preference is to purchase laptops. Committee
suggested purchasing laptops instead of desktops that are budgeted in the 2021
2
budget. Host server replacement, jail camera/cabling project Phase II, Backup
hardware addition are the capital expenditures planned.
c. Highway Capital / Radios / Mason Garage: Bob Anderson, Highway Patrol
Superintendent reported that the budget include a request for 71 mobile radios, 4
base stations and 2 handhelds using the WISCom System at a cost of $242,000
(originally proposed at $300,000 for 100 radios). County share of CTH M project
for 2021 is just over $1 million, this is the county’s 50% share. Goal is to also add
the second section of CTH M, currently planned for 2022, in 2021 with STP
funding, if approved by the State. Abeles-Allison explained that a 2019 restated
audit was just received and reflects a $2.8 million fund balance in the Highway
Fund for the end of 2019. The 2021 budget does propose to use a portion of the
fund balance, approximately $850,000. The budget also includes bonding in the
amount of $1.75 million. Recommendation from the committee is to maintain the
same bonding level as 2020.
d. Interdepartmental 00 account in General Fund: Abeles-Allison reviewed
proposals for this Department. There are unspent bridge aid dollars from
previous years that will be used for 2021. Corp Counsel estimated to be slightly
less in 2021. Contingency includes $80,000, $78,000 for COLA increases.
Review of library funding allocations. Transfer to Highway reduced from
$500,000 to $250,000 for 2021. BCEDC funding allocation identical to 2020.
e. Personnel Review: Personnel Narrative was reviewed by Kris Kavajecz, Human
Resources Director
f. County Board: Ice Rescue contribution is included. A request from Madeline
Island was not included in the budget proposal. Fraud hotline, youth scholarships
are continuing to be funded. Consensus of the committee is that Madeline Island
rescue should be included for funding. Per Diems have increased.
g. Other Departments: Abeles-Allison noted that several items have been identified
since the proposed budget was distributed. Abeles-Allison reviewed the list of
budget changes that have been discussed. This list will be used to rework the
budget for presentation on Tuesday.
Next meeting is Tuesday before the County Board meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 5:06 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kris Kavajecz.