HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/22/20221
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, September 22, 2022
Meeting was held Remotely through Microsoft Teams and in person in the
Bayfield County Board Room, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Jeff Silbert, Fred Strand, Brett Rondeau, Jeremy Oswald, Mary Dougherty,
Dennis Pocernich
Members Excused:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Marty Milanowski, Kim Mattson-Accountant (remote), Meagan Quaderer -
Emergency Management Director (remote), Bob Anderson-Highway Commissioner, Madelaine
Rekemeyer (remote), Jeremy Oswald (remote), John Rautio, Elizabeth Skulan-Human Services
Director, Cole Rabska-BCEDC Director, Sheriff Paul Susienka, Lynn Divine-County Clerk
(remote), Charly Ray (4:15)
Called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chairman Rondeau.
Approval of Minutes of July 28, 2022: Motion Strand, Silbert to approve minutes of the July
28, 2022 Executive Committee meeting. Motion carried (6-0),
Public Comment: None Received
2023 Proposed Budget
a.Introduction and Overview of Process: Abeles-Allison provided an overview of
the budget book. The large yellow sheets summarize the entire budget
(department request and Administrator recommended). Proposed county-wide
mill rate of 3.788. Equalized value increased to $3.3 billion, an increase of 13%.
Proposed levy is $12,534,773, an increase of $1.05 million. The 100 Fund is the
General Fund, which houses all of the county departments with the exception of
Highway and Human Services. The budget includes approximately $4.5 million of
fund balances. ARPA revenues and expenses have been set up in their own
separate fund.
b.Sheriff Office Budget Review: Sheriff Susienka reported that there are no new
requests for staffing. There are active discussions about possible consolidation of
dispatch services with Ashland County. The committee discussed the capital
improvement requests included in the budget.
c.Human Services Budget Review: Elizabeth Skulan explained that total
expenditures are proposed to increase 12%, approximately $658,000, however,
there will be no increase in levy. CCS and Childrens Long Term Care programs
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are mandated with no allowable waiting lists. Two paid internships are included
for 2023 as a tool for possible recruitment.
d.Highway Budget Review: The budget includes a 21% increase due to
skyrocketing costs and the inclusion of bridge aid. The levy for highway reflects a
26.8% increase. The budget continues to focus on reconstruction of
approximately 8 miles of road per year. Capital equipment requests are estimated
at $900,000. A list of proposed equipment purchases/replacements was reviewed.
Construction in 2023 is proposed to be focused on CTH N and CTH A. $865,000
of highway fund balance is proposed to be used along with $1.45million of county
fund balance. Total budget for the Highway Department is proposed at
$10,262,016. Strand reported that there will be a Project Tour on Oct 14 for those
that would like to participate, which will include the Delta Landfill project.
e.Capital Improvements: The list of projects included for 2023 was reviewed.
Comment was shared that the board room sound system should also be considered.
Additional Budget Meeting Schedule: (meetings to be both virtual and in-person).
4:00pm Tuesday, September 27 (before board meeting at 6)
4:00pm Thursday, September 29 (after personnel meeting/negotiations, 2-4pm)
4:00pm, Monday October 3.
2pm, Thursday, October 6 (before Personnel at 4pm) if needed
Gift Card Policy: Typographical correction was identified. Discussion on whether a
limit should be included for individual card amounts that could be authorized.
Motion Pocernich, Dougherty to approve the Gift Card Policy. Motion Carried (6-0)
Coroner Fees Adjustments In 2023: This fee is for the services provided by the
coroner staff prior to a cremation taking place. Motion Strand, Silbert to approve the
increase as proposed. Motion Carried (6-0)
Fund Balance Commitments to the Bayfield County Board: Postponed until the next
meeting.
Reports:
f.Financial Report, end of August 2022: Highway expenditures are up $3million
over this time last year due to late bills being received for 2022.
g.Treasurer’s Report, end of August 2022: Highest balances ever.
h.Joint Dispatch Update: Bayfield and Ashland Counties both agreed to facilitate a
feasibility study for Joint Dispatch. The study will begin next week. There is a
potential grant that is due October 24 that the consultant will assist with.
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ARPA projects are beginning, including the Northern Lights project. Abeles-
Allison reported that the Renovation project moving the Clerk of Court, Register
of Deeds, Child Support offices will begin next week.
Countywide EMS: Handout was provided that outlined the proposal for a county-wide
EMS program. Meagan Quaderer explained that the idea is not to take over EMS
services, but to assist the existing services and meet mass casualty planning requirements
and allow for additional grant funding opportunities.
Motion Pocernich, Silbert to direct the County Administrator and Emergency
Management Director to continue to investigate the possibility of County-Wide EMS.
Motion Carried (6-0)
Motion Pocernich, Dougherty to enter into Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1)(c,g), to
consider employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any
public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises
responsibility and to confer 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: Business Park Land
Purchase. Rabska was invited to remain in the closed session. Entered closed session at
6:35pm
Motion Pocernich, Strand to return to open session. Motion Carried. Returned to open session at
6:45pm
Meeting adjourned at 6:45p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz.