HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 7/6/2023Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
4:00 PM, July 6, 2023
Meeting was Held In Person in the County Board Room and virtually
Members Present: Marty Milanowski, Mary Dougherty, Dennis Pocernich
Excused: Brett Rondeau, Fred Strand
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Kim Mattson-Accountant, Gail Reha-Bookkeeper, Elizabeth Skulan-Human
Services Director, Kevin Johnson-Veteran Services Officer
Meeting called to order at 4:00pm by Vice-Chairman Dougherty
Public Comment: Skulan shared that she is not supportive of converting to a quarterly allocation
for sick leave. She indicated that this could be a hardship for some staff.
Minutes of June 1, 2023: Motion Milanowski, Pocernich to approve minutes of the June 1, 2023
Personnel Committee meeting. Motion Carried (3-0)
New Positions and Reclassification Requests for 2024:
Skulan reported on the 3 positions that are being proposed for the Human Services Department
in the 2024 budget. 2 new positions and one reclassification are proposed. The Human Services
Board supports these proposals.
1) Mental Health Professional: New position in the Behavioral Health and Community
Services Program Section. This position is primarily funded with non-county funds.
2) Children With Disabilities Program Supervisor: This would be a new position under
the Family Services section. It would provide case management and supervision of 3
programs that are currently managed by the Aging and Disability Services Manager.
The Aging & Disability Services section manager is unable to effectively oversee
these programs with the amount of programs and staff in the section. The position
would be under the supervision of the Family Services Section Manager, but would
supervise two program staff.
3) Elderly Nutrition Program Supervisor: reclassification of the current Aging Services
Coordinator position. This existing position would become a supervisory position
responsible for staff and program oversight for the elderly meals program including:
drivers, meal site managers and subs. The position would be under the supervision of
the Aging and Disability Services Section Manager.
Kevin Johnson, CVSO, reported that his current Veteran Benefits Specialist has tendered her
resignation. The position was increased from 50% to 75% in 2023. Johnson is proposing to
increase the position to 100% in 2024. He feels that the position needs to be full-time in order to
attract a qualified candidate and that the number of veterans served justify a full-time position.
Kim Mattson explained a request for additional staffing as a result of increased GASB standards
and the additional work involved with grant management. The proposal would be to move the
Accountant (reclassified to Finance Director) and Bookkeeper to the County Administrator’s
Office and to increase the current PT support staff position to Full-time to support the County
Administrator, Finance and Human Resources. Mattson reported that it is her goal to minimize
the need for reliance on the auditors and meet the separation of duties requirements that are
repeatedly identified in the audit. This would create a clerk vacancy in the County Clerk’s office,
which is proposed to be refilled as a full—time position to continue to support the County Clerk,
Elections and County Administrator offices.
Criminal Justice and District Attorney’s Office have proposed a new full-time Community
Supervision Case Manager position for the Criminal Justice office. The activity is being piloted
right now with existing staff.
Several Zoning related position options were discussed:
• The Health Department and Zoning Department are considering a shared position to
coordinate Short Term Rentals, which involve both departments.
• Proposal to convert the seasonal office support position to a permanent part-time year-round
support position.
• The committee discussed a full-time Building Inspector (UDC Inspector). Recommendation
is to hold off on this for now.
• Comprehensive Plan Implementation position was discussed. Recommendation is to hold off
on this for now.
• Establishing a Lead Assistant Zoning Administrator position to assist with administrative
duties. This would be a reclassification of an existing staff person.
Summer Energy Intern for the Maintenance Department with Excel Energy paying half of the
cost.
Increasing the .75FTE Fair Coordinator position to 1.0 FTE. This increase was approved by the
Personnel Committee earlier in 2023.
2024 Budget Planning Topics
a. WRS Contribution Levels for 2024 were reviewed. 6.9% General and 14.3%
Protective Status.
b. Employee Benefit Programs, Health, Dental, etc. 10% Health Insurance rate increase
is budgeted for 2024. Dental premium figures will be shared at the next meeting to
discuss the possibility of county contribution.
Policy Modifications:
Meal Reimbursements: Motion Milanowski, Pocernich to increase the meal reimbursement
rates to: Breakfast $12, Lunch $14, Dinner $20 for a Total of $46 per day effective January 1,
2024. Motion Carried (3-0)
Vacation Clarification: Motion Milanowski, Pocernich to approve the modification to section
3.1.6 of the vacation policy as presented. Motion Carried (3-0)
Sick Leave Allocation: Motion Milanowski, Pocernich to approve the modification to section
3.3.8 and 3.3.11 of the sick leave policy as presented. Motion Carried (3-0)
3.3.11 First Year Employees:
Reports
a. Personnel Financial Report as of June 30, 2023: The May report shows overall
payroll expenses county wide at 46%. End of June is 50% through the year. Net
increase over this time last year, $1.2 million.
i. General Fund: 47%, up $800k from last year
ii. Human Services: 43%, up $230k from last year
iii. Highway: 48%, up $75k from last year.
b. HR Report was included in the meeting packet and was reviewed.
c. Exit Interview Summary. A high-level summary review of Exit Interview comments
from Exit Interviews conducted over the past year was reviewed. Care was taken to
protect the confidentiality of participants.
Motion Milanowski, Pocernich to enter into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes
§19.85(1) (e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of
public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining
reasons require a closed session. Discussion and Possible action Regarding Approval of Closed
Session Minutes of June 1, 2023. Motion Carried (3-0) Entered closed session at 5:30pm
Motion Milanowski, Pocernich to return to open session. Motion Carried (3-0). Returned to open
session at 5:30pm.
Meeting adjourned at 5:30pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz