HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 12/7/2023Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
4:00 PM, December 7, 2023
Meeting was Held In Person in the County Board Room and virtually
Members Present: Marty Milanowski, Mary Dougherty, Dennis Pocernich, Brett Rondeau, Fred
Strand
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Sheriff Tony Williams, Luke Kleczka-Jail Administrator, Ruth Hulstrom-
Zoning Administrator, Kim Mattson-Finance Director, Brenda Bock-Jail Sgt, Misty Villaverde-
Jailer, Gwen Daoust-Jail Lt, Brandon Miller-Jail Sgt, Gail Reha-Bookkeeper, Deb Milanowski-
Sheriff’s Office Secretary, Larry Fickbohm, Missy Moravetz-Jail Secretary, Marie Giles-Jailer
Meeting called to order at 4:00pm by Chairman Rondeau
Public Comment: Capt Kleczka, Jail Administrator explained he is available to answer any
questions related to 2023 Wisconsin Act 4. Kleczka provided reasons why wages should be
increased to offset the additional expense of Protective WRS status:
1) Increased wages would retain jailers.
2) Jailers were protective status prior to Act 10.
3) Decision is irrevocable. Young people that need the income now cannot choose to
become protective when their income is higher.
Approval of Minutes of November 2, 2023: Motion Milanowski, Strand to approve minutes of
the November 2, 2023 Personnel Committee meeting. Motion Carried (5-0).
Act 4 for Jailers: Due to 2023 Wisconsin Act 4, county correctional officers (jailers) who are
categorized as general employees will become protective occupation employees as of January 1,
2024, under the Wisconsin Retirement System, unless they opt out. County jailers who become
protective occupation employees, will pay all increased costs of being a protective occupation
employee, which will decrease their take-home pay. Act 4 was passed to allow all county jailers,
both current and new hires, the opportunity to be classified as a protective occupation employee
under the WRS, regardless of whether their employer classifies the jailer as a general employee.
Sheriff Williams explained that State Correctional Officers and Probation Agents are protective
status. He also pointed out that the committee could consider a partial wage increase to offset the
WRS cost rather than offsetting the full cost.
Lt Gwen Daoust, reported that boarding fees are significantly above budget and would cover the
additional wage cost for 2023.
No action was taken on this item.
Uniform Pay and Boot Policy: Proposed revisions to the current Uniform Policy were
reviewed.
The proposed policy will be modified to read: “The Sheriff shall budget funds for cooks and
jailers for uniform allowance, administered by the Sheriff’s Office. Employees must submit
receipts for purchases. Jailer uniforms remain the property of Bayfield County.”
Ruth Hulstrom, Zoning Administrator expressed concern that the amount proposed for the boot
allowance is insufficient and requested a $200 allowance.
Motion Milanowski, Dougherty to approve the Uniform Policy as presented with the amended
Sheriff budget/Jail uniform language. Motion Carried (5-0).
Environmental Health Program and Creating New Sanitarian Positions: Due to the
challenges with recruiting a Registered Sanitarian, the department is proposing to create a
position that would work under the direction of an existing sanitarian. The position would
require that the non-registered employee meet the qualifications and become Registered within
2-4 years of employment. The position would be placed at one Grade Level below the registered
sanitarian level. In addition, a Supervisory Sanitarian position would be created to oversee the
non-registered employee and the current REHS/RS would be placed in that position. The
Supervisory position would be placed at one grade higher than the REHS/RS position. There
would be no increase in staff.
1. Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian-In Training
(REHS/RS-In Training)
2. Lead Sanitarian (REHS/RS)
Motion Strand, Pocernich to approve the creation of the two positions as proposed. Motion
Carried (5-0)
County Food Policy: The current policy reads:
16.1.3 Coffee, Rolls, and/or Meals for Meetings: It is the current policy of Bayfield County that
coffee, rolls, and/or meals, for staff or Committee/Board meetings should be purchased with
attendee contributions. This includes recognizing birthdays or other events. Minimal county
funds may be used in certain circumstances (retirements and employee recognition) when pre-
approved by the department head and when budgeted. In general, public funds are not to be used
for this purpose.
The committee discussed that there is no need for a modification to the policy.
Holiday Policy for Cooks: Proposed policy language was reviewed.
“Full-Time Cooks, Jailers and CCOs shall be credited forty-four (44) hours of holiday
compensatory time on January 1st and forty-four (44) hours on July 1st. Holiday compensatory
time will be deducted or paid back by the employee if they are in unpaid status on a legal
holiday, or leave employment prior to the legal holiday.”
This alleviates issues with scheduling, paying additional unbudgeted hours and allows the
employee to schedule the holiday when most convenient for them.
Motion Dougherty, Milanowski to include FT Cooks in the holiday allocation policy as
presented. Motion Carried (5-0)
Reclassification Process: The draft policy included in the meeting packet was reviewed and
discussed. The purpose of the policy is to streamline the reclassification and new position request
timeline.
Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to approve the reclassification process as presented. Motion
Carried (5-0)
Reports
a. Personnel Financial Report as of November 30, 2023: up $1.2 million from 2022
at the end of November.
b. Human Resources Report: Included in the packet.
c. Wellness Benefit, 2025: The State will be implementing a new on-line benefits
enrollment system in 2024 for 2025 benefits. The new online ETF system will not be
able to show the current wellness incentive used by Bayfield County. We will
maintain the existing system, acknowledging that the state enrollment will reflect a
17% employee contribution, but the county will return 5% of this to employees who
participate in the county wellness program.
d. Coroner v Medical Examiner: At the November Executive Committee meeting, the
committee heard a request from the Coroner to consider changing the position to an
appointed Medical Examiner position instead of an elected Coroner position. The
attached document outlines some of the items that will need to be considered before
making a recommendation on this topic. One of the primary considerations is that the
Medical Examiner and Medical Examiner Assistants must be salaried positions in lieu
of all other compensation, including Per Diems. The current system has the Coroner
paid on a salaried plus Per Diem basis and Deputy Coroner’s paid strictly on a Per
Diem basis. The number of calls fluctuate greatly between Deputies. There is more
research needed on this topic. A decision will need to be made prior to the next
Coroner election cycle.
Motion Milanowski, Strand 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: Approve Closed Session Minutes of November 2, 2023 and negotiate
Side Letter with WPPA Local 216 Related to Article XXIV, Section B Work Schedules. Motion
Carried ( 5-0) Entered closed session at 5:09 pm. Sheriff Williams was allowed to remain in the
closed session.
Motion Strand, Dougherty to return to open session. Motion Carried (5-0 ). Returned to open
session at 5:15 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 5:15 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz