HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 2/1/2024Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
4:00 PM, February 1, 2024
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, Kim Mattson-Finance Director, Gail Reha-
Bookkeeper, Andy Runice-Chief Deputy, Jason Holmes-Forester, Lindley Mattson-Recreation
Specialist
Meeting called to order at 4:03pm by Chairman Rondeau
Public Comment: None Received
Approval of Minutes of December 7, 2023: Motion Milanowski, Pocernich to approve minutes
of the December 7, 2023 Personnel Committee meeting. Motion Carried (5-0).
Policy Discussion Items:
• Coroner/Medical Examiner update: We continue to research the Medical Examiner / Coroner
options. Our current Coroner term goes until 2027. An ordinance would be required to
implement a Medical Examiner position. A medical examiner is an appointed official while
Coroner is elected. Sawyer County recently made this move and reports it is going well.
Several documents were provided to committee members from Ozaukee and Sawyer
Counties who have moved to a Medical Examiner system.
• Personnel Policies Regarding Taxability and Uniforms and Food Reimbursements: Personnel
policies are directed in part by IRS policy. There are some nuances but often times payments
for food or clothing are taxable. In order for them to be taxable they need to be documented,
paid by an employee and then reimbursed to the employee. If taxable they are included on an
employees W-2, if not they are not taxable. This policy interfaces with county credit card
policies. One issue is that some departments use credit cards for daily meals. Daily meals
must be recorded as income and are taxable. Overnight meals, out of county can be
reimbursed via Accounts Payable (as opposed to payroll checks) and are not taxable. The
County also has per meal / per day reimbursement policy, if paid on credit card this is very
hard to enforce. Our current policy NO MEALS ON CREDIT CARDS.
Sheriff’s office expressed concern with the county meal policy not covering meals that could
occur during hours that are not included in the meal reimbursement policy (overnight).
Sheriff’s office staff each have a county credit card. Sheriff’s Office monitors expenses to
ensure that expenses do not exceed allowable limits. Staff would experience a hardship if
they were away for training for a lengthy time and not able to use credit card for meals.
Request is for the county to consider moving to a per diem system.
• Firearm Policy: Foresters often work individually in very remote areas of the county.
Current county policy and state law requires that weapons are prohibited in the courthouse,
except for law enforcement. Forestry staff have made a request to be allowed to carrying
firearms. This same topic could apply to other positions, when an employee feels safer with
a firearm, ie: in the woods, in a big city, long distance travel, etc. In researching this
statewide amongst counties there is a mix of response. No counties allow weapons in the
courthouse (except law enforcement) as provided by state law.
Forester, Jason Holmes suggested that the county consider adopting the current DNR policy
with regard to employees being allowed to carry concealed firearms.
Sheriff Williams stated that he is not opposed to a policy allowing concealed weapons. The
committee requested to review the DNR policy and hear from the insurance companies
regarding liability for allowing or disallowing use of concealed weapons.
Reports
• Personnel Financial Report as of December 31, 2023 and January 31, 2024: Personnel
Financial Reports for end of 2023 show the county at 97% of budgeted expenditures across
all funds. Expenditures are up $1.47 million over 2023, a 10% increase. End of January
2024 expenses are up $99k, or 9% over the previous year at this same time. All major funds
are within budget at 99%, 89% and 94% of budget respectively for the General, Human
Services and Highway Funds. The 2024 personnel expenses included a 2.5% cost of living
adjustment and a 17% in county health insurance (not Teamsters).
The 10% increase over 2023, is significant and a key component of the county’s effort to
remain competitive and retain and attract staff. This is a strength of the county right now, but
also something we need to be very cognizant of for future fundings
• Personnel Policy Review in 2024: Look deeper into demographics and opportunities to entice
older workers since that will be the largest demographic. The committee suggested that one
Department Head attend a County Board meeting each month to provide a report and
overview of operations.
• Human Resources Report, December 2023 and January 2024: Reports were provided and
included in the meeting packet.
• 2023 Statistics Report: A summary of 2023 personnel statistics was provided and reviewed.
• MLK Day Program Review: Brief overview of the training day was provided. Survey from
employees following the training day was very positive with only one negative response
being received.
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: Approve Closed Session Minutes of December 7, 2023.
Motion Carried ( 5-0) Entered closed session at 5:03 pm.
Motion Dougherty, Strand to return to open session. Motion Carried (5-0 ). Returned to open
session at 5:04pm.
Meeting adjourned at 5:04pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz