HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/12/20241
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, September 12, 2024
Meeting was held Remotely through Microsoft Teams and in person in the Bayfield County
Board Room, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Dennis Pocernich, Jan Lee, Madelaine Rekemeyer, Fred Strand, Marty
Milanowski, Mary Dougherty
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Steve Sandstrom, Jeff Olsen, Kim Mattson, Gail Reha, Kim Lawton, Sheriff
Tony Williams, Charly Ray, Larry Fickbohm, Sue Rosa (remote), Jim Crandall (remote)
Called to order at 4:00p.m. by Chairperson Dougherty
Minutes of August 22, 2024: Motion Milanowski, Lee to approve minutes of the August 22, 2024
meeting. Motion Carried (6-0)
Public Comment: None received.
Budget 2025 Presentation and Discussion: Abeles-Allison reviewed the structure of the budget
book.
a. Overview: Mill rate proposed at 3.489, down from 3.496.
b. Taxes: Proposed is $14,898,497 total
i. Base Levy: $9,036,805 Levy proposed to increase by $1,774,992
ii. Borrowing: $3.17 million
c. Fund Balance utilization: Total proposed to be used is $4.6 million.
d. Major Departmental Overview
i. Human Services: No levy change proposed.
ii. Highway:
iii. Sheriff’s Office: Committee expressed support for additional deputy as well as an
additional rec officer.
iv. Capital Improvements: Discussion postponed until the next meeting.
Discussion regarding County-wide EMS service being included in the budget without a plan in
place.
Discussion regarding whether to utilize $500,000 of fund balance for Highway, or whether to
add the $500,000 to short-term borrowing instead of using fund balance.
Upcoming Budget Meeting Dates, Monday – Thursday, September 16-19
Northern Lights Capital Project Funding Policy: The purpose of the proposed policy is to
outline the county’s responsibility and what is the lessee responsibility.
2
Housing Intern Budget Amendment 2024: Proposing $2500 toward this program through the
end of the year.
Motion Sandstrom, Fickbohm to approve the budget amendment as presented. Motion Carried
(6-0)
Superior Days, 2025: Strand provided a report on the ongoing discussions related to
participation for 2025.
Meeting Stipend Policy: Abeles-Allison explained that clarification is needed on what
meetings/committees should be eligible for per diems. Suggestion was also made to modify or
eliminate the daily per diem cap for multiple meetings.
Permanently Removing Underground Storage Tanks at the Courthouse: Request was made
to provide cost for above ground tank and remote fueling options.
Reports:
• Special Board Meeting
• Financial Reports end of August 2024
• Treasurer’s Report, end of August 2024
• Animal Control Update: Kennel will be closing. Working on alternatives.
• County Board Per Diem Sheets: Turn them in monthly reminder.
• Housing RFP: Lot 2 RFP was released.
• Pigeon Lake: $35,000 was budgeted in 2024 for a study. Consensus of the committee is to
terminate the Pigeon Lake Study and utilize the funds somewhere else.
• WisDOT DBE Program: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. More information to
be provided at a future meeting. Minority and women owned businesses.
Pocernich suggested considering ending the funding for BCEDC. This topic to be discussed at
the next meeting.
Committee did not enter closed session.
Meeting adjourned at 5:57pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz