HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/18/20241
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:30pm, September 18, 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
Excused: Mary Dougherty
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Kim Mattson, Steve Sandstrom, Charly Ray, Jeff Olsen, Sheriff Tony
Williams, Sue Rosa
Called to order at 4:46p.m. by Vice-Chairperson Strand
Public Comment: None Received
Budget Changes Spreadsheet Review: Abeles-Allison reviewed a summary of changes
that were made to the proposed budget based on feedback throughout the budget
meetings.
Budget Discussion:
Suggestion from Pocernich to consider a larger contribution to existing EMS services to
allow them to employ full-time staff rather than the county taking on employees through
a county-wide EMS service. Lengthy discussion took place regarding funding of a
county-wide EMS service. Concerns included the addition of county staff and ongoing
requirement to exceed levy limits for this purpose.
Rekemeyer recommended including a Grant Writer position in the budget and suggested
that it will pay for itself through the grants obtained. Consensus of the committee was to
leave the Grant Writer position out of the budget for 2025 and rely on the Assistant
County Administrator and Energy Specialist for grant assistance.
Abeles-Allison reported that the auditors pointed out that the county is not currently
maintaining a sufficient amount of undesignated fund balance. This will be addressed at a
future meeting.
Motion Rekemeyer, Strand to forward the modified budget as discussed by the Executive
Committee to the full county board for consideration.
2
Discussion: Pocernich stated that the county board has not yet approved the county-wide
EMS initiative and it should not be included in the budget.
Motion Carried (4-1) Pocernich opposed.
Meeting adjourned at 5:50pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz