HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 10/10/20241
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, October 10, 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
Excused:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Kim Mattson, Charly Ray
Called to order at 4:00p.m. by Chairperson Dougherty
Motion Milanowski, Lee to approve minutes of Sept 12, 16, 17 and 18. Motion Carried
(6-0)
Ordinance Updates to Include Criminal Code: Motion Rekemeyer, Milanowski to approve the
ordinance update and recommend to full county board for approval. Motion Carried (6-0)
Pass Through Thrive Rural Housing Planning Grant, Town of Bell, Bayfield County
Housing Authority: Motion Pocernich, Lee to authorize the lending of monies to the Bayfield
County Housing Authority, not to exceed $50,000 between 2024 and 2025 and amends the county budget
to allow for payment of this expense with 100% reimbursement. Recommend to the full county board
for approval. Motion Carried (6-0).
Resolution to Authorize the Advance Ordering of Snow Plow Trucks for the Bayfield
County Highway Department and Budget Amendment:
Motion Strand, Milanowski to approves the advance ordering of snow plows in 2024 for the 2025 and
2026 county snow plow replacement schedule and associated budget amendment and forward to the
full county board for approval. Motion Carried (6-0)
Fund Balance Designations: Summary of current and proposed fund balance designations was
reviewed. Mattson reported that the county has not been meeting the recommended level for
unassigned fund balances as recommended by the county’s policy, which is 25% of budget.
Currently about $5million dollars should be unassigned/unrestricted to align with county policy.
Abeles-Allison reported that the committee has made a recommendation through the budgeting
process to bond for highway projects rather than utilizing designated fund balances. This will
unassign $2.5 million. Mattson also reported that auditors are identifying anticipated carbon
credits as an asset in the amount of approximately $7million.
Motion Pocernich, Rekemeyer to forward fund balance designation recommendations as
presented to the full county board for approval. Motion Carried (6-0)
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Meeting Stipend Policy: History of per diem rates was reviewed. Compensation must be set
prior to terms of office. Any changes made now, would not take effect until the 2026 County
Board terms. Discussion took place regarding clarifying what meetings, trainings, etc are eligible
for per diems and if prior approval should be received. County policy currently allows $75 per
committee meeting, $100 for county board, for multiple meetings in a day, or when meetings
exceed 4 hours in a day. Consensus of the committee is that if a county board member attends a
committee meeting where they are not a member, they are eligible for per diem. They are also
eligible if they attend a non-committee meeting or training that benefits county operations.
Suggestion from Pocernich that supervisors provide a report when they attend non-county
committee meetings. Suggestions for future per diem changes include: Per diem for every
meeting or training attended with no daily cap and increased per diem of $100 when chairing a
meeting.
Abeles-Allison stated that the 2025 budget will need to be modified to reflect an increase in per
diem costs.
2025 Budget: Milanowski stated that he supports the Land Conservation Assistant to move to 40
hours per week in 2025. No additional levy would be required for this cost. An expense would be
decreased to offset the increased payroll cost. Consensus of the committee is to reflect this
modification in the 2025 budget.
Pocernich stated his concerns with the funding for county-wide EMS being included in the
budget. Lengthy discussion was held on this topic.
Northern Lights Facility Maintenance Agreement: Introduction of a discussion about what
county funds may be used for. Further discussion to take place at a future meeting.
Reports:
a) County Facility Equipment Schedules: Postponed
b) County Wide EMS Updates: EMS Study Committee Listening Session to be held Oct
11th at 6:00pm.
c) Financial Reports end of September 2024: Provided in the meeting packet
d) Treasurer’s Report, end of September 2024: Provided in the meeting packet.
Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to move into Closed Session pursuant to §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: June 13, 2024 Closed Session Minutes and Animal Care Agreement with
Chequamegon Humane Association. Motion Carried (6-0) 5:16pm
Motion Milanowski, Lee to approve closed session minutes of June 13, 2024. Motion Carried (6-
0)
Motion Milanowski, Pocernich to leave closed session. Motion Carried (6-0)
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Meeting adjourned at 5:24 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz