HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 1/9/2024Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
PM, January 9, 2025
Meeting was Held In Person in the County Board Room and Virtually
Members Present: Marty Milanowski, Mary Dougherty, Dennis Pocernich, Fred Strand
Excused: Madelaine Rekemeyer
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Larry Fickbohm, Sue Rosa, District Attorney Kim Lawton, Sheriff Tony
Williams, Human Services Director Elizabeth Skulan
Meeting called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman Pocernich.
Public Comment: None Received
Approval of December 12, 2024 Meeting Minutes: Motion Strand, Milanowski to approve
minutes of the December 12, 2024 Personnel Committee meeting. Motion Carried (4-0)
Presentation by the Bayfield County District Attorney Regarding Importance of Sheriff’s
and Human Services Offices: Lawton stated that she went to the County Administrator in
December stating that the Department of Human Services was burning to the ground. Stated to
the Human Services Board that if the public knew what was going on, they would be horrified.
Seeing some of the same exact symptoms in the Sheriff’s Office. Have lost 2/3 of the
investigators. Deputy told her that in December the County was not interested in talking about
wages with the Deputies. Currently have 5 open positions. Deputies are frustrated, disillusioned
and feel unappreciated. Board needs to take action.
County keeps using the excuse that this is a statewide problem. We have to do better.
Motion Dougherty to allow Judge Anderson, Sheriff Williams and Elizabeth Skulan to add their
comments. Motion Carried (4-0)
Judge Anderson: we are at rock bottom mode in Family Services.
Elizabeth Skulan: Child Protective Services is not DHS, it is a section of DHS.
Sheriff Wiliams: One patrol staff down now, to be filled January 27th. Internally filling the 2
Investigator positions. Two new positions were authorized in the 2025 budget. Sheriff asked the
committee to consider wage adjustments for all Sheriff’s office staff, which could include
reopening the union contract.
Job Description, Countywide Emergency Medical System Coordinator: Review of the draft
job description which has been reviewed by Emergency Management, EMS Directors and
Human Resources. Consensus of the committee is to move forward with advertising the
position.
Reports
a. Personnel Financial Report as of December 31, 2024
b. Human Resources Report, December 2024
Motion Milanowski, Dougherty to move into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes
§19.85(1) (c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation
data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises
responsibility and (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. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding:
i. Employee Evaluation Report:
ii. WPPA Negotiations:
Motion Carried (4-0 ) Entered Closed session at 6:50pm.
Motion Milanowski, Strand to return to open session. Motion Carried (4-0 ) Returned to open
session at 7:15pm.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz