HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board of Supervisors - Minutes - 10/29/2024
Bayfield County Clerk
Lynn M. Divine, County Clerk
Jeran Delaine Deputy Clerk Jaime Cadotte Clerk II
Ph: 715.373.6100 ● Fx: 715.373.6153 ● Email: Lynn.Divine@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov ● 117 E. Fifth Street, PO Box 878, Washburn,
WI 54891
MINUTES
Monthly Meeting of the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
October 29, 2024
Meeting Held in the Bayfield County Board Room, Courthouse, Washburn, WI
Call to Order: The monthly meeting of the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors was called to
order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson, Dennis Pocernich. Roll Call was taken by County Clerk, Lynn
Divine, as follows: Steve Sandstrom - present; Mary Dougherty - present; Larry Fickbohm -
present; Charly Ray - present; Jan Lee - present; Jeff Olsen - Present; Dennis Pocernich - present;
Fred Strand - present; Jeff Holte - present; Marty Milanowski - present; Madelaine Rekemeyer -
present; Jim Crandall - present; Sue Rosa - present. Present -13, Absent -0. A quorum was present
to conduct business.
Others Present: County Administrator- Mark Abeles-Allison; County Clerk- Lynn M. Divine;
Finance Director-Kim Mattson; Sheanne Hedigar, Baker Tily; Jaime Moore, Emergency
Communications Center Director; Elizabeth Skulan, Human Services Director; Kevin Johnson,
Director of Veteran’s Services; Meagan Quaderer, Emergency Management Director; Kim
Lawton, Bayfield County District Attorney; Mary Motiff, Tourism and Recreation Director; Jan
Victorson, Bayfield/Ashland EMS council.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.
Public Hearing 2025 Bayfield County Budget: Pocernich explained that the County budget
process begins early in the year. In May the County Board decides on priorities. Two of the top
priorities at the May budget session were County Wide EMS and a 20-year plan for the County
Highway Department. The estimated total county budget is 49 million and the estimated levy is
14 million.
Public Input: None.
At 6:07 p.m. the Public Hearing was adjourned and the monthly meeting resumed.
Adoption of the 2024 Tax Levy: Strand indicated that the proposed 2025 levy is $14,924,297
which includes a levy of $1,063,800 for County-Wide EMS for $128,000 for dispatch, $180,000
for county contribution of $20,000 for each of the nine EMS agencies, $5,000 for social media,
$145,000 for a County EMS Coordinator, $605,800 for a County-Wide EMS solution, possibly
the county deputies becoming EMT’s, or the county hiring of paramedics. The county volunteer
EMS director supports the funding and hiring of a County EMS Coordinator to develop an EMS
plan for the county but does not support the deputies becoming EMT’s or the county’s hiring of
paramedics. Strand recommended reducing the levy by $605,800 and proposed levying $458,000
for a County-Wide EMS solution broken down as follow: $128,000 for dispatch, $180,000 for
the county’s contribution of $20,000 to each of the nine county Emergency Medical Services,
$5,000 for social media and $145,000 for a County EMS Coordinator. Strand made a motion to
approve the 2024 levywith a Countywide EMS levy of $458,00 and a total county levy
$14,318,497, seconded by Crandall. Roll Call vote: Dougherty-Yes; Ray-Yes; Olsen-Yes;
Holte-Yes; Rekemeyer-Yes; Rosa-Yes; Pocernich-Yes; Crandall-Yes; Milanowski-Yes; Strand-
Yes; Lee-Yes; Fickbohm-Yes; Sandstrom-Yes. Yes-13, No-0, Absent-0. Motion Carried
Adoption of the 2025 Budget: Strand indicated that the proposed 2025 levy is $14,924,297
which includes a levy of $1,063,800 for County-Wide EMS for $128,000 for dispatch, $180,000
for county contribution of $20,000 for each of the nine EMS agencies, $5,000 for social media,
$145,000 for a County EMS Coordinator, $605,800 for a County-Wide EMS solution, possibly
the county deputies becoming EMT’s, or the county hiring of paramedics. The county volunteer
EMS director supports the funding and hiring of a County EMS Coordinator to develop an EMS
plan for the county but does not support the deputies becoming EMT’s or the county’s hiring of
paramedics. Strand recommended reducing the budget by $605,800, reducing the County-Wide
EMS budget to $458,000. Strand made a motion to approve the 2025 County Budget with the
following changes: the County-Wide EMS budget be changed to $458,000 and the total county
budget be changed to $48,499,123, seconded by Fickbohm. Roll Call vote: Sandstrom-Yes;
Fickbohm-Yes; Strand-Yes; Rekemeyer-Yes; Pocernich-Yes; Dougherty-Yes; Lee-Yes; Ray-
Yes; Holte-Yes; Olsen-Yes; Milanowski-Yes; Crandall-Yes; Rosa-Yes. Yes-13, No-0. Motion
Carried.
Public Comment: Pocernich indicated that each individual would be allowed three minutes to
speak, allowing a total of 15 minutes for Public Comment. Speakers and their topics were as
follows:
Jan Victorson (Town of Hughes) Secretary to the Bayfield/Ashland EMS council and
chair of the EMS Ad Hoc Committee. Victorson thanked the County Board for the support
that the EMS agencies have been feeling from the County Board in the last several
months. She stated the EMS agencies have been struggling for a long time and for the first time they feel like they have partners in that struggle and that they truly appreciate the
County Board’s efforts in working with them.
Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-101 In Recognition of Veterans Day 2024:
Kevin Johnson, Veterans Service Officer, was present to introduce the resolution. Milanowski
made a motion to approve Bayfield County Resolution 2024-101 In Recognition of Veterans
Day 2024, seconded by Lee. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0.
Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-102 Retirement of Martin Skaj: Crandall made a
motion to approve Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-102 Retirement of Martin Skaj,
seconded by Milanowski. Motion carried, Yes-13, No-0; Absent-0.
Audit Report Presentation: Sheanne Hedigar, Principal for Baker Tily was present via Teams
to give the audit report presentation. She went over the different fund balances and Federal and
State awards.
Report on 911 Dispatch Status. Jaime Moore was present to give an update. PSAP grant was
approved. Will be live on ESINet (Emergency Services IP Network) on November 19. December
17th is the tentative consolidation date with Ashland County. EMD (Emergency Medical
Dispatch) software will be implemented as soon as consolidation occurs. EMD is used during a
medical/EMS related 911 call to better help the caller and the EMS responders. Moore conducted
stay interviews with his employees. A stay interview is similar to an exit interview but instead
asks the employees why they are here and what they like about their job and what can be
improved. It was very productive, and morale is good right now with employees.
Human Services Annual Report. Elizabeth Skulan was present to give the report. Continuing
to see increases in individuals reaching out to Aging and Disability Resource Center so that
individuals can stay in their own homes as they age. In senior nutrition programs there has been a
slow but steady increase in congregate meal sites and slow and steady decrease in home
delivered meals. In most areas the department was able to serve more people and more
households. The largest increases were in the children’s long-term services (children with
disabilities) and comprehensive community services (mental health and addiction) programs.
Significant increases in utilization of mental health services, substance use disorders and AODA
services, and emergency detentions. Food share participants increased but benefits decreased, the
number of people eligible for Medicaid decreased and there were increases in energy assistance.
Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-103 Human Services Budget Adjustments: Elizabeth
Skulan was present to go over the resolution and answer any questions that arose. Milanoskwi
made a motion to approve Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-103 Human Services Budget
Adjustments, seconded by Rosa. Motion carried. Yes-13, No-0; Absent-0
Tourism Annual Report. Mary Motiff was present to give the report. Two department goals are
to increase annual visitor spending in Bayfield County through publications (maps and visitor
guides), paid advertising, social media, public relations, and the website. The second is to
increase coordination and collaboration with area chambers and other tourism related
organizations by connecting with fellow tourism professionals regularly and to communicate
with businesses to see how they are doing and what their needs are by holding county-wide
meetings quarterly, volunteering at events and assisting businesses owners and tourism partners
with tourism related events.
Motiff also thanked everyone for another successful fair this year. It was a great success.
Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-104 Bayfield County 2024 Fair Recognition: Mary
Motiff was present to introduce the resolution. Milanowski made a motion to approve Bayfield
County Resolution No. 2024-104 Bayfield County 2024 Fair Recognition, seconded by Holte.
Motion carried. Yes-13, No-0; Absent-0
Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-105 Snowplow Awareness and Operator
Appreciation: Crandall made a motion to approve Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-105
Snowplow Awareness and Operator Appreciation, seconded by Milanowski. Motion carried.
Yes-13, No-0; Absent-0
Consent Agenda:
a) Minutes from August 27, September 18 and October 1, 2024
b) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-106 Recognizing Bayfield County Humane
Officer, Callae Hyde, Upon Retirement
c) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-107 To Authorize the Advance Ordering of
Snowplow Trucks for the Bayfield County Highway Department
d) Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2024-06 An Ordinance Amending
Title 11 Chapter 1 Adopting Criminal Statutes as County Ordinances
e) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-108 To Authorize the Lending of Funds to
the Bayfield County Housing Authority
f) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-109 EPA Indoor Radon Services Grant
g) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-110 Immunization COVID Supplement 4
Grant
h) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-111 Cooperative Law Enforcement
Services Between the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Red Cliff Tribe
i) Report 2024-07 of the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Committee; Petition
to Change District Boundaries of a parcel owned by Donald and Tischa Ludzack,
Town of Cable, from Residential-One to Residential-Four
j) Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2024-07 of the Bayfield County
Planning and Zoning Committee; Petition to Change District Boundaries of a
parcel owned by Donald and Tischa Ludzack, Town of Cable, from Residential-
One to Residential-Four
k) Report 2024-08 of the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Committee; Petition
to Change District Boundaries of a parcel owned by Yellow B LLC, and owner
Sandi Eberhard, agent, Town of Oulu, from Residential-Two to Forestry-One
l) Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2024-08 of the Bayfield County
Planning and Zoning Committee; Petition to Change District Boundaries of a
parcel owned by Yellow B LLC, and owner Sandi Eberhard, agent, Town of
Oulu, from Residential-Two to Forestry-One
Sandstrom made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Ray. Roll Call Vote:
Lee-Yes; Holte-Yes; Sandstrom-Yes; Pocernich-Yes; Dougherty-Yes; Rekemeyer-Yes; Ray-
Yes; Strand-Yes; Fickbohm-Yes; Olsen-Yes; Milanowski-Yes; Rosa-Yes; Crandall-Yes. Yes-13,
No-0, Absent-0. Motion Carried.
Confirmation of Appointment of Supervisor Jeff Holte to the Northwest Regional Planning
Commission Revolving Loan Fund and the Visions Northwest Board of Directors:
Fickbohm made a motion to approve the Appointment of Supervisor Jeff Holte to the Northwest
Regional Planning Commission Revolving Loan Fund and the Visions Northwest Board of
Directors, seconded by Ray. Motion carried. Yes-13, No-0; Absent-0
Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-112 Authorizing PSC Digital Connectivity Grant
Document Execution: Sandstrom made a motion to approve Bayfield County Resolution No.
2024-112 Authorizing PSC Digital Connectivity Grant, seconded by Milanowski. Motion
carried. Yes-13, No-0; Absent-0
Reports:
a) Future County Board Meeting Dates: a. November 12, 2024- Statutory Requirement
b. December Meeting (not planned at this time)
c. January 28, 2024
d. February 25, 2024
b) Bayfield County Economic Development (in board packet)
c) Department of Energy Grant (in board packet)
d) RAISE Grant Preparations (in board packet)
e) Sheriff’s Office Employee Recognition- Recognized two employees for exemplary
service.
Supervisor’s Reports:
Rosa stated that Forest Lodge Library in Cable recently received a 2-million-dollar grant.
Fickbohm stated that he, Jeff Olsen and Jake Benson, Highway Commissioner, attended the
regional highway committee meeting in Barron, WI. Deb Jackson of the DOT gave a presentation
on the increasing costs of roads and how revenues for these costs are not coming in. Governor
Evers is planning a campaign to raise the gas tax by approximately $0.08. Gas tax can provide
money from visitors from other states, not just Wisconsin. Olsen stated that at the meeting they also
presented electronic bidding for counties for services and equipment so that there is a standard
bidding process that doesn’t have to be mailed or hand delivered.
Teamsters Union Agreement: Ables -Allison stated that the personnel committee met and
recommended approval of the union agreement with a 3.3% cost of living adjustment. Strand made
a motion to approve the contract with the Teamsters Union, seconded by Lee. Motion carried. Yes-
13, No-0; Absent-0
Chequamegon Humane Association Agreement: Ables-Allison stated that this agreement isn’t
final yet but he is continuing to work with them. Bayfield County shared $5,000 for the temporary
facility where animals being picked up are currently going.
Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, Pocernich adjourned the meeting at
8:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Lynn M. Divine
Bayfield County Clerk
/lmd
Resolutions indicated as numbers 2024-101 through 2024-112 were erroneously numbered due to the fact
that Resolutions 2024-101 and 2024-102 already existed. The numbers of the October 29, 2024, meeting
have been renumbered to 2024-103 through 2024 114 to preserve the proper sequence of the resolutions.
Amendatory Ordinances indicated as numbers 2024-06, 2024-07 and 2024-08 were erroneously
numbered due to the fact that those numbers already existed. These ordinances have been renumbered to
2024-11, 2024 12 and 2024-14 to preserve the proper sequence of amendatory ordinances.
Copies of Bayfield County Resolutions may be obtained by contacting the Bayfield County
Clerk’s Office at (715) 373-6100. The Bayfield County Code of Ordinances can be found at
https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/752/County-Ordinances