HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 6/12/20251
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, June 12, 2025
Meeting was held Remotely through Microsoft Teams and in person in the Bayfield County
Board Room, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Dennis Pocernich, Mary Dougherty, Fred Strand, Marty Milanowski, Jan
Lee, Madelaine Rekemeyer (virtual)
Excused:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kelly Westlund-Deputy County
Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human Resources Director, Kim Mattson-Finance Director,
Sue Rosa (virtual), Charly Ray (virtual), Judge John Anderson, Coroner Tom Renz, Paul Houck-
IT Director
Called to order at 4:00p.m. by Chairperson Dougherty
Motion Milanowski, Lee to approve minutes of the May 8, 2025 Executive Committee
meeting. Motion Carried (6-0).
Public Comment: Bryan Ziemann, EMS Coordinator introduced himself.
Katherine Elchert, New Director, Northern Waters Library Service, Introduction:
Katherine introduced herself and provided a brief overview of the Northern Waters
Library Service. She reported there were over 3 million circulations in the service area
last year. Largest geographic system in the state, but smallest population-wise. Northern
Waters covers eight counties and 29 public libraries in NW Wisconsin serving 150,000
area residents. There are six public libraries serving Bayfield County in the Northern
Waters Library Service system.
Resolution Regarding the Establishment of a Medical Examiner in Lieu of Elected
Coroner Position: Abeles-Allison explained that this topic was brought up in 2024. Tom
Renz, current Coroner, explained that a Medical Examiner position is appointed rather
than elected. A map of Wisconsin was reviewed that shows which counties are Coroner
and which are Medical Examiner. Current per diems are $100 per scene call and $50 to
sign creation form. Mileage is also applicable. Coroner receives an annual salary in
addition to per diems. Deputies do not receive a salary. Two main reasons for proposal to
move to Medical Examiner is that Board would have authority to appoint a qualified
person and individuals would not have to obtain signatures and run for election. Medical
Examiner and Assistants would be employees. Budget for Coroner office is currently
about $41,000 per year.
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Motion Strand, Milanowski to forward the resolution to establish the position of Medical
Examiner and eliminate the elected Coroner position to the county board with
recommendation for approval. Motion Carried (6-0)
Cremation Fees: Renz recommends increasing cremation fees to $125 and death
certificate fees to $50.
Motion Milanowski, Rekemeyer to forward a recommendation to the County Board to
approve increasing cremation fees to $125 and Death Certificate Fees to $50. Motion
Carried (6-0)
Executive Committee Department Preliminary Budget Topics:
County Clerk, Clerk of Court, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Coroner, IT, Land Records,
County Board, County Administration, Maintenance departments have the Executive
Committee as their committee of record.
Clerk of Court: Judge Anderson reported that the sound in the lobby area of the Clerk of
Court Office is a concern. Accoustic panels have been identified to resolve the issue.
Blind replacement are needed in the Judge and District Attorney Offices and will be
requested in 2026. Request will also be made for office furniture replacement for the
Judicial Assistant and Judge. Initial estimate is $50,000.
Coroner: No significant changes to the Coroner budget anticipated. Would like additional
storage for supplies.
Information Technology: Paul Houck reviewed a list of anticipated technology requests
that will be included in the 2026 budget request.
Horse Boarding Fees: The committee reviewed a summary of boarding, veterinary, feed
and other costs paid for the horses. All of the horses have been relocated to one spot in
Sawyer County. The foster families are requesting to be paid for increased fees
retroactive to January 1, 2025 until the horses were relocated in June. Consensus of the
committee is to pay the original fees that were agreed when the horses were initially
placed with the foster familites. Suggestion was also made to send Thank You’s to all
boarders for their assistance.
County Fund Balance Allocations: Abeles-Allison suggested modifications for
assigned balances in 2025, taking into account modified highway funding and adding
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housing, workforce development, ERP software and Child Care Funding over a period of
years taking the county to the 25% unassigned balance level as recommended by
auditors.
• Highway Project Funding: $2.5 million
• Compensated Balances: $.75 million
• Courthouse Building/Roof Repairs: $1.0 million
• Courthouse Boiler Replacement $1.0 million
• Housing ($400k over 5 years) $2.0 million
• ERP Software Upgrade $.7 million
• Workforce Development ($200k x 5) $1.0 million
• Childcare Assistance: ($60k x 10 yrs) $.6 million
Suggestion was made to include an item designating funds for programming that is
impacted by reduction of federal funding.
Sheriff’s Office Capital Improvement Budget Amendment Resolution:
Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to forward the Sheriff’s office Safety Equipment Budget
Amendment to the full county board for approval. Discussion: Questioned the need for
the “Shield”. Would like more information from the Sheriff’s office, including statistics,
on how often something of this nature has been used or needed.
Motion Carried (6-0)
Establishing Ad Hoc Meeting Regarding ATVs: Supervisor Rosa explained what she
would hope to come out of an Ad Hoc Group convened to discuss the use of
ATV’s/UTV’s on county roads. She stated she believes there are 3 distinct groups
(Motorized enthusiasts, silent sport enthusiasts, those relocated here to enjoy quiet).
Discussion was held on what the best mechanism for conversation would be. Comment
was shared that an Ad Hoc Committee needs to have a clear purpose, stated goal and
timeline for sunset. Consensus of the committee was not to pursue an Ad Hoc Committee
for this topic unless more specifics could be identified supporting the need.
Pigeon Lake Field Station and possible Request for Proposals: The Pigeon Lake Field
Station is owned by the State of Wisconsin. It is a unique public property on Pigeon
Lake including about 90 acres of woodland, forest and facilities, surrounded by National
Forest property. The site has cabins, classrooms, a kitchen and eating area, in addition to
many other outbuildings. The property has been vacant for over a decade and was last
used by the University of Wisconsin River Falls. The county has had discussions
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regarding future use of the site for many years. Recently, interest, consistent with some
county goals (see below) have been expressed. Proposal was made to proceed with a
Request for Proposals for the site with the option of reserving certain portions of the
undeveloped property for the county for:
• Lake and beach access
• Occasional scheduled use of facilities
• Forest Management
• Possible gravel harvesting
We are in contact with the Wisconsin Commissioner for Public Lands that controls this
site to confirm this is acceptable. We are also seeking an appraisal for the property.
Motion Milanowski, Strand to authorize the county administrator to distribute a Request
for Proposals related to the Pigeon Lake Field Station site as discussed. Motion Carried
(6-0)
Resolution Supporting the Great Lakes Visitor Center Mission and Importance to
Bayfield County Tourism, Culture and History.
Motion Rekemeyer, Lee to forward the resolution stating the Great Lakes Visitor Center
Mission and Importance to Bayfield County Tourism, Culture and History to the full
county board for approval. Motion Carried. (6-0) Strand stated that he would like to see
the center reopened for public meeting/event use.
Animal Control Ordinance: This item postponed to the next meeting.
Reports:
• Financial Reports end of May 2025: The Treasurer report for May shows balances
have dropped about $600k, decreases this time of year are common.
• Treasurer’s Report, end of May 2025: (42% through the year) shows:
o General Fund: Rev/Exp: 52%/35% ytd
o Human Services: 38%/34% ytd
o Highway: 59%/26% ytd
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• Bayfield County Kitchens: Bayfield Kitchens started supplying senior meals to
southern Bayfield County AND Ashland County (temporarily) this week.
• CHA Update: The Chequamegon Humane Association continues to plan for more
space.
• Northern Lights Bonding: Northern Lights bonding is scheduled to be paid off
(County funds) end of 2027. Current payment is $450k per year. The Modified
payment schedule by Northern Lights has their pay-off later, in 2041 as they
reduced their payments and made no payments over a period of time. At present
NL is paying $20k per month.
• Child Care: During the course of the Executive Committee meeting, the Washburn
School Board met and approved an expansion to their existing child care program,
which will prioritize Bayfield County employee’s children.
• Free entry for the Bayfield County Fair with 3 exhibits entered.
• County Board Chair designated today as Larry MacDonald Day in recognition of
his service. Supervisor Sandstrom presented MacDonald with the recognition
earlier in the day.
Motion Milanowski, Lee to enter Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1) (g) Conferring with
legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning
strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to
become involved.
a. Legal Update
b. Corporation Counsel
Motion Carried. (6-0) Entered closed session at 6:30 pm.
Motion Milanowski, Lee to return to open session. Motion Carried (6-0)
Meeting adjourned at 6:38pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz