Finance Committee

09/28/2016 Approved Minutes (21 KB)

Members present:        Tommy Lee Bychinski, Mike Flint, Marty Krueger, Eric Peterson and Kristin White Eagle

Others present:             Brian Becker, Kerry Beghin, Susan Blodgett, Cindy Bodendein, Sharon Boesl, Stephanie Box, Dan Brattset, Staci Dankert, Joan Fordham, Renae Fry, Lynn Horkan, Tom Kriegl, Amy Merwin, Steve Muchow, Stephanie Neumann, Tony Tyczynski, Jennifer Vosen, Cathy Warwick, Phil Wedekind, Brian Zobel and media

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bychinski at 8:45 AM.  Certification of open meeting compliance was given.  Motion by Flint, second by White Eagle to adopt the agenda.  Motion carried. 

Public Comment:  None

Discussion and consideration of the 2017 County Budget.

Fry reviewed the process the budget has taken.  With the knowledge of limited levy dollars, department heads were encouraged to look hard at their budgets to see where adjustments could be made to minimize levy impact.  She noted all department heads took this to heart; however, requested levy dollars still exceed the levy capacity.  Fry commented she is confident that with possible use of fund balance and some other known adjustments the levy limits can be met.

Public Works – Highway:  Muchow reviewed the Highway projects.  The levy increase allows the County to maintain service at the same level as in the past.  Largest impact on levy is wages/benefits.  Fuel costs are expected to increase next year.  Bridge aids also are increased.  Beghin commented the bridge aids is without limitation for the levy limit calculation.  The budget includes three new employees due to the new state highway bypass miles; two staff will be funded through the state, the third funded by the County for the additional county highway miles turned over from the state.

Health & Human Services/Supportive Services Departments

Bodendein commented the group looks at ways to work together.  Priorities are quality of life, transportation and mental health and alcohol and other drug addiction (AODA).  She reviewed the various coalitions.  The issues of transportation were discussed.   

Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC):  Blodgett reviewed the funding sources of the ADRC.  She noted there are two major challenges for 2017.  The first is the increased need for home delivered meals (HDM).  She reviewed the program and limited funding opportunities.  Secondly, the increased need for services by elder benefits specialist staff.  Federal dollars will cover part of an additional elder benefits position.  Blodgett noted the Health Care Center (HCC) transition to providing the nutrition program meals has been favorable.  Surveyed results are good and HCC processes are working well.

Environmental Health:  Bodendein commented on the changes in the EH program and the levy request.  The consortia with Adams and Juneau Counties is dissolved and the DATCP program will be expanded in Sauk County.  She reviewed the reason for the consortia dissolution, the program requirements, services and fees.  She noted the new positions requested are necessary for this expansion and will be covered by program fees.  The levy request will cover the expansion of the health hazard program that cannot be funded through inspection fees. 

Health Care Center (HCC):  Vosen commented the Board of Trustees has determined the home care program to be unsustainable due to the impact of the increasing program levy, the limited number served, and the opportunity for service in the private sector.  The HCC will end the home care program.  The budget includes unemployment for the dissolution of this program.  Vosen shared that the nationwide nursing home census is decreasing 20%.  Traditional rehabilitative care is no longer coming to nursing homes.  She reviewed the occupancy rate and funding sources.  There is no private pay rate increase in the 2017 budget.  HCC is also looking at creative staffing models while still maintaining quality level of care.  An increase in the meal cost to the ADRC is included in the budget to help cover the additional costs concerning the HCC food preparation equipment.  With these changes there is still an increase to the HCC tax levy request.  Vosen discussed the Leading Choice credentialing process for Medicare advantage plans. 

Human Services (HS):  Brattset noted the adjustments HS has made to arrive at a decrease in levy request.  He commented this budget also brings with it risk in volatile lines and areas of high cost care.  He noted that his staff adopts the goal of keeping families together and in the community.  He reviewed departmental restructuring due to shifting trends in service delivery and management organization.  He noted challenges are being experienced in increased demand around younger and younger mental health issues, increased hard core addiction populations with alternative care needs for their families and increased adult protection/elder abuse needs as the aging population grows.  Brattset reviewed the reallocation of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council funding for services and the addition of the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) grant.  He commented the budget maintains funding for the homelessness project which focuses on families with children.  He reviewed minor increases in revenues.  He noted the budget request has an additional psychotherapist position for the Community Support Program (CSP) to reduce the waiting list.

Public Health:  Bodendein spoke about the Nurse Family Partnership program (NFP), staffing and funding.  She noted some staffing changes that have helped to meet needs across public health programs. 

WIC:  Bodendein reviewed the program and funding.  Department continues to work on activities to help with community health and nutrition.

Veterans Service:  Tyczynski noted the budget includes a reclassification request for the assistant county veteran’s service officer position and a contract with a consultant to expand social media outreach with veterans. 

Recess at 11:47 until 1:00 PM.

Resumed at 1:00 PM

UW-Baraboo/Sauk County:  Phil Wedekind, City of Baraboo representative, and Brian Zobel, regional director of facilities for University of Wisconsin Colleges, reviewed the budget request.  Wedekind noted the request includes roof replacements over the next three years.  He reviewed the partnership relationship between the City of Baraboo, Sauk County and UW.  The status of the master plan and projects was discussed.

Non-departmental accounts and general discussion.

County Board:  Krueger noted the budget includes the county board chair increase and expense estimates based on anticipated meeting attendance. 

CDBG-Economic Development / Revolving Loans, Emergency Assistance Program, Flood Recovery Small Business, Revolving Loan Fund-Housing:  Fry and Beghin reviewed the various CDBG funds.  No tax levy involved in the funds. Fry commented on the upcoming round table to promote the economic development loan opportunities.   

Debt service:  Beghin reviewed that the debt service fund currently includes only law enforcement center debt.  HCC debt is in the HCC enterprise fund.  She noted the budget takes into account the recent refunding.  The amount to be levied includes dollars to smooth the debt service levy over a number of years.  The committee discussed possible future projects.  Beghin noted there is a long standing commitment to only bond for major projects, not road construction. 

General non-departmental:  Beghin reviewed the general non-departmental line items.  She highlighted the sales tax revenue and its history.  Anything collected over budget is put into restricted general fund balance.  Beghin reviewed the order that sales tax revenue must be used:  1) debt service, 2) capital projects, 3) offset tax levy.  Maximizing county levy limits and the calculations for the levy limits were discussed.  The use and distribution of the ATC funds was discussed.  Beghin reviewed the budgeted vacancy factor and contingency fund and how they affect the budget. 

Outside agencies:  Beghin reviewed the outside agency request.  She noted Sauk County Development Corporation (SCDC) request of $75,000 was decreased by the Economic Development Committee to $50,000.  Krueger commented on the request and the SCDC reorganization.  The committee discussed what constitutes a proper outside agency request and the need to clearly define the criteria for funding outside agencies. 

Public Comment:  None

Motion by Flint, second by Peterson to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,  

Kristin White Eagle

Finance Committee Secretary