Finance Committee

finance_committee_minutes_10-09-17.pdf (13 KB)

FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES

County Board Room, West Square Building, Baraboo                                                     Monday, October 9, 2017

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

Excused:                       Kristin White Eagle

Others present:             Kerry Beghin, Alene Bolin, Ian Crammond, Lynn Horkan, Tom Kriegl, Jessica Machovec, Richard Meister, Steve Pate, Jeff Spencer, Jessica Steinhorst, Matt Stieve, Bobbie Wagner, Ed White, media

The meeting was called to order by Bychinski at 3:34 PM.  Certification of open meeting compliance was given.  Motion by Krueger, second by Flint to adopt the agenda.  Motion carried.

Public Comment:   None

Communications:   None

Discussion and consideration of the 2018 County budget.

Ed White from Sauk County Development Corporation (SCDC) outlined the purpose of the comprehensive housing study.  Hope to stimulate housing across the spectrum including redevelopment, and attract developers and builders to meet the needs of the County.   Motion by Krueger, second by Flint to fund 50% of study cost not to exceed $25,000, and keep the Economic Development Committee updated and part of the process.  Motion carried.

Bobbie Wagner from the Mid-Continent Railway Museum described the signed contract for the bridge project.  Expect to start in November and work through winter.  The Wagner Foundation has committed $600,000, but need $77,000 for the remainder of project.  Will open the railway to the main line and provide the turnaround for the engine.  The budget includes the $77,000 funded by general fund balance.

Stieve reviewed the status of the building project and sources of funding.  Bids expected to go out the first of the year, currently have a preliminary design.  Stieve commented on the costs such as utilities, well and septic, other building options, and current tear down.  Stieve commented on high performance components and security. 

Bolin commented that no legal authority has been found to fund the Sauk County Tavern League outside agency request.  Funding could be extended if a crime prevention board was formed, this avenue could be explored.  Motion by Flint, second by Peterson to remove the $10,000 from the budget.  Motion carried. 

Crammond described projects that could use $225,000 funding which had previously been removed from the Building Services budget, funded by general fund balance.

Flint commented on safety of the community/citizens and asked the sheriff to review the costs of a sergeant.  Meister commented the request for additional sergeants were pulled out of the budget due to the known levy limits and other known cost increases.  The shifts not covered by a supervisor and inmate housing revenues were discussed.  The options for use of carryforward  to purchase of a squad car and equipment.  Motion by Krueger, second by Flint to add a sergeant position beginning July 1, 2018, increase inmate housing revenues by half that cost, and fund equipment for additional staff through carryforward from 2017.  Motion carried.

Beghin reviewed the sales tax revenue and currently budgeted increase.  This level of increase will most likely not be available for the next budget cycle.  Treasurer interest revenues were discussed.  Outside agencies were discussed.  Discussed the MIS outlay phone system.  The HCC needs assessment and using general fund balance was discussed.

Motion by Flint, second by Peterson to remove $90,332 from Public Health for the Nurse Family Partnership nurse.  The services, benefits and possible savings were discussed.  Motion by Krueger, second by Flint to postpone until tomorrow.  Motion carried.

Public Comment:  None

Next regular Finance Committee meeting will be Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 8:00 AM.  Motion by Krueger, second by Flint to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,  

Tommy Bychinski

Finance Committee Chairperson