Finance Committee

10/05/11 Minutes (39 KB)

Members present: Steve Bach, Tommy Lee Bychinski, Joan Fordham, Jason Lane, and William F. Wenzel

Others present: Meg Allen, Judy Ashford, Kerry Beghin, Brent Bergstrom, Dan Brattset, Jessica Fry, Kevin Fults, Greg Hahn, Fred Halfen, Lynn Horkan, Tom Kriegl, Marty Krueger, Todd Liebman, Sheriff Meister, Brentt Michalek, Don Nobbs, Steve Pate, David Riek, Sandy Roamer, Kathy Schauf, Jeff Spencer, Jeff Tobin, Trish Vandre, Cathy Warwick, multiple other members of the public, and media

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bychinski at 4:30 PM. Certification of open meeting compliance was given. Motion by Lane to adopt the agenda, second by Fordham. Motion carried.

Motion by Bach to allow public to comment for up to three minutes, second by Wenzel. Motion carried.

Public comment, each speaker limited to three minute:
Allen, Halfen, Murray, Nobbs, and Murray spoke concerning the 2012 budget.

Discussion and consideration of the 2012 County Budget.
Schauf noted requested budget is below the legal limits. The Committee discussed key policy decisions and balancing ability of taxpayer to pay and service provision. Current established County budget priorities were reviewed concerning use of levy and participation in preventative services. Sustainability will become questionable when levy is held to zero in future years. A $200,919 reduction from requests is available due to health insurance increase budgeted at 10%, but was held to 6.04%. Department managers indicate they are at maximum capacity; budget adjustments will mean reducing services. Discussed county fund balance use, financial policy and its affect on county bond rating and interest rates. Bond rating would be severely affected if used for operational purposes and spent down. Committee discussed sales tax.

Committee discussed adjustments to Sheriff Department request. Staffing, crime trends, field supplies and revenues were reviewed. Meister considered current trends for housing inmates and conservatively estimated revenues at $109,425, compared to the zero currently in the request. Departmental study was discussed as an option for a broad outside perspective. Meister noted areas of change in service as compared to one year ago. Issues on horizon: heroin use comeback and other drug related crimes, budget does not allow for major events, staff time for crime investigations, effects on other departments such as Human Services, and the courts. Discussed the Sauk County Drug Task force and drug seizure funding.

Committee discussed the CPZ (Conservation Planning & Zoning) budget request. Discussed the joint Committees’ additional $100,000 and engineering services. Bergstrom and Michalek reviewed the past year engineering hours and projects. Michalek commented on the transitional nature of the next year or so as the department fits into its new structure.

Vandre spoke about ADRC departmental revenues and demand for services. Home delivered meal requests are outpacing the funding for in nutrition program. Demographic will continue to grow. Reviewed changes made in department to accommodate funding and balance of services.

Discussed Public Health computer system budget. Pate confirmed project could be allocated between 2012 and 2013 dependent on vendor and schedule coordination.
 

Committee discussed a budget target. Bach proposed a no dollar tax levy increase compared to 2011 based on current economic conditions. Discussed looking at long term solutions. Motion by Fordham to decrease health insurance expense $200,919; increase Sheriff revenues for housing inmates $109,425; remove funds added by CPZ oversight committees $100,000; decrease Public Health MIS expense for software $75,000 and levy remaining cost in 2013; and increase general sales tax revenue $216,320, second by Bach. Motion carried.

Discussion of process and procedure for 2012 budget amendments.
Distributed draft of 2012 Budget – Supervisory Amendments to the Budget memo and form. Process is currently used in Jefferson County. Does not preclude a supervisor from bringing an amendment to the November board meeting. Committee will review draft and be prepared to discuss and possibly act on at the next Finance Committee meeting. Motion by Wenzel to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 PM, second by Lane. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Fordham, Finance Committee Secretary