Finance Committee

09/11/12 Minutes (77 KB)

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

Others present: Kerry Beghin, Amanda Blomberg, Cindy Bodendein, Jim Daniels, Judge Evenson, Kevin Fults, Elizabeth Geoghegan, Lynn Horkan, Marty Krueger, Janell Lennon, Tom Kriegl, Kathy Schauf, Steve Schneider, Jim Schernecker, Tony Tyczynski, Cathy Warwick and William Waser

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bychinski at 8:30 AM. Certification of open meeting compliance was given. Motion by Lane, second by Wenzel to approve the agenda. Motion carried. Motion by Lane, second by Fordham to approve the minutes of August 14 and 21. Motion carried.

Public Comment:
Waser commented on the Sheriff Department MIS’s expenses and tax levy.

Communications:
None
Krueger commented on the timing of upcoming Finance Committee Budget review and encouraged later meetings to make times more available. Krueger noted the location and agenda of the fall intergovernmental meeting.

Presentation of Circuit Courts 2013 budget.
Judge Evenson reviewed the Circuit Courts 2013 budget. Budget remains consistent with prior years. Expenses other than labor are based on trends and best estimates. Beghin confirmed the labor benefits across all County departments will be adjusted when the numbers are better known.

Presentation of Veterans Service 2013 budget.
Tyczynski reviewed the Veterans 2013 budget. Budget remains consistent with prior years.

Discussion of possible 2012 budget overrun for Register in Probate.
Daniels commented on his 2012 anticipated budget overrun. He discussed the probate fees and revenue flows for the department. Anticipate a $23,050 overrun for 2012. Bychinski noted a written report from Register in Probate received by the Finance Committee.

Discussion of possible 2012 budget overrun for Home Care.
Bodendein and Warwick reviewed the Home Care program. They commented the program is currently over budget approximately $40,000. Higher acuity of care is the major contributor. They reviewed methods they are taking to mitigate anticipated budget overrun and balance case-load mix with the goal to meet budget for year end. Bychinski noted a written report from Home Care received by the Finance Committee.

Consider approval of Sheriff’s Department staff to attend training in San Diego, CA for VisionAir Conference.
Fults reviewed the benefits of employee attendance at the conference. Costs are budgeted. Motion by Fordham, second by Lombard to approve one Sheriff’s department staff to attend training in San Diego, CA for VisionAir Conference. Motion carried.

Presentation and review of 2011 audited financial statements, management letter, and report on federal and state awards.
Amanda Blomberg from Baker Tilly reviewed financial results from the 2011 audit, the report on internal controls and the single audit. She noted the upcoming GASB implementations.

Appearance by Steve Schneider of Hilbert Communications detailing plan for build-out of infrastructure for broadband and cellular technology in Sauk County.
Krueger commented on Hilbert Communications’ work and lack of bank financing. Krueger reviewed the history of the project, the partners, the current status and necessary timeline for the bonds. Schneider commented on Hilbert Communications’ financial status and further commented on project goals and needs. Discussed revenue sources and risk for the County concerning the bond issue. Discussed the policy issue this type of interaction with private industry through this financing. Liebman noted he still needs to take a comprehensive review of all agreements and contracts.

Consideration of a request by Hilbert Communications for Midwestern Disaster Area Revenue Bond Financing and providing for a County guarantee.
Motion by Lane, second by Wenzel to forward the request by Hilbert Communications for Midwestern Disaster Area Revenue Bond Financing and providing for a County guarantee to the full County Board for consideration. Motion carried.

Resolution Supporting Legislation Requiring Online-Only Retailers to Collect and Remit Wisconsin Sales Tax.
Discussed state versus county issue. Motion by Fordham, second by Lombard to support resolution Supporting Legislation Requiring Online-Only Retailers to Collect and Remit Wisconsin Sales Tax. Motion carried.

Presentation of County financial reports.
County financial information was reviewed and discussed. Sales tax was noted. Beghin noted key lines are in good shape year to date.

Treasurer’s Department Update.
Geoghegan highlighted departmental activities. Motion by Lombard, second by Lane to approve payment of Treasurer’s Department invoices in the amount of $191,873.31. Motion carried.

Accounting Department Update.
Beghin highlighted departmental activities. Motion by Lane, second by Fordham to approve payment of Accounting Department invoices in the amount of $80,240.70 and County invoices in the amount of $3,522,595.55. Motion carried.

Committee discussed schedule of meetings for budget review, with consensus to keep meetings as scheduled primarily during the day with the Sheriff’s Department in the late afternoon.

The next regular meeting is set for October 12, 2012 in combination with a joint Personnel and Finance Committee meeting.  Motion by Lombard, second by Lane to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Fordham
Finance Committee Secretary