Finance Committee

12/14/10 Minutes (71 KB)

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

Others present: Kerry Beghin, Linda Ellen, Jessica Fry, Elizabeth Geoghegan, Paul Hefty, Lynn Horkan, Tom Kriegl, Marty Krueger, Teri Radke, Kathy Schauf, Tim Stieve, Sharon Terry, Warren Terry, Joe Van Berkel and media

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bychinski at 8:30 AM. Certification of open meeting compliance was given. Motion by Bach to adopt the agenda, second by Lane. Motion carried. Motion by Fordham to adopt the minutes of previous meetings on October 28, November 4, and 19, 2010, second by Bach. Motion carried.

Public Comment:

Linda Ellen commented on possible 2010 budget overrun for Sheriff’s Department. Sharon Terry commented on 2011 budget process and 2010 budget overrun for Sheriff’s Department.

Communications:

None

Presentation of jail state prisoners report.

Fry reviewed the November report. She commented that Jail Unit A is closed as of tomorrow, December 15, 2010. Remaining Department of Corrections prisoners will be transferred to Unit B and the staff laid off as of December 15, 2010.

Update on possible 2010 budget overrun for Sheriff’s Department.

Fry reviewed the areas causing the possible 2010 budget overrun. Huber and inmate housing revenues are short, and even with expenses decreased, the Department expects a net $250,000 projected budget overrun. Fry also noted the unions are still in negotiation for 2010 wages.

Update on possible 2010 budget overrun for County Farm budget.

Van Berkel reviewed the cause of the possible 2010 budget overrun. Projected 2010 budget overrun is $4,016 due to granting of reduced land rent since the farm property was used for spreading materials from closure of the Health Care Center wastewater treatment plant. Recent improvements made to the land are investments and will keep the rental rates up for future contracts.

Consider creation of bank account for Clerk of Courts wire transfers from collection agency.

Radke reviewed the need for a bank account and confirmed there is no cost to maintain the account. Motion by Bach to create a bank account for Clerk of Courts wire transfers from collection agency, second by Wenzel. Motion carried.

Consider resolution Approving the Group Purchase of Pagers for Fire and EMS Agencies for Compliance with Narrowbanding Regulations and Amending the 2010 and 2011 Budgets to Appropriate the Receipt and Disbursement of Funds.

Stieve reviewed how the group purchase will benefit the County and other participants. The recommendation came from work in the Communications Infrastructure Committee. The County will be purchaser and collect the monies from other participants, with the few purchases for County departments already budgeted. Motion by Fordham Approving the Group Purchase of Pagers for Fire and EMS Agencies for Compliance with Narrowbanding Regulations and Amending the 2010 and 2011 Budgets to Appropriate the Receipt and Disbursement of Funds, second by Lane. Motion carried.

Presentation of County financial reports.

Beghin reviewed the County financial position. Sales tax is still very good; this is a hopeful sign for the region. Even considering the already reported budget overruns, the County should meet its overall budget due to other favorable areas. Grant funding for 2010 remains as planned. 2011 may have some changes as the new Governor and Legislature are seated. The dam repairs and status were discussed, with overall repairs within the amounts budgeted.

Review of 2011 budget process.

Schauf discussed positive processes and areas for improvement. The combination of conceptual strategic planning, open and honest examination of mandates, and development of numbers was discussed at length. Committee consensus was to continue focus on utilized resources concerning mandated and non-mandated services. Collateral effects also need to be noted as service levels are evaluated. The Committee agreed that dialogue needs to be encouraged at the committee level with both chair and department manager involvement. Committee meeting times were discussed.

Treasurer’s Department Update

Geoghegan updated the Committee on Treasurer Department activity. Geoghegan received response from other counties about charging for repeated contacts; all counties were overwhelmingly opposed to charging. Issues, time and effort around the process was discussed. Motion by Bach to approve payment of Treasurer’s Department invoices in the amount of $157,045.26, second by Wenzel. Motion carried.

Accounting Department Update.

Beghin highlighted Accounting Department recent activity. Motion by Fordham to approve payment of Accounting Department invoices in the amount of $1,487.41 and County invoices in the amount of $3,192,365.22, second by Lane. Motion carried.

Next Meeting

The next regular Finance meeting will be Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 8:30 am.

Motion by Wenzel to adjourn the meeting, second by Lane. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted: Joan Fordham, Finance Committee Secretary