Finance Committee

09/14/10 Minutes (66 KB)

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

Others present: Kerry Beghin, Jessica Fry, Elizabeth Geoghegan, Lynn Horkan, Tom Kreigl, Marty Krueger, Kathy Schauf

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 Fordham. Motion carried. Motion by Lane to adopt the minutes of previous meetings on August 10 and 17, 2010, second by Wenzel. Motion carried.

Public Comment:

None

Communications:

Tom Kriegl distributed a paper entitled Sheriff Budget Increase.

Presentation of jail state prisoners report.

Fry reviewed the August 2010 DOC Housing by Month report. Half of unit A is open, and vacant staff positions remain vacant. Extended supervision and state prisoner count were up in the month of August.

Presentation of County financial reports.

Beghin reviewed the County financial position. Sales tax is ahead of historical averages to date through June sales. Beghin reviewed notable lines report. Multiple departments and functional areas were highlighted and discussed.

Discussion of expectations for 2011 budget reviews. Discuss programs, priorities, mandates, discretionary programs, service limitations. Capital improvements team recommendations. Equalized values.

The capital improvements plan was discussed, particularly plans for the UW-Baraboo/Sauk County campus. The Committee reviewed the discussion at the Chairperson’s Advisory Committee, particularly the wish for an overall zero percent increase to the levy. Reexamination of programs is needed so that the most important programs receive adequate resources and are accomplished well, while less important non-mandated programs are discontinued. Department managers and oversight committees also need to review the level to which services are provided. Emphasis was placed on exploration of merger and sharing resources between departments. The ad hoc non-represented pay committee is recommending to the Personnel and Finance Committees a 1.5 percent increase to non-represented wages and study of all positions relative to the market. Discussed parity with bargaining groups and the legal requirements of and implications on negotiations. The 2.11 percent decrease in equalized values and tax incremental district changes were reviewed. Programs and priorities in Accounting and Treasurer Departments were discussed. The difference between expenditures and investments in the future was discussed. Levy limit calculations were discussed. Foreclosures and their effects to the community and county were discussed.

Treasurer’s Department Update

Geoghegan updated the Committee on Treasurer Department activity. Full development of investment plans and cash flow analysis will begin after budget work subsides. Geoghegan is working hard on delinquent tax collection so County does not have to take tax deeds. Motion by Bach to approve payment of Treasurer’s Department invoices in the amount of $222,827.90, second by Wenzel. Motion carried.

Accounting Department Update.

Beghin highlighted Accounting Department recent activity. 2009 audit is complete. An RFP will be put together for future audits. Motion by Fordham to approve payment of Accounting Department invoices in the amount of $5,193.43 and County invoices in the amount of $4,050,431.58, second by Bach. Motion carried.

Next Meeting

The next regular Finance meeting will be Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 8:30 am.

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

Respectfully submitted, Joan Fordham: Finance Committee Secretary