Finance Committee

02/11/10 Minutes (29 KB)

Members present:  Steve Bach, Tommy Lee Bychinski, Joan Fordham, Marty Krueger, William F. Wenzel

Others present:  Judy Ashford, Brent Bailey, Kerry Beghin, Cindy Bodendein, Elizabeth Geoghegan, Kim Gochanour, Fred Halfen, Lowell Haugen, Lynn Horkan, Tom Kriegl, Vicki Meister, Bev Mielke, Kathy Schauf, Jim Schernecker, Joe Van Berkel, Cathy Warwick, media and members of the public

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bychinski at 4:30 PM. Certification of open meeting compliance was given. Motion by Wenzel to adopt the agenda, second by Fordham. Motion carried. Motion by Bach to adopt the minutes of the previous meetings January 12 and 19, 2010, second by Fordham. Motion carried.

Public Comment:

Jim Schernecker commented about county board member attendance at committee meetings, and the inability of the public to participate in discussion and debate at committee meetings. The Committee reiterated their intent to encourage county board member participation through inviting committees to meet at night if possible. This Finance Committee meeting would handle regular business first, with program discussions beginning at 6:00 PM to hopefully enable board member attendance and participation.

Communications:

None

Discussion of possible 2009 budget overrun for Register of Deeds.

Bailey stated the 2009 revenues fell short of budget due mostly to economic conditions and the impact on transfer tax receipts. A part time position was left vacant. Overall shortfall estimated at $10,000.

Discussion of Home Care budget and finances.

Bodendein stated the Home Care Program is estimated to have a 2009 budget deficit of $22,279. Additional funding may be needed to maintain the program in the future. Bodendein noted the Public Health Board felt the any major decisions about changes to the program should be held until the Continuum of Care Committee further evaluates county direction and the family care program has a longer history in the in the county. Cost containment and revenue enhancement will be actively pursued. 2010 will continue to be monitored closely. Public Health, however, will be approximately $15,000 favorable to budget for 2009.

Discussion of grant and expenditures for H1N1, Public Health Emergency Response funds.

Bodendein reported on the vaccination clinics and numbers vaccinated. Limited term employees (LTE) and contracted staff were used for clinics. The original appropriation was $147,000, and there is funding remaining.

Discussion of Health Department ARRA stimulus funds/immunizations.

A $13,586 grant has been received to increase immunization numbers. Funding will be used for a LTE to work on the project and equipment to increase efficiencies.

Consider resolution Amending The 2010 Budget To Accept A Watershed Study Grant Distributed Through The Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources To Evaluate Hydrology Of Clark Creek.

Van Berkel discussed a $30,000 ARRA grant to study the consistent flooding at Clark Creek with the goal of finding prevention options for the flooding. Outside partners with expertise will be used along with a LTE or contracted graduate student. Motion by Bach to amend the 2010 budget to accept a watershed study grant distributed through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to evaluate hydrology of Clark Creek, second by Fordham. Motion carried.

Update on financial performance of the Health Care Center (HCC) as of December 31, 2009.

Gochanour discussed the position of HCC. Revenues were down due to downsizing beds earlier than budgeted and not taking new residents just prior to the move to the new facility. 2010 year has had a 99% census; HCC is seeing influx to the facility. Accounts receivable continues to be reviewed regularly. The building project will end with an estimated $500,000 surplus.

Presentation of quarterly accounts receivable reports as of December 31, 2009.

The various accounts receivable reports were discussed. Inactive versus active account status for accounts was discussed by Vicki Meister.

Update on guardian ad litem collections. Consideration of a contract with Baker Tilly Virchow Krause to establish guardian ad litem process changes. (from January 2010 meeting)

Schauf indicated the Clerk of Courts and Circuit Courts offices are actively working on guardian ad litem collections and making great strides in establishing processes. She stated that currently, she does not recommend moving forward with a Baker Tilly outside contract. Meister stated the process and coordination is now in place for timely invoicing. 2009 and 2008 invoices are completed and they are currently working on 2007. Payments are being received and all appropriate dollars from the trust account have been applied. MIS has helped with efficiencies in the process.

Presentation of jail state prisoners report

Beghin stated 2009 figures are close to final. Sheriff’s Department staff will present at the March meeting.

Presentation of 2009 donations reports.

Committee reviewed the donations. Beghin commented the donations are good news to the county.

Discussion of 2011 budget process.

Schauf indicated that the 2011 budget process is well underway. The draft timeline will be finalized at the next committee meeting along with budget priorities. Schauf encouraged the committee to review the document; changes to process are incorporated in the timeline. Krueger highlighted the March 25, 2010 spring intergovernmental meeting date; agenda and location to be determined.

Presentation of County financial report.

Beghin said December numbers are very preliminary. She reviewed the sales tax and indicated that the County will most likely meet the sales tax budget. The County has not seen the same level of decline in sales tax as the state. Beghin stated that County overall will likely end 2009 with positive budget variances.

Treasurer’s Department Update

Consideration of programs and priorities: Geoghegan indicated there are no changes to programs since last budget. All provided programs are mandated. The Committee reviewed and discussed each program. Geoghegan highlighted planned changes concerning mapping and property listers as an example of process change efficiency. Geoghegan discussed the unknown impact of possible countywide assessment.

Geoghegan updated the Committee on Treasurer Department activity. Geoghegan reviewed the efficiencies to be made with combining of real property listing and mapping. The change brings more accuracy and enables creating a property listing and map almost simultaneously. Motion by Krueger to receive the Treasurer report and approve payment of invoices from the Treasurer’s Department in the amount of $237,683.90, second by Bach. Motion carried.

Accounting Department Update.

Consideration of programs and priorities: The Committee reviewed and discussed each program. Centralization versus decentralization of accounting services was discussed, as well as oversight of department budgets and the auditing role.

Beghin pointed out the highlights of the Accounting Department’s recent activity. Motion by Krueger to receive the Accounting report and approve payment of the Accounting Department invoices in the amount of $85,521.68 and the County invoices in the amount of $3,449,199.55, second by Wenzel. Motion carried.

Next Meeting

The next regular Finance meeting will be Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 8:30 am.

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

Respectfully submitted: Steven Bach, Finance Committee Secretary