Finance Committee Meeting

finance_committee_minutes_02-11-14.pdf (74 KB)

Members present:                Tommy Lee Bychinski, Joan Fordham, Jason Lane and Andrea Lombard

Excused:                       William F. Wenzel

Others present:             Kerry Beghin, Liz Geoghegan, Lynn Horkan, Tom Kriegl Marty Krueger, Kathy Schauf, Tony Tyczynski

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bychinski at 8:30 AM.  Certification of open meeting compliance was given.  Motion by Fordham, second by Lane to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.  Motion by Lombard, second by Lane to approve the minutes of January 14 and 21, 2014.  Motion carried.

Public Comment:  None

Communications:  None

Presentation of quarterly accounts receivable reports as of December 31, 2013.

Beghin commented that the departments have not indicated any areas of concern.  The uncollectable amount from Clerk of Courts was discussed.

Consider approval of travel in excess of 300 miles for Veterans Service Office staff to attend the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers’ 2014 Training Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan in June, 2014.

Tyczynski reviewed the annual training conference, benefits and opportunities to be gained.  He confirmed the expenses are budgeted and the majority of expense is covered by a grant.  Motion by Lane, second by Lombard to approve travel in excess of 300 miles for Veterans Service Office staff to attend the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers’ 2014 Training Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan in June, 2014.  Motion carried.

Consideration of funding for UW-Baraboo/Sauk County signage.

The location, cost and benefits of the signage were discussed.  The unbudgeted expense is planned to be split between multiple partners, and each entities’ amounts are not yet determined.  Schauf will get more information before further discussion next month.

Review of 2015 budget priorities and timeline.

Beghin noted timeline is similar to prior years, and she highlighted the changes.  Due to upcoming elections, March includes a joint Finance and Personnel meeting to consider Clerk of Courts, Coroner and Sheriff pay plan.  Citizen forums are included in the timeline.  The Committee will review the 2014 Budget Guidance for action at a future meeting.

Update on possible 2013 budget overrun for Accounting Department.

Due the retirement benefit payout of a long time employee on December 30, the Accounting Department is in a budget overrun position.  Savings in other areas help to offset, ending with an estimated budget overrun of $2,504.

Presentation of County financial reports.

Sales tax is very strong with one more month to record in 2013, with other notable lines and key indicators in good shape.  General big picture is favorable for the year.  Beghin reviewed a change in accounting standard concerning debt issuance cost amortization that will affect the Health Care Center (HCC) budget in 2013.  The expense will be absorbed by the HCC enterprise fund.

Treasurer’s Department Update.

Geoghegan highlighted departmental activities and properties.  February settlement is in progress, but amounts are consistent with prior years.  The first tax revenue intercept (TRIP) payment for delinquent taxes has been received.  Motion by Lombard, second by Fordham to approve payment of Treasurer’s Department invoices in the amount of $1,430.90.  Motion carried.

Accounting Department Update.

Beghin highlighted departmental activities.  The two union decertifications brought additional work to the department.  CDBG program has had three days of monitoring for the multiple year program totaling over $10 million.  Overall review is looking good.   Impending Federal level audit requirements will bring considerable changes in administering grant funds, with increased focus on performance measures.  Motion by Lombard, second by Lane to approve payment of Accounting Department invoices in the amount of $1,021,983.40 and County invoices in the amount of $2,637,121.39.  Motion carried.

Next regular Finance Committee meeting will include a March joint meeting with Personnel, date to be determined.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Fordham, Finance Committee Secretary