Intergovernmental Meeting

11/10/11 Minutes (44 KB)

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

Others present: Kerry Beghin, Marty Krueger, Kathy Schauf, members of local units of government, other taxing jurisdictions and the public

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bychinski at 6:30 PM. Certification of open meeting compliance was given. Motion by Bach to adopt the agenda, second by Lane. Motion carried.

Public Comment:
None

Participant Introductions

Welcome and Introductory Remarks – County Board Chairman Marty Krueger
Representatives from all jurisdictions introduced themselves.

2012 Budgets

County Budget – Kathy Schauf, Administrative Coordinator, gave a presentation summarizing the proposed Sauk County 2012 budget. Finance Committee members discussed the process used, invitations for input into development, and savings obtained from employee contribution to Wisconsin retirement.

Local Governments – Sampling of budget details from a town, village and city in Sauk County. Lynn Eberl, Town of Dellona, described his town’s characteristics, budget and trends. In the absence of representatives from the Village of Prairie du Sac and the City of Baraboo, Schauf reviewed summary data of budget dollars and trends submitted by these units of government.

Discussion and consideration of intergovernmental issues; areas for joint initiatives and shared services
-Declining revenues while struggling to maintain services.
-Delayed road repairs to combine multiple smaller projects into fewer larger projects to obtain economies of scale in bidding.
-Still recovering from floods of 2008 and impact on roadwork and drainage.
-Try not to borrow for roads, streets, and equipment purchases. Leasing equipment versus buying to help cash flows.
-Working to maintain roads, with challenge to maintain state matching funds.
-Challenges created by minimal new construction. Need new financial tools to help with investment in construction.
-Interest on invested funds is very low.
-Need to match users of services with those paying for them.
-Prevailing wage requirements, and difficulties for local contractors to compete.
-Increase in uncollectible accounts receivable. Use of collection agencies and tax refund intercept.
-Potential for central road sign creation.
-Outsourcing of snowplowing. Not mowing as often.
-Loss of employees who either don’t like or can’t afford employee contribution to retirement. Very expensive the replace and retrain, so looking to change compensation packages.
-Concerned about Hwy 12 expansion and impact on sewer and water.
-Early bidding of projects when contractors are more eager for business.
-Mandate relief is needed. Funding formulas often need review.
-Road damage-post roads as Class B or have weight restrictions, find and document abusers, and issue citations.
-Impending requirement for assessor records to be computerized and accessible.
-Address zoning impacts on small employers, businesses, and cottage industries.
-Supply chain is impacted by bankruptcies.
-Need development in TIF districts and business parks.
-Need younger generations to stay in rural and small towns. Need jobs to keep them here, including excellent internet accessibility.
-Balance commitments to kids/social programs with need to maintain infrastructure.
-Increased mandates for EMT training.
-Increased mandates for election processing.
-Increased federal mandates to make road signs bigger.
-Units of government forced to focus on the short-term by doing lower quality work and issuing debt for projects.
-Concerned about lack of constructive dialogue in all levels of government.
-Loss of agricultural base.
-As families and businesses struggle, properties are falling into disrepair, deterring future growth.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Fordham
Finance Committee Secretary