Joint Meeting of Finance and Personnel Committees

05/11/10 Joint Minutes (70 KB)

Finance Committee Members present: Steve Bach, Tommy Lee Bychinski, Joan Fordham, Jason Lane, William F. Wenzel Personnel Committee Members present: Andrea Lombard, Jason Lane, Tim Meister, Henry Netzinger

Absent: Peter Tollaksen

Others present: Kerry Beghin, Cindy Bodendein, Elizabeth Geoghegan, Kim Gochanour, Betty Hinze, Lynn Horkan, Alene Kleczek, Marty Krueger, Vicki Meister, Bev Mielke, Michelle Posewitz, Kathy Schauf, media

The meeting was called to order by Finance Committee Chairperson Bychinski at 3:30 PM. Certification of open meeting compliance was given. Motion by Netzinger to nominate Bychinski to serve as chair of the joint meeting, second by Fordham. Motion by Fordham to close nominations and unanimously elect Bychinski, second by Lane. Motion carried.

Motion by Netzinger to adopt the agenda, second by Lane. Motion carried.

Discussion of target for overall 2011 Budget.

Krueger commented on setting guidance for an overall target for the budget process. He briefly reviewed last year’s budget proceedings. The Committees discussed the implications of an overall target. Schauf stated the Form 1 is key to the budget process. The Committees emphasized the need for front end information for best solutions. Discussion concerning many departments’ being at capacity and making difficult decisions around services and how/who we serve. Schauf stated the oversight committees need to continue to link inputs (county levy) to outcomes. Are we getting the desired end result? Department heads present shared their oversight committees’ program grading process. The Committees discussed the need to look at how mandated services are provided and share skill sets across departments.

Consideration of Elected Officials’ pay plan for the 2011-2014 (Clerk of Courts, Sheriff, Coroner) term of office.

M Posewitz reviewed the history and information of all pay groups including elected, non-represented and unions. The County contribution for health insurance as of 2011 for other mid-term elected officials will decrease to 85% from 90%. At this time, County contribution for all full-time employees is 90%; a change would need to be negotiated for the unions and made to the Personnel Ordinance. The Committees questioned non-represented and elected pay rates as compared to their union employees. M Posewitz stated the gap is very close and in some areas the subordinates make more, especially with overtime./p>

Motion by Fordham to decrease County health insurance contribution to 85% and increase salaries 1% for each year for the elected officials pay plan for the 2001-2014 (Clerk of Courts, Sheriff, Coroner) term of office, second by Lane. Vote called: Finance Committee: Bach-Nay, Bychinski-Nay, Fordham-Aye, Lane-Aye, Wenzel-Aye. Personnel Committee: Lane-Aye, Lombard-Nay, Meister-Abstain, Netzinger-Nay. Motion defeated.

Motion by Bach to decrease County health insurance contribution to 85%, 0% increase to salaries 2011 and 2012, and 1% increase to salaries years 2013 and 2014 for the elected officials pay plan for the 2011-2014 (Clerk of Courts, Sheriff, Coroner) term of office, second by Netzinger. Vote called: Finance Committee: Bach-Aye, Bychinski-Aye, Fordham-Aye, Lane-Aye, Wenzel-Aye. Personnel Committee: Lane-Aye, Lombard-Aye, Meister-Abstain, Netzinger-Aye. Motion carried.

Consideration of Resolution Approving the 2011 Annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for the Non-Represented Employees’ Salaries Effective January 1, 2011.

M Posewitz reviewed the history and information. She confirmed that non-represented employees did not receive a COLA increase for 2010, but did have access to merit step increases. M Posewitz stated a change in health insurance contribution would require a change to the Personnel Ordinance. Discussion of known average increases in settled union contracts compared to non-represented pay. The Committees discussed the risk of losing staff to the market place and associated other costs such as loss of knowledge base, skill and training. There was discussion concerning COLA versus merit step increase.

Motion by Netzinger to decrease County health insurance contribution to 85%, approve a 1.5% 2011 annual COLA for non-represented employees’ salaries effective January 1, 2011, and suspend merit increases for 2011, second by Bach. Vote called: Finance Committee: Bach-Aye, Bychinski-Aye, Fordham-Aye, Lane-Nay, Wenzel-Nay. Personnel Committee: Lane-Nay, Lombard-Aye, Meister-Aye, Netzinger-Aye. Motion carried.

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

Respectfully submitted: Joan Fordham, Finance Committee Secretary and Andrea Lombard, Personnel Committee Secretary