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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance 09-24 & 25-1996ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Robert M. Boche, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Donald Brown COMMITTEE TITLE: Finance DATE: September 24 and 25, 2996 TIME: 9:00 A.M. LOCATION: Government Center, Hudson . CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: October 9, 1996 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS : Review of 1997 Department Budgets ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: DATE: COPIES TO: County Clerk News Media/Notice Board Committee Members FINANCE COMMITTEE BUDGET HEARING t d, September 24, 1996 Meeting called to order by Chair Brown at 9:00 a.m. Members present: Don Brown, John Bradley, Tom O'Connell, Tom Dorsey and Robert Boche. Staff present: Administrative Coordinator John Krizek, Finance Director Rich Loney, Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman and County Clerk Sue Nelson. Others present: Suprs. Leon Berenschot, Daryl Standafer, Art Jensen, Bill Krueger. Motion by Bradley, 2nd by Boche to adopt the agenda. Carried. Next regular meeting is October 9. Minutes will be approved at that meeting. Chair stated the purpose of these hearings is to establish the 1997 budget. There will be no individual department contingency funds. There are big and little budgets but both are important. Last year block grants were done for Office on Aging and Health and Human Services and the same is being done for 1997. Administrative Coordinator John Krizek said this budget was a team effort and Department Heads worked hard to meet budget requirements. No wage increases (other than elected officials) are included. This budget meets the same levy amount as last year. Motion by Bradley, 2nd by O'Connell to use the IRS rate for mileage. Carried. Boche voted no. Committee agreed to vote only on chances made and not to vote to adopt every budget Committee reserves the right to revisit any budget during the review process Notation: Figures included in the minutes do not reflect liability insurance or workers, comp adjustments See attached sheet for final totals._ Counter Board and Committees and Commissions: No changes. Legal Publications: No changes but Clerk Nelson indicated funds will be needed from the Contingency Fund if the new Zoning Ordinance is completed in 1997. Health and Human Services: Receives a block grant. Total levy is $2,982,910. Krizek said this department is in a tremendous state of transition and there will be big changes in the next three to four years. Block grant funding should be considered in future years. No changes. Circuit Court: Judge Lundell noted a $2500 salary increase was included for Family Court Commissioner Ed Vlack due to the increase in number of divorce and family court cases. The on -call line item is actually for temporary help in Registrar in Probate. Motion by Bradley, 2nd by O'Connell to reduce the temporary help line item by $1000. Carried. A new computer was requested for the Family Court Commissioner Secretary. Lundell said they are presently borrowing one from Clerk of Court. Krizek said this OS-2 operating system computer is not supported by county computer services; only by the State. If 11 we buy a county computer, the State does not give support. Motion by Bradley, 2nd by O'Connell to delete $4,520 for new computer. Carried. Land Conservation: Committee Chair Art Jensen and County Conservationist Chuck Christenson were present. Discussion on a house built below a Glen Hills Watershed dam in a Town not covered by County Zoning. Is the County liable if the dam breaks and is the County responsible for survey of flood. plain to determine where water levels would be? Jensen and Christenson agreed the warning signal on Structure #2 is the number one priority at a cost of $13,500. Discussion on $37,500 for engineering and ' surveying service and would this be an effective tool for flood plain zoning. Motion by Bradley 2nd by Doche to delete $37,500 for engineer/survey service but review this issue at the October 9 meeting. Carried. Corporation Counsel Timmerman advised the County has a Flood Plain Zoning Ordinance which would apply to the Town not covered by county zoning. Flood plains are established on four structures, six are not done including the one involving the home built below the dam. Dorsey said no flood plain was established so the home builder did not violate zoning but a signal must be put on the dam. Discussion on new equipment. Option #1 is based on Land Records request for GIS equipment and approval for it. Planning Director Dave Fodroczi explained how the equipment for GIS allows for use of map and data sets which are already paid for. Soils maps are included. Other departments would use these products. Zoning maps would be updated on a daily basis and would be current at the end of the day. Timmerman indicated this should prevent many future law suits. Land Information: This needs to be approved before Land Conservation's new equipment request is decided. No changes. Land Conservation: No further changes. Medical Examiner: No changes. Administrative Coordinator: No changes. County Clerk: No changes. Elections: No changes. Personnel: Discussion on employee picnic. Requested that County Board members be invited to the picnic. (on second day of budget review, $806 was deleted for part time help.) Recruitment: Motion by O'Connell, 2nd by Boche to reduce by $500. Carried. Finance: Rich Loney noted a new computer may be needed in mid 1997 2 if HP 3000 is not used for payroll. No changes. Assessment and Tax Roll Supplies: No changes. Treasurer: Discussion on printer to use for on-line receipting. Computer Services Director Kathryn Beutel said this department does not have an extra one to loan. Motion by O'Connell, 2nd by Dorsey to purchase this printer from the $35, 000 already allotted from the Contingency Fund for the new Tax Collection and Real Property system at the September 10 Finance meeting. Carried. Deleted $955 from budget. Computer Services: Budget is down $88,000. Brown thanked Kathryn Beutel for her good efforts in budgeting and working with us. O'Connell thanked her for her work at the Health Center. No changes. Sheriff's Department: Sheriff Paul Burch, Chief Deputy Max Ihrke, Patrol Captain Roland Thompson and Jail Captain Karen Humphrey were present. Krizek would like to add a $30, 000 line item for cellular phone use in order that this be managed by the Sheriff's department. Ihrke is working with U.S. West on a new system which will reduce cellular phone costs. Burch explained that cellular phones save time and mileage; complainants can be called rather than the officer having to drive to their location. Ihrke said calling card bills have been reduced about $400 a month. The $101,000 funding for the three new officers and equipment will come from the Contingency Fund. Humphrey will try to contract with a local library for jail library services. The library budget had $2045 for the jail library. Motion by Boche, 2nd by Dorsey to add new line item #348 - $2000 for jail library. Carried. Discussion on overtime with the addition of three new officers. Ihrke said the new officers will have some overtime. Chair questioned if other officers would have as much overtime with three new positions. Motion by Bradley, 2nd by Boche to remove $4,000 from overtime line item in Sheriff's Dept. Carried. Burch explained the 15 stop sticks ordered for each officer will be used in high speed chases. This device has a row of spikes that imbed in a tire and slowly let the air out. This prevents injuries to officers and others involved and also damage to squad cars. Ihrke also noted a County Ordinance is needed to declare marijuana a noxious weed. Jail: Budget is up about $50,000 based on increased daily population. Humphrey budgeted for tinted windows which allow jailers to look in cell blocks but inmates cannot see jailers. When inmates see the jailer is gone, they tend to "act up." Humphrey would like to keep the carpeting to reduce the noise level. Motion by Bradley, 2nd by Brown to reduce $25,'000 for housing juveniles but motion was withdrawn by both. Discussion on placing this in the Human Services budget. No decision made. Child Support: Director Lynn Holmes and Public Protection Chair Krueger appeared. Brown commended Holmes on the well presented and easy to understand budget. Discussion on the three new modular work station requested. Holmes said one employee is having carpel tunnel problems and another neck problems. No new work stations have been purchased since 1987 and 1988. Krueger commented the new KIDS program requires more time on the terminals. Krizek will ask Risk Manager Bill Husbands to assess the present work stations and a decision on new stations will be made on October 9. Krueger asked to restore the 500 hour temporary position recently removed by Personnel Committee. He feels Holmes is doing well in supervising the department during the transition to KIDS. The old program answers questions more quickly because KIDS has many screens to go through and makes for a slower response time. Chair Brown said Personnel cut the position and Public Protection wishes to restore it; therefore the County Board can make the decision. Fair Board: Treasurer Dr. John Swingle was present to request a $2300 increase of county support in order to remodel the.present bathroom by the horse barn by adding showers and new hot water heaters. Also need to hire a Supervisor for the summer workers. Motion by Brown, 2nd by O'Connell to reduce request by $1,000 leaving $34,300 for County funding. Carried. Victim Witness: No changes. District Attorney: No changes. Corporation Counsel: No changes. Committee recessed until Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 9:00 a.m. FINANCE COMMITTEE BUDGET HEARING September 25, 1996 Meeting reconvened by Chair Brown at 9:05 a.m. Members present: Don Brown, Robert Boche, Tom Dorsey, Tom O'Connell and John Bradley. Staff present: Administrative Coordinator John Krizek, Finance Director Rich Loney and County Clerk Sue Nelson. Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman arrived at 3:00 p.m. Others present: Suprs. Ron Raymond and Art Jacobson and former Supervisor Karen Bailey. Economic Development: Director Bill Rubin is attempting to get more private sector donations while retaining the present public sector donations. The request from the County was $40,924 or an 18.70-. increase. Chair said developers, bankers, realtors and others who have a vested interest in businesses locating in this county should be paying more. The County should be lowering their contribution each year. Rubin replied he is attempting to increase the amount from the public sector from $13,300 to $25,000. Motion by Dorsey, 2nd by Bradley to fund at the same level as 1996 or $34,464. Carried. ($6,460 less than requested.) Clerk of Court: Chair thanked Lori Meyer for her good, concise budget. Meyer said the Finance part or the KIDS program has lots 4 of problems. The case management part of KIDS in Child Support is working well. Clerk of Courts now has responsibility for the financial part; it is no longer part of Child Support office. In response to Brown's question on collection problems, Meyer replied that Office Manager Barb Kaiser is on a State CCAP study committee to work on billing for Guardian ad Litem fees and traffic fine collections will be addressed later. Motion by O'Connell, 2nd by Bradley to make salary correction for Clerk of Court to $36,008 for 1997. Carried. Audit Account, Special Accounting, Judgements and Losses, Unemployment, Prior Years and Sundry Unclassified: No changes. Register of Deeds: Chair thanked Kay Walsh for easy to read budget format. Walsh budgeted for three conferences in 1997. Mileage could be reduced because one will be located in Chippewa Falls. Motion by Dorsey, 2nd by Boche to remove $100 from Staff Development. Carried. County Parks: Park Director Joe Grant reported the salary increase is due to budgeting for one more seasonal worker. Budget includes building an indoor bathroom for employees at the day use entrance. Committee requested this be a public bathroom with an outside handicapped accessible entrance. Motion by Dorsey, 2nd by Boche to remove $300 for cellular phone. Carried. Dorsey noted there may be some cost overrun in order to make the bathroom public. Woodville Trail: Supr. Art Jacobson and Eau Galle Town Chair Don Rodel were present. Brown commented $22,000 from the contingency fund had already been designated for the new bridge on this trail. Another $36,000 is being requested for gravel, culverts and fuel. Discussion on engineering and liability of the County. Rodel said the design and data from Carr Creek bridge was used. Highway Commissioner Dan Fedderly had said this was an extremely safe size but won't sign as a P.E. because the County is not doing the work. Krizek said a P.E. signature is needed to avoid liability. Rodel said the company building the bridge has a registered P.E. and the cost would be $1500. Jacobson said this would get done. Joe Grant showed a map of the trail and the planned repairs. Rodel stated the U.S. Army Reserve is committed to labor and equipment. The Towns of Baldwin and Eau Galle, Village of Woodville, St. Croix Electric, Albrightson Excavating and retired highway employees are all cooperating by providing a grader and operator, trucks and people, setting poles and other help. Jacobson said this cannot be done in phases because the Army Reserve may not be available in future years. Motion by Brown, 2nd by O'Connell to remove $3,000 for snowmobile maintenance. Carried. This is covered by DNR and donations from snowmobile clubs. Perch Lake: Supr. Raymond said there is no operating budget for Perch Lake. County Planner Ellen Denzer said $45,000 (rather than 5 previously budgeted $50,000) is needed for initial land contract payment, $5,000 is needed for closing costs and survey for right- of-way, $5,000 to pay county's share of park master plan, and $1,000 for gate and signage for a total of $56,000. Park will be closed to the public next year so gate and signs are needed. Motion by Dorsey, 2nd by O'Connell to budget $56,000 for Perch Lake. Carried. Net levy impact: $6,000. The $45,000 purchase payment will be a debt service levy. The $5,000 less purchase payment and $5,000 cost of master plan negated a levy increase. Zoning: Administrator Tom Nelson appeared. Chair Brown questioned the legal fees as being an individual budget contingency fund. Motion by O'Connell, 2nd by Bradley to remove $10,000 from legal fees leaving $1,000 for court fees. Carried. Dorsey stated the need for Corporation Counsel to be available for Planning, Zoning and Parks Committee meetings. Brown will relay this concern to Timmerman and ask him to attend. The large increase in the zoning budget is due to budgeting for wages and fringes for a new administrative position. O'Connell questioned the office aid for Personnel when the 500 hour part time position in Child Support was deleted and a new position was created in Zoning. The Assistant in the Personnel office makes more than elected officials and is an office aid necessary. Krizek said this was requested because it is the county's turn to run the labor contracts. Nelson said no flood plan maps have been developed or adopted in the area of concern by Glen Hills dam #2. Two issues are a flood way on which a person is not permitted to build and flood fringe which needs a special exception to build. Flood plan applies in every Town but no maps were adopted so could not deny building this house. Highway: Committee Chair Sinclear and Vice Chair King and Commissioner Dan Fedderly were present. Fedderly indicated the short fall in the State Aids Transportation budget is $23,000 for this year. It was a difficult winter for the snowplowing budget because of numerous and times of snow events. Presently this is an $100, 000 overrun but if the 1996 fall is normal there will be a $50,000 shortfall. Sinclear noted the Highway Dept. is getting less amount of work from the State which affects income. The State budget presently has a zero revenue increase so there may be a shortfall again in 1997. He asked that Transportation Aids be an issue when Legislators visit the County Board. O'Connell asked if building roads to the new Milwaukee stadium would affect the Stillwater bridge and other state road construction in the county. Fedderly replied yes but the State won't admit it. The State spends billions on the Milwaukee freeway system and this affects other counties. Sinclear and Fedderly said we are behind on the six year R construction plan and continue to fall behind on the 125 year reconstruction cycle. O'Connell asked about the Carmichael extension and Fedderly noted this is not in the 1997 budget and he believes owners of property to be developed should build the roads. The Highway Dept. has the engineer and design plans done. Brown thanked them for a good budget format and for coming to the meeting. Planning: Director Dave Fodroczi noted the budget was down. Discussion on Professional Services and Staff Development. Both Bradley and Boche expressed concern about the intentions of the Metro Council to envelop our county. Fodroczi said Planning, Zoning and Parks Committee shares this concern. They are working on a joint resolution with Polk, Pierce and St. Croix Counties opposing joining or participating in the Metro Council area. No changes made. Real Property: No changes Recycling: In reply to Boche's question on $6,000 increase in salaries, Fodroczi said one employee was laid off, the former Waste Management coordinator was placed in this position and more secretarial time was added. Fodroczi reported the County is no longer eligible for grants for clean sweeps and the Resource and Extension Committee supports a hazardous waste clean up every year. About 400 people participated in the recent clean up but the cost was about $100 per person. Brown suggested two sites for a clean up rather than three. Fodroczi will check to see if this would reduce costs and this will be reviewed at the Oct. 9 Finance meeting. Emergency Government and SARA: No changes. Maintenance: Manager Ralph Robole noted a typo of $716 in Staff Development which should be removed. New equipment requests were for a new computer and printer and group relamping. Robole explained it is more economical to change a group of bulbs at one time near the end of their expected serviceable life than to replace one here and there. Snow removal cost is $8,000 and Committee requested this be put out for bids. Motion by Boche, 2nd by O'Connell to remove $500 from Grounds Maintenance. Carried. Telephone: Robole is contracting for lower line and phone usage rates. Motion by Bradley, 2nd by Dorsey to reduce telephone budget to $67,488 or a reduction of $9,636. Carried. ITBEC: Boche read a letter from ITBEC Chair Dick Truax requesting funding of $10,708 from St. Croix County. No action taken. Emergency Communications: No changes. Veteran's Service: No changes. O'Connell questioned why this office has to buy flags for the Government Center. It is a Maintenance responsibility. UW-Extension: No changes. 7 ETN• No changes. WESTCAP: Motion by Boche, 2nd by Bradley to delete $1000 leaving a $1500 allocation. Carried. Nursing Home: No county levy request. Krizek said if census stays above 105 and ITP (Intergovernmental Transfer Payment) remains the same, the Nursing Home will have a viable budget. No changes. Personnel: Motion by O'Connell, 2nd by Boche to remove $806 for part time office aide. Carried. Department On Aging: No changes. Recap: Chair Brown stated the goal of the same levy of $11,183,488 has been met. There is $710,000 in the Contingency Fund for wage and fringe increases, Clinton Cops, sewer and water payment to City of Hudson and $200,000 for other contingencies. Brown noted the WMMIC bonds will have a call date on Dec. 1, 1997 and the interest is 8.250-. so an effort will be made to redeem them. The General Fund is in good shape. O'Connell expressed thanks to Loney, Krizek and Brown for the smooth budgeting process. Bradley thanked Department Heads and oversight Committees. Chair Brown thanked all the people who participated in the budget process. Motion to adjourn by O'Connell, 2nd by Bradley. Meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. Thomas O'Connell, Secretary ACTIONS of the FINANCE COMMITTEE REGARDING 1997 BUDGET REQUESTS Tuesday, September 24, 1996 1. Circuit Court, Dept. #06: Line #111 - Salaries: Reduce by -1,000 Line #151 - FICA Reduces by -77 Line #156 - Worker's Comp. reduces by -15 Line #813 - Delete computer, etc. -4,520 Line #518 - Liability Insurance reduces by -28 Total -5,640 2. Land Conservation, Fund #131 Line #219 - Prof. Services: Reduce by -37,500 Line #518 - Liability Insurance reduces by -188 Total -37,688 3. Recruitment, Dept. #19: Line #321 - Publications: Reduce by -500 4. Treasurer, Dept. #29: Line #813 - New Equipment: Cut all -955 Line #518 - Liability Insurance reduces by -55 Total -960 5. Sheriff, Dept. #65: Transfer $30,000 for operation of cellular phones at line #225 +30,000 Line #112 - Overtime: Reduce by -4,000 Line #151 - FICA reduces by -306 Line #152 - Employer Retirement reduces by -420 Line #153 - Employee Retirement reduces by -232 Line #156 - Worker's Comp. reduces by -60 Line #159 - Prior Service Retirement reduces by -32 Line #518 - Liability Insurance increases by +125 Total +25,075 6. Jail, Dept. #78: Line #348 - Instructional Aids: Add for jail library +2,000 Line #518 - Liability Insurance increases by +10 Total +2,010 7. Fair Board, Dept. #95: Line #790 - Grants & Contributions: Reduce by -1,000 Wednesday, September 25, 1996 8. Economic Development, Dept. #96 Line #790 - Grants & Contributions: Reduce by -6,460 9. Clerk of Court, Dept. #7 Line #111 - Salaries: Correct salary +1,050 Line #151 - FICA increases by +80 Line #152 - Employer Retirement increases by +107 Line #153 - Employee Retirement increases by +49 Line #156 - Worker's Comp. increases by +16 Line #159 - Prior Service Retirement increases by +9 Line #518 - Liability Insurance increases by +7 Total +1,318 10. Register of Deeds, Dept. #40 Line #157 - Staff Development: Reduce by -100 Line #518 - Liability Insurance reduces by -11 Total -101 11. Parks Outlay, Fund #121: Line #813 - New Equipment: Remove cellular phone -300 Line #518 - Liability Insurance reduces by =2 Total -302 12. Woodville Trail, Fund #203; Line #360 - Operations: Delete all -3,000 Liability Insurance #518 reduces by -15 Total -3,015 13. Perch Lake Acquisition: The budget as developed included provision for the initial land contract payment of $100,000 with $50,000 DNR funding. This should be changed to $55,000 of DNR funding and $45,000 debt service levy. The Finance Committee approved $20,000 for development of the park master plan, $15,000 of which is DNR funded, $5,000 for closing costs and $1,000 for a gate, signage, etc. Net levy impact here: +6,000 14. Zoning, Dept. #45: Line #212 - Legal Services: Delete outside counsel-10,000 Line #518 - Liability Insurance decreases by -50 Total-10,050 15. Maintenance, Dept. #51: Line #157 - Staff Development: Reduce by -716 Line #245 - Grounds Maintenance: Reduce by -500 Telephone System: Based on current usage, Robole recommended phone line reductions totaling -9,636 Line #518 - Liability Insurance reduces by -54 Total-10,906 16. Emergency Communications, Dept. #74: Add state grant revenue for equipment acquisition 6,124 17. WESTCAP, Dept. #99: Line #790 - Grants & Contributions: Reduce to 1996 level of $1,500 -1,000 18. Personnel, Dept. #18: Line #111 - Salaries: Delete office aid -806 Line #151 - FICA reduces by -62 Line #156 - Worker's Comp. reduces by -12 Line #518 - Liability Insurance reduces by =4 Total -884 1997 Contingency Fund: Wages & fringe benefits not included in budgets 350,000 (1997 contracts not yet settled) True contingencies 200,000 Sheriff's Department: 3 positions, pending grant funding 100,000 City of Hudson: Anticipated utility assessment 60,000 Total 710,000