Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance 01-09-1996ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Robert M. Boche, Chair St. Croix County Board FROM: Donald Brown, Chair COMMITTEE TITLE: FINANCE DATE: January 9, 1996 ***NOTE DATE TIME: 9:00 A.M. DATE***CHANGED BACK TO ORIGINAL LOCATION: St. Croix County Government Center CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: February 9, 1996 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Review of Vouchers 9:00 A.M. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Administrative Coordinator Report A. Update on Phone System 2. Finance Director A. Overdrawn Accounts B. Tax Deed Property C. Investment of County Funds 3. County Clerk 4. Personnel Report 5. Corporation Counsel Report *A. Line Item Transfer From 1995 Budget 6. Computer Services A. Long Range Plan B. Wide Area Network (WAN) Report *C. Contingency Fund Transfer Request 7. County Treasurer A. Hudson Landfill 8. Planning and Development A. Contingency Fund Transfer 9. Clerk of Court A. Update on KIDS Request - Perch Lake Appraisal 10. Dog Damage Claim - Ernest Kluedtke/Town of St. Joseph 11. Judges Report 9:05 A.M. A. Update on Small Claims Mediation ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE: POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNEMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) DATE: 12/28/95, 01/02/95, 01/03/95 COPIES TO: County Board Office News Media/Notice Board County Clerk County Board County Departments *ADDITIONS/CHANGES/CORRECTIONS ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Robert M. Boche, Chair St. Croix County Board FROM: Donald Brown, Chair COMMITTEE TITLE: FINANCE DATE: January 5, 1996 ***NOTE DATE CHANGE*** TIME: 9:00 A.M. LOCATION: St. Croix County Government Center CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: February 9, 1996 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Review of Vouchers 9:00 A.M. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Administrative Coordinator Report A. Update on Phone System 2. Finance Director A. Overdrawn Accounts B. Tax Deed Property C. Investment of County Funds 3. County Clerk 4. Personnel Report 5. Corporation Counsel Report *A. Line Item Transfer From 1995 Budget 6. Computer Services A. Long Range Plan B. Wide Area Network (WAN) Report 7. County Treasurer A. Hudson Landfill 8. Planning and Development A. Contingency Fund Transfer 9. Clerk of Court A. Update on KIDS Request - Perch Lake Appraisal 10. Dog Damage Claim - Ernest Kluedtke/Town of St. Joseph 11. Judges Report 9:05 A.M. A. Update on Small Claims Mediation ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE: POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNEMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) DATE: 12/28/95, 01/02/95, 01/03/95 COPIES TO: County Board Office News Media/Notice Board County Clerk County Board County Departments *ADDITIONS/CHANGES/CORRECTIONS ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Robert M. Boche, Chair St. Croix County Board FROM: Donald Brown, Chair COMMITTEE TITLE: FINANCE DATE: January 5, 1996 ***NOTE DATE CHANGE*** TIME: 9:00 A.M. LOCATION: St. Croix County Government Center CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: February 9, 1996 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Review of Vouchers 9:00 A.M. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Administrative Coordinator Report A. Update on Phone System 2. Finance Director A. Overdrawn Accounts B. Tax Deed Property C. Investment of County Funds 3. County Clerk 4. Personnel Report 5. Corporation Counsel Report 6. Computer Services A. Long Range Plan B. Wide Area Network (WAN) Report 7. County Treasurer A . - Hudson Landfill 8. Planning and Development A. Contingency Fund Transfer 9. Clerk of Court A. Update on KIDS Request - Perch Lake Appraisal 10. Dog Damage Claim - Ernest Kluedtke/Town of St. Joseph 11. Judges Report 9:05 A.M. A. Update on Small Claims Mediation ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE: POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNEMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) DATE: 12/28/95, 01/02/95 COPIES TO: County Board Office News Media/Notice Board County Clerk County Board County Departments *ADDITIONS/CHANGES/CORRECTIONS ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Robert M. Boche, Chair St. Croix County Board FROM: Donald Brown, Chair COMMITTEE TITLE: FINANCE DATE: January 9, 1996 TIME: 9:00 A.M. LOCATION: St. Croix County Government Center CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: February 9, 1996 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Review of Vouchers 9:00 A.M. 2. Pierce/St. Croix Humane Society 9:30 A.M. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Administrative Coordinator Report A. Update on Phone System 2. Finance Director A. Overdrawn Accounts B. Tax Deed Property C. Investment of County Funds 3. County Clerk 4. Personnel Report 5. Corporation Counsel Report 6. Computer Services A. Long Range Plan B. Wide Area Network (WNA) Report 7. County Treasurer A. Hudson Landfill 8. Planning and Development A. Contingency Fund Transfer 9. Clerk of Court A. Update on Kids Request - Perch Lake Appraisal 10. Dog Damage Claim - Ernest Kluedtke/Town of St. Joseph ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE: POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNEMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) DATE: 12/28/95 COPIES TO: County Board Office News Media/Notice Board County Clerk County Board County Departments *ADDITIONS/CHANGES/CORRECTIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE Regular Meeting January 9, 1996 Meeting called to order by Chair Brown at 9:05 a.m. Members present: Don Brown, Bill Oemichen, Bob Boche, LuVerne Burke. Absent: John Bradley. Staff present: Administrative Coordinator John Krizek, Finance Director Rich Loney, Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman, County Clerk Sue Nelson. Others present: Suprs. Dowd, Mortensen, Raymond and Bailey, members of the press and members of Hudson High School Government Class. Motion by Oemichen, 2nd by Boche to adopt the agenda. Carried. Next meeting is February 9, 1996. Motion by Burke, 2nd by Oemichen to approve the December 8 minutes. Carried. Vouchers: Chair Brown had reviewed the vouchers prior to the meeting. Motion by Boche, 2nd by Burke to approve payment. Carried. Judge's Report: Judge Lundell and Judge Needham appeared. Judge Lundell explained on October 1, 1995 the Small Claims limit increased to $5,000 per claim and this has increased contested cases. The Judges would like to implement a new process which involves the use of volunteers for the first mediation session to try to resolve the issue or at least reduce the highly charged emotional level. The goal is to have this system up and running by March 1, 1996 and a training and information meeting for volunteers is scheduled for January 30. No funding is needed at this point except for required forms. This system would be used for non -attorney cases and the decision of the mediator is not binding. Clients have the option of having a Circuit Court Judge or Court Commissioner hear their case. This system is used in Eau Claire County and about 750 of the cases have been solved through mediation. If a settlement is reached on a voluntary basis, those involved are more likely to pay the claim. Judge Needham noted that contracts for five Guardian ad Litems are being issued. This contracting -out has held down GAL costs and the quality of the service remains good. Chair Brown commended both Judges for their innovative plan and excellent report. Administrative Coordinator: John Krizek distributed a Time Line chart for installation of a PBX system. A user group will review and modify the RFP and a recommendation should be made to Finance at the March 8 meeting. Krizek gave comparisons from a WI Taxpayer Alliance report (based on 1994 budget figures) on various costs to our county vs State 1 means. For example Judicial costs in the county are $19.96 per capita vs the State mean of $16.88. We are higher in most areas due to lack of State Aid and our high per.capita income. Dunn County receives $2.3 million in shared revenues compared to $996,000 received by St. Croix County. Krizek was contacted by the Humane Society in regard to excess dog fund monies. There has not been time to do a survey of Towns but comments from Town Officials indicate they want to run their own business. Krizek suggested the Humane Society attend the Towns' Association meeting on January 25. Krizek and Loney are working on a survey to determine if the Nursing Home will need a County subsidy due to low census (census was 100 on January 1). On July 1, 1996 we may have to decrease the number of licensed beds or take a cut in rate. Burke, Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, said the Nursing Home is not losing money yet and cut backs are being made as much as possible. Liability Settlements: Krizek reported a recent settlement of $220,000 to a truck driver involved with a highway vehicle. The Highway Dept. is reponsible to reimburse the liability fund the $100,000 deductible. The State cap for vehicle accidents is $250,000 and for personal injury the cap is $50,000. Recently an arbitrator awarded $54,000 to a jail inmate who was injured by fellow prisoners. The County is appealing the amount over the cap. Both these incidents took place in 1992 and much more emphasis has been given to safety programs. Perch Lake Appraisal: Planning and Development committee representative Ron Raymond, Planning Director Dave Fodroczi and County Planner Ellen Denzer were present. Raymond advised that $3500 was spent for an appraisal but this appraisal was disappointing. The owners of this Perch Lake property would like to sell to the County and keep the area for public use. The assessed value is $240,000 and the appraisal was $160,000. Meetings were held between the Planning and Development Committee, Assessor and Appraiser but no agreement was reached. Raymond requested $3500 to get a second appraisal. People who were present from the Sports Alliance, Town of Somerset, Town of St. Joseph, and County employees were introduced and made comments in favor of the county's purchase of this property. Chair Brown indicated the Finance committee carries out the policy of the County Board and there seems to be confusion on the value of the land. Committee recommended this issue be presented to the County Board for full discussion. Computer Services: Director Bruce Callen and Computer Advisory Committee Ron Raymond presented the Long Range Plan. Callen advised this plan does not commit the County Board to future 2 expenditures; this will be part of the budget process. There will be a need to increase the repair and replacement fund next year due to having a lot of old equipment. Callen stated in 1996 the WAN (Wide Area Network) will be implemented between the Government Center and Health and Human Services. The new UNIX system is being installed at the Government Center this weekend. Software will be ordered by individual departments and future plans for multi -users include E Mail, voucher processing, internet and enhancing the budget sheets. There is a continual need for training and a new training classroom will be set up in New Richmond. The Computer Advisory committee will be setting policy to implement the Long Range Plan. Chair Brown complimented Callen and Raymond on the Long Range Plan and WAN. Callen commended County Planner Ellen Denzer for her efforts in producing the plan. Contingency Fund Transfer: Callen requested $6500 to pay for a Personnel software system partially implemented in 1994 but funds were not tranferred from 1994 for payment in 1995. Callen attempted to complete payment from 1995 budget but does not have sufficient funds. Remaining monies in Computer Services 1995 budget are not known at this time. Callen is to report back at the February meeting on this and his plans for either more overtime or part time help when an employee takes a two month maternity leave. Docr Damage Claim: Motion by Oemichen, 2nd by Boche to approve $195 dog damage claim for sheep to Ernest Kluedtke, Town of St. Joseph. Carried. County Treasurer: Mary Jean Livermore related previous correspondence by Corporation Counsel Timmerman and former County Board Chair Richard Peterson had produced no results in making the Hudson landfill a zero value. The County pays the Hudson School District and Town of Hudson the share of unpaid real estate taxes. The valuation has decreased from $134,000 to $22,900 presently. Boche indicated he had called the Assessor but had not received a return call. Timmerman said a new Statute allows a County to protest an assessment. Motion by Oemichen, 2nd by Boche that be it resolved the Finance Committee authorize the Corporation Counsel to take whatever non - monetary actions necessary to reduce the value of the Hudson landfill parcel to zero, including, but not limited to, an appeal to the Wisconsin Board of Tax Appeals. Carried. Finance Director: Tax Deed Property. Rich Loney distributed a listing of current tax deed property which includes mostly small parcels or strips of land. Motion by Oemichen, 2nd by Brown that any parcels under one acre be appraised by County Board Chair and appropriate staff (County Clerk and Treasurer) and offered for purchase to adjacent landowners; parcels over one acre would go through the bidding process. Carried. Overdrawn Accounts: In order to prevent end of year "surprises," Loney will include any budget problems in his monthly report to the Committee. Loney noted some budgeted accounts are paid early in the year, such as Fair Board, West Cap, West Central Regional Planning and Economic Development. Investment of County Funds: Committee agreed Loney could investigate investment of funds with Dean Witter, Bank I of Madison or other investment firms to maximize the return to the County. County funds are now invested in the State Investment Fund at 5.6%- interest. Corporation Counsel: Timmerman requested a line item transfer of $545 from Travel and Staff Development to purchase legal books. Motion by Oemichen, 2nd by Boche to approve transfer of $545. Carried. Clerk of Court: Lori Meyer reported the KIDS program is scheduled to be on line March 1. There have been significant problems in other counties and hopefully these will be solved prior to March 1. There were 845 cases to enter and staff is busy entering in between their other office duties. Chair requested an update at the February meeting. Library: Chair Brown referred to January 4, 1996 minutes of the Library Board which made reference to a cost/benefit study for Library Books by Mail for consolidating all ten sites (rather than seven). He requested this be placed on the February Finance agenda. Announcements: Burke commented complaints have been received regarding transportation for mental committments and he will keep the Committee updated. Oemichen said the Milwaukee Journal will be doing an editorial commending St. Croix County for promoting the Tax Intercept Program which has been beneficial to Milwaukee County. Brown stated the Library Automation Committee will be named by the end of the week. Motion to adjourn by Oemichen, 2nd by Boche. Meeting adjourned at 'YkP. ?, LuVerne Burke Secretary N FINANCE COMMITTEE Regular Meeting January 9, 1996 Meeting called to order by Chair Brown at 9:05 a.m. Members present: Don Brown, Bill Oemichen, Bob Boche, LuVerne Burke. Absent: John Bradley. Staff present: Administrative Coordinator John Krizek, Finance Director Rich Loney, Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman, County Clerk Sue Nelson. Others present: Suprs. Dowd, Mortensen, Raymond and Bailey, members of the press and members of Hudson High School Government Class. Motion by Oemichen, 2nd by Boche to adopt the agenda. Carried. Next meeting is February 9, 1996. Motion by Burke, 2nd by Oemichen to approve the December 8 minutes. Carried. Vouchers: Chair Brown had reviewed the vouchers prior to the meeting. Motion by Boche, 2nd by Burke to approve payment. Carried. Judge's Report: Judge Lundell and Judge Needham appeared. Judge Lundell explained on October 1, 1995 the Small Claims limit increased to $5,000 per claim and this has increased contested cases. The Judges would like to implement a new process which involves the use of volunteers for the first mediation session to try. to resolve the issue or at least reduce the highly charged emotional level. The goal is to have this system up and running by March 1, 1996 and a training and information meeting for volunteers is scheduled for January 30. No funding is needed at this point except for required forms. This system would be used for non -attorney cases and the decision of the mediator is not binding. Clients have the option of having a Circuit Court Judge or Court Commissioner hear their case. This system is used in Eau Claire County and about 750 of the cases have been solved through mediation. If a settlement is reached on a voluntary basis, those involved are more likely to pay the claim. Judge Needham noted that contracts for five Guardian ad Litems are being issued. This contracting -out has held down GAL costs and the quality of the service remains good. Chair Brown commended both Judges for their innovative plan and excellent report. Administrative Coordinator: John Krizek distributed a Time Line chart for installation of a PBX system. A user group will review and modify the RFP and a recommendation should be made to Finance at the March 8 meeting. Krizek gave comparisons from a WI Taxpayer Alliance report (based on 1994 budget figures) on various costs to our county vs State means. For example Judicial costs in the county are $19.96 per capita vs the State mean of $16.88. We are higher in most areas due to lack of State Aid and our high per capita income. Dunn County receives $2.3 million in shared revenues compared to $996,000 received by St. Croix County. Krizek was contacted by the Humane Society in regard to excess dog fund monies. There has not been time to do a survey of Towns but comments from Town Officials indicate they want to run their own business. Krizek suggested the Humane Society attend the Towns' Association meeting on January 25. Krizek and Loney are working on a survey to determine if the Nursing Home will need a County subsidy due to low census (census was 100 on January 1). On July 1, 1996 we may have to decrease the number of licensed beds or take a cut in rate. Burke, Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, said the Nursing Home is not losing money yet and cut backs are being made as much as possible. Liability Settlements: Krizek reported a recent settlement of $220,000 to a truck driver involved with a highway vehicle. The Highway Dept. is reponsible to reimburse the liability fund the $100,000 deductible. The State cap for vehicle accidents is $250,000 and for personal injury the cap is $50,000. Recently an arbitrator awarded $54,000 to a jail inmate who was injured by fellow prisoners. The County is appealing the amount over the cap. Both these incidents took place in 1992 and much more emphasis has been given to safety programs. Perch Lake Appraisal: Planning and Development committee representative Ron Raymond, Planning Director Dave Fodroczi and County Planner Ellen Denzer were present. Raymond advised that $3500 was spent for an appraisal but this appraisal was disappointing. The owners of this Perch Lake property would like to sell to the County and keep the area for public use. The assessed value is approximately $240,000 and the appraisal was $160,000. Meetings were held between the Planning and Development Committee, Assessor and Appraiser but no agreement was reached. Raymond requested $3500 to get a second appraisal. People who were present from the Sports Alliance, Town of Somerset, Town of St. Joseph, and County employees were introduced and made comments in favor of the county's purchase of this property. Chair Brown indicated the Finance committee carries out the policy of the County Board and there seems to be confusion on the value of the land. Committee recommended this issue be presented to the County Board for full discussion. Computer Services: Director Bruce Callen and Computer Advisory Committee Ron Raymond presented the Long Range Plan. Callen advised this plan does not commit the County Board to future 6