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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Protection 07-23-08 t NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE JULY 23, 2008 - 8:30AM ST. CROIX COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER ROOM 1281 1101 CARMICHAEL ROAD HUDSON, WISCONSIN CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING — August 5, 2008 NEW BUSINESS: BUDGET ONLY: 1. Medical Examiner 2. Child Support 3. District Attorney and Victim /Witness 4. Sheriff's Department and Jail a. Request for transfer of funds from the Jail Assessment Fund for video conferencing equipment* ADJOURN (Items may be taken in different order) ** Additions /Changes /Corrections Submitted by: Julie Speer Date: July 18, 2008; amended July 21, 2008 Copies to: County Board office News Media County Clerk Committee Members Respective Department Heads Items for County Board approval must be submitted to the County Clerk's office by Wednesday morning preceding a County Board meeting. 7/21/2008 1:40 PM Page 2 of 3 Meeting called to order at 8:33am by Chairperson Speer. Next regular meeting will be August 5th at 8:30am. The September meeting will be on the 10 at 8:30am. Motion by Borup, 2 nd by Leonard to adopt the agenda. Carried unanimously. BUDGET 2009 MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT: Swetlik presented 2009 Medical Examiner budget proposals and explained aspects of each. Swetlik noted the way his office is now defined has changed compared to 2008 (now considered contract employees). Swetlik explained he targeted the autopsy item as the adjustment figure to get to the 5% and 10% budget proposals. Discussion regarding challenges of autopsy estimates. The committee commended Swetlik on his budget preparation. Motion by Borup, 2 nd by Larson to approve the proposed 2009 Medical Examiner's budget proposal number La. (0.30% decrease) as presented and proposal number 2.a. (5.28% decrease) to meet the Finance Committee directive for the 2009 budget and move them forward in the budget process. Carried unanimously. Discussion regarding the remaining submitted budget proposals; Swetlik explained all reductions were made in the autopsy category. Motion by Borup, 2 nd by Speer to approve budget proposal 3.a. as presented to reflect the 10% reduction directive. Carried unanimously. CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: Kapaun presented the 2009 proposed Child Support Department budget and outlined specific line items. Kapaun summarized it would mean staff reduction to meet the 5% and 10% budget directive; discussion regarding options for staff reduction. Rebholz left the meeting at 9:23am. Kapaun reported she is looking into getting the non - enforcement case load out of the system and explained she doubts this would happen in 2009 as it would require legislative change. The committee commended Kapaun on researching budget options. Discussion regarding the complications of the three -level budget process for departments. Motion by Borup, 2 nd by Larson to approve the 2009 Child Support Department proposal with the alternate budget at 95% and move it forward in the budget process. Carried unanimously. DISTRICT ATTORNEY /VICTIM WITNESS REPORT: District Attorney and Victim Witness 2009 proposed budgets were presented; Johnson outlined the process for budget preparation for both departments. Johnson explained his challenges with the 5% and 10% budget directives as his budget is almost entirely salaries; discussion regarding revenue sources and budget -cut effects on reimbursement. Johnson outlined discretionary item cuts; discussion regarding the 90% and 95% budget requirement; Johnson summarized he has no idea on how to get there explaining if he would lose staff they would not be able to process certain cases. Gustafson reported a 5 % -10% cut in the Victim Witness office would wipe out all the operating expenses and cut a staff person. Discussion regarding unpredictable expenses such as investigative services, expert witness fees, etc. Discussion regarding options for reducing expenses, Voca Grant funds, volunteer staff and union issues. Discussion regarding the definite budget directive; the committee members requested submission of the budgets at 5% and 10% and suggested also submitting a cautionary statement to the Finance Committee about the circumstances and the ramifications of not having a confident legal system. Discussion regarding researching other departments that are primarily staff and whether there are options to incorporate services from other departments. 8/4/2008 Page 3 of 3 a Jolnlson and Gustafson will provide revised budget proposals at the August 5 th meeting. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT /JAIL REPORT: Hillstead presented an authorization concerning a transfer from the Jail Assessment Fund in the amount of $14,573 for the purpose of installing video conferencing equipment. Motion by Larson, 2 nd by Gunderson to approve the transfer of no more than $15,000 from the Jail Assessment Fund for the purpose of purchasing and implementing video conferencing equipment. Carried unanimously. Speer requested the committee address the following: 1) a committee member being able to authorize transfers as necessary from the Jail Assessment Fund, Confiscated Acct and Drug Fund and the committee approving the transfer at the next meeting, and 2) a member of the committee having the ability to attend other committee meetings on behalf of the Public Protection Committee and receiving mileage and per diem. These items will be placed on the August 5, 2008 agenda. The 2009 proposed Jail budget was presented and specific line items were described and discussed. Hillstead reported they have not prepared the budget at the 5% and 10% rate yet because they are waiting for salary information. The 2009 proposed Sheriff Department budget was presented and specific line items were outlined and discussed. Hillstead reported the Court Security position will be effective and reported they are requesting a fulltime clerk position to continue with dictation/transcription implementation. Discussion regarding gasoline costs, the bid process and a possible county -wide consortium. Discussion regarding overtime costs, vehicle purchases /maintenance, laptops in squads, and options for cost reduction. Discussion regarding revenue and reduction in grants and state aid. Hillstead reported the Sheriff Department and Jail are one budget but two are prepared for convenience and they have the flexibility to transfer money back and forth if necessary; always a total budget at the end of the year. Hillstead summarized operating costs have been cut and he is submitting the most reasonable budget he can find. Hillstead will provide the 5% and 10% budget proposals for both the Sheriff's Department and the Jail at the August 5 th meeting. Meeting adjourned at 12:06pm. Cindy Leonard, Secretary Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary 8/4/2008 PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING July 23, 2008 BUDGET REVIEW Official Minutes MEMBERS PRESENT: Julie Speer, John Borup, Roger Larson and Cindy Leonard. Laura Gunderson - Tommerdahl arrived at 8:38am. Absent: None. STAFF PRESENT: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Chief Deputy John Shilts, Jail Captain Karen Humphrey, Accountant/Office Manager Mary Martell, Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik, District Attorney Eric Johnson, Office Manager Cathy Halverson, Victim Witness Coordinator Ann Gustafson, Child Support Director Katy Kapaun and Amy Geurkink. OTHERS PRESENT: County Board Chair Roger Rebholz. Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting arrived at 11:59am. Meeting called to order at 8:33am by Chairperson Speer. Next regular meeting will be August 5 th at 8:30am. The September meeting will be on the 10 at 8:30am. Motion by Borup, 2 by Leonard to adopt the agenda. Carried unanimously. BUDGET 2009 MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT: Swetlik presented 2009 Medical Examiner budget proposals and explained aspects of each. Swetlik noted the way his office is now defined has changed compared to 2008 (now considered contract employees). Swetlik explained he targeted the autopsy item as the adjustment figure to get to the 5% and 10% budget proposals. Discussion regarding challenges of autopsy estimates. The committee commended Swetlik on his budget preparation. Motion by Borup, 2 by Larson to approve the proposed 2009 Medical Examiner's budget proposal number La. (0.30% decrease) as presented and proposal number 2.a. (5.28% decrease) to meet the Finance Committee directive for the 2009 budget and move them forward in the budget process. Carried unanimously. Discussion regarding the remaining submitted budget proposals; Swetlik explained all reductions were made in the autopsy category. Motion by Borup, 2nd by Speer to approve budget proposal 3.a. as presented to reflect the 10% reduction directive. Carried unanimously. CHILD SUPPORT REPORT: Kapaun presented the 2009 proposed Child Support Department budget and outlined specific line items. Kapaun summarized it would mean staff reduction to meet the 5% and 10% budget directive; discussion regarding options for staff reduction. Rebholz left the meeting at 9:23am. Kapaun reported she is looking into getting the non - enforcement case load out of the system and explained she doubts this would happen in 2009 as it would require legislative change. -The committee commended Kapaun on researching budget options. Discussion regarding the complications of the three -level budget process for departments. Motion by Borup, 2 by Larson to approve the 2009 Child Support Department proposal with the alternate budget at 95% and move it forward in the budget process. Carried unanimously. DISTRICT ATTORNEY /VICTIM WITNESS REPORT: District Attorney and Victim Witness 2009 proposed budgets were presented; Johnson outlined the process for budget preparation for both departments. Johnson explained his challenges with the 5% and 10% budget directives as his budget is almost entirely salaries; discussion regarding revenue sources and budget -cut effects on reimbursement. Johnson outlined discretionary item cuts; discussion regarding the 90% and 95% budget requirement; Johnson summarized he has no idea on how to get there explaining if he would lose staff they would not be able to process certain cases. Gustafson reported a 5 % -10% cut in the Victim Witness office would wipe out all the operating expenses and cut a staff person. Discussion regarding unpredictable expenses such as investigative services, expert witness fees, etc. Discussion regarding options for reducing expenses, Voca Grant funds, volunteer staff and union issues. Discussion regarding the definite budget directive; the committee members requested submission of the budgets at 5% and 10% and suggested also submitting a cautionary statement to the Finance Committee about the circumstances and the ramifications of not having a confident legal system. Discussion regarding researching other departments that are primarily staff and whether there are options to incorporate services from other departments. Johnson and Gustafson will provide revised budget proposals at the August 5 th meeting. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT /JAIL REPORT: Hillstead presented an authorization concerning a transfer from the Jail Assessment Fund in the amount of $14,573 for the purpose of installing video conferencing equipment. Motion by Larson, 2nd by Gunderson to approve the transfer of no more than $15,000 from the Jail Assessment Fund for the purpose of purchasing and implementing video conferencing equipment. Carried unanimously. Speer requested the committee address the following: 1) a committee member being able to authorize transfers as necessary from the Jail Assessment Fund, Confiscated Acct and Drug Fund and the committee approving the transfer at the next meeting, and 2) a member of the committee having the ability to attend other committee meetings on behalf of the Public Protection Committee and receiving mileage and per diem. These items will be placed on the August 5, 2008 agenda. The 2009 proposed Jail budget was presented and specific line items were described and discussed. Hillstead reported they have not prepared the budget at the 5% and 10% rate yet because they are waiting for salary information. The 2009 proposed Sheriff Department budget was presented and specific line items were outlined and discussed. Hillstead reported the Court Security position will be effective and reported they are requesting a fulltime clerk position to continue with dictation/transcription • implementation. Discussion regarding gasoline costs, the bid process and a possible county -wide consortium. Discussion regarding overtime costs, vehicle purchases /maintenance, laptops in squads, and options for cost reduction. Discussion regarding revenue and reduction in grants and state aid. Hillstead reported the Sheriff Department and Jail are one budget but two are prepared for convenience and they have the flexibility to transfer money back and forth if necessary; always a total budget at the end of the year. Hillstead summarized operating costs have been cut and he is submitting the most reasonable budget he can find. Hillstead will provide the 5% and 10% budget proposals for both the Sheriff's Department and the Jail at the August 5 th meeting. Meeting adjourned at 12:06pm. Cindy Leonard, Secretary Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary `tl)rrsverl.=larust 5, 2008