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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance 01-09-95ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Robert In, Boche, Chair St. Croix County Board FROM: Donald Brown, Chair COMMITTEE TITLE: FINANCE DATE: January 9, 1995 TIME: 9*00 A.M. LOCATION: St. Croix County CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Center Government ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: February 9, 1995 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Review of Vouchers NEW BUSINESS: 1. Administrative Coordinator's Report A. Offer to Purchase Hammond Building B. Offer to Lease Hammond Building 2. Finance Director's Report A. Update on Credit Card System B. Phone System Update C. Depositing of Checks * D. Investment Policy 3. County Clerk's Report A. Bid Opening on Tax Deed Property 4. Judge's Report 5. Treasurer's Report 6. Maintenance Report 7. Personnel Report 8. Computer Services 9. Clerk of Court's Report 10. Corporation Counsel Report 11. Report on Accounts Receivable 12. Claim of Travis Waller vs. St - Waste Management 9:30 A.M. Croix County ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE: POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNEMENT (Agenda )ATE: 12/29/94 COPIES TO: County County County not necessarily presented in this order) Board Office Clerk Departments ORRECTIONS *ADDITIONS/CHANGES/C News Media/Notice Board County Board FINANCE COMMITTEE Regular Meeting January 9, 1995 Meeting called to order by Chair Brown at 9:05 a.m. Guests and press were welcomed. Roll call: Chair Brown, Wm. Oemichen, Robert Boche and Tom O'Connell. Absent: John Bradley (excused). Staff present: Administrative Coordinator John Krizek, Finance Director Rich Loney, Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman and County Clerk Sue Nelson. Others present: Supr. Jack Dowd and members of the press. Motion by Boche, 2nd by Oemichen to adopt the agenda. Carried. Next meeting scheduled for February 9. Motion by Oemichen, 2nd by Boche to approve the December 1994 minutes. Carried. Vouchers: Loney and Krizek had reviewed the bills and found no problems. Motion by O'Connell, 2nd by Boche to approve payment of the vouchers. Finance Director: Rich Loney is proceeding with a credit card system which should be in place by the end of February. He is checking into the possibility of running long distance calls through the Human Services switch because long distance rates are cheaper. More information presented later. Loney requested a review of direct deposit of checks for employees. In a study done two years ago, it was not feasible. Chair Brown stated if it is in the best interest of the county, it would be fine to have direct deposit. A study of direct deposit should be done in order to have answers when questions are asked. Loney will work on formalizing an Investment Policy as we need to be cautious with County funds. More information available in March. Administrative Coordinator: John Krizek announced a labor settlement had been reached with Law Enforcement near the end of December. All back pay checks have been issued. No County Labor Attorney or Union Representative was present during the last session and Krizek suggests we use this system in future negotiations. Krizek noted incredible changes are being proposed by Legislators. Shared revenue is proposed to decrease by 50. Youth Aids may go down from $519,000 to $283,000 using the criteria of children in poverty. St. Croix County has 1,000 children in poverty while Milwaukee has 60,000. Oemichen reported a proposal whereby farmland would be taxed on use value only which would decrease farmers' property taxes. This could mean nonfarm owners would have a big increase in their property taxes. Krizek said Counties may see Revenue Caps. Elimination of intermediate care would affect Nursing Home aids and revenue. There would likely be an increase of community based residential facilities. Offer to Purchase Hammond Building: Edina Realtor Roger Hetchler presented an offer from Michael Lundberg. Offer was $150, 000 cash, $1,000 down, contingent on financing for 30 days and contingent on obtaining a satisfactory tenant for 120 days. Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman had reviewed the offer and was concerned about the 120 day rental contingency. Lundberg agreed to lower this to 60 days and would like 500 of the building rented to meet this contingency. This building was appraised at $220,000 and has been empty since June of 1993. Attorney Steve Dunlap indicated he was working with a company in Ohio that would like to lease this building and would be willing to work out an arrangement with Lundberg. Hetchler noted interest has been expressed from other parties but offers to date have not supported the asking price. Lundberg agreed to offer 30 days to obtain financing and having tenant for at least 50% of the facility. Motion by Boche to delay this issue until the next Finance meeting on February 9. No second; motion died. Chair tabled this discussion for 30 minutes. Krizek continued and reported on the Court Staffing Guideline recommended by the State Supreme Court which would be costly to counties. Examples - requiring two bailiffs per Courtroom and an increase in court clerks and law clerks. A hearing is scheduled for January 17, 1995 and Krizek has sent a letter opposing these guidelines. Transportation aids are cut 2.7% in 1995 with another decrease in 1996. The Elderly and Handicapped Transportation program is cut and the Nutrition program may be based on income level in order to receive a free meal. Waste Management Accounts Receivable: Planning Director Dave Fodroczi distributed the report which showed Stromme Sanitation was paid in full and Johnson Sanitation owing $16,303.53 and Olson Sanitation with $40,536.67 outstanding. No payment or application for licensing has been received to date. Fodroczi will discuss this matter with the Waste Management Committee on January 12. Chair Brown thanked Fodroczi for his efforts in collecting these payments. Maintenance: Maintenance Lead Worker Bob Koehnen requested a full tI me person and part time weekend person for maintenance in the jail. Currently a custodian works 16 hours per week in the jail but is unable to do all the required work. Koehnen said double bunking will increase the workload. Sheriff Bader had agreed to pay the cost of this from the increased revenue from double bunking. Jail Captain Karen Humphrey stated jailers are only required to clean up immediate messes and not do general cleaning. Motion by Oemichen, 211d by Boche to refer this request to the Public Protection Committee. Carried. Boche asked if compliance had been made to the problems cited by DLHR. Koehnen replied that guards had been placed on the grinders and protective eyewear was available. The other problems need to be addressed by a County policy. Amended Offer on Hammond Building: Mike Lundberg offered $165,000, $1,000 down remainder at closing, and after approval by County Board 30 days in which to obtain financing, and closing on or before March 15, 1995. After concern was expressed on low downpayment, Lundberg offered $5,000 down. Krizek recommended referral of sale to the County Board due to maintenance costs for upkeep and getting the property back on the tax roll. Motion by Oemichen, 2nd by O'Connell to recommend sale of the Hammond building for $165,000 with $5,000 down with contingency wording in the amended contract to the County Board. Roll call vote: Boche yes, Oemichen yes, O'Connell yes, Brown yes, Bradley absent. Motion carried. Clerk of Court: Lori Meyer presented a proposal from Transworld which would attempt to collect unpaid fines and fees to a fee of $7.25 per case with a minimum of 1000 cases over two years. With a 5o reduction from WCA, the estimated cost would be $6887. She estimated $500,000 is uncollected at this time. Meyer would like to include other agencies such as Child Support in this plan. Child Support Administrator Lynn Holmes was called in to reply to this request. Holmes explained the case load has not been loaded on the KIDS program at this time and you must provide a correct address in order for Transworld to send collection notices. Child Support payments collected in 1994 in St. Croix County totaled $3.5 million. The State hires a collection agency for unpaid child support. Door County hired Transworld and $10,000 was collected but Holmes did not have details on cost of collection or the total amount outstanding. Committee agreed not to include the Child Support agency in this contract. Motion by Boche, 2nd by Oemichen to sign with Transworld for $7.25 per case for 1000 cases over two years with a 5% discount up to a total of $7000. Carried. County Clerk: Bids were opened on advertised tax deed property. Motion by O'Connell, 2nd by Oemichen to accept the bid of 3 $12,865.00 for the Otto Gruseman property in the Town of St. Joseph by Kevin Erlitz. Carried. Motion by Boche, 2nd by Brown to accept the bid of $33,330 by Larry and Julie Smith for Lot 41 in Hazel Court, City of Hudson. Carried. Sue Nelson reported $1140 had been collected in 1994 for conference room rentals. Signs have been posted stating persons renting the Community Room are reponsible for food and beverage spills and clean up costs will be billed to them. Nelson mentioned that Committee Chair Brown had donated funds for refreshments for the Committee and guests and press in attendance. Travis Waller Claim: This is a claim against St. Croix County Clerk of Court and Clerk of Court Assistant regarding release of sealed information. WIMMIC recommends denial. Motion by Oemichen, 2nd by Brown to deny claim. Carried. Chair Brown thanked the committee members and staff for their fine efforts in regard to improving county government. Motion tb adjourn by O'Connell, 2nd by Boche 11*15 : .m. Z -� Ihomas'`O' Conne" ' Secretary Meeting adjourned at