HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 04-24-09 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2009 — 8:30 A.M.
St. Croix County Government Center — Community Room (Lower Level)
1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
1. Update County Situational Analysis
a. Financial Status
b. Comp Plan Results
2. Update on 2008 Strategic Initiatives
3. Discussion of Committee Structure and Organization under a 19 Member Board
ADJOURN
Official — approved 5/19/09
PROCEEDINGS OF THE
ST.CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Goal Review April 24, 2009
Meeting called to order by Chair Rebholz at 8:30 a.m. Rebholz thanked everyone for spending time
working on the goals set in 2008.
ROLL CALL: 26 present; absent and excused: Supr. Raebel, Supr. Luckey, Supr. Tommerdahl;
Supr. Peavey, Supr. Horne, Supr. Demulling. Supr. Cranmer arrived at 8:36 a.m.
Department Heads Present: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, Merlin Blaisdell, Bob Heise, Dave Fodroczi,
John Shilts, Tim Ramberg, Fred Johnson, Casey Swetlik, Art Tobin, Chuck Whiting, Pete Kling,
Cheryl Slind, Beth Pabst, Katy Kapaun, Jack Colvard, Michelle Pietrick, Tom Boron, Brad Beckman,
Lori Meyer, Kristi Severson, Tammy Funk, Cathy Halverson, Greg Timmerman, and Cindy Campbell.
Opening remarks by facilitator Pete Kling of the UW Extension office.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
1. Update County Situational Analysis. Finance Director Michelle Pietrick reviewed 2008
pre -audit financials including revenues, expenditures and budgeted items. Pietrick stated the ending
fund balances do not reflect spendable resources. The General Fund maintains 25% as a cushion. The
General Fund encompasses a number of departments. Pietrick noted Planning and Zoning and
Register of Deeds departments are below budget because of the down swing in the economy.
Expenditures were also down in those departments. Review of revenues and the Capital Improvements
Fund which currently includes bond proceeds, proceeds from land sales to Wisconsin Department of
Transportation and Department of Natural Resources.
a. Financial Status Pietrick reported the overall financial status for St. Croix County
looks good compared to surrounding counties but 2010 will be challenging. Pietrick reported
delinquent real estate taxes are up. Discussion regarding consideration by the legislature to reduce the
penalty on delinquent taxes from 1% to .5% per month. Supr. Standafer stated he is opposed to this
and asked for the opinion of others. Discussion. Supr. Standafer suggested consideration of a
resolution to take an official position on this issue and bring it to the Administration Committee and
then to County Board in May.
b. Comprehensive Planning Public Opinion Survey Report, 2008 - Plan Results
Planning and Zoning Director Dave Fodroczi reviewed the survey results. Fodroczi indicated results
of the survey show St. Croix residents are generally pleased with the quality of life here. The factors
that induce people to live in St. Croix County are the small town atmosphere and the proximity of the
Twin Cities. Being near family and friends and economic opportunities are also important reasons
they have chosen to live in St. Croix County. Highest rated public services and facilities were county
office facilities, county parks and public schools. There was positive feedback regarding the current
road network meeting the needs of St. Croix County citizens. A majority of respondents agreed there
is a need for more senior housing, single family housing and affordable housing in St. Croix County.
The number one concern is reducing property taxes. Other issues were to preserve rural and small
town character, protect water quality, promote renewable energy production, and minimize urban
sprawl. Timmerman requested a breakdown of those concerned regarding reducing taxes and how they
April 24, 2009
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felt about the programs offered. Fodroczi said they could get that data from the university. Fodroczi
stated the results are typical for circumstances, demographics, and economics.
2. Update on 2008 Strategic Initiatives. Kling reviewed the 2008 strategic issues and stated he
would like to develop 2009 initiatives by the end of the meeting. Reports were given by various
departments. Initiatives one through seven were reviewed. Kling indicated there will not be enough
time to go through each initiative and suggested each department work with their contact committee
and report status through the minutes to Whiting.
3. Discussion of Committee Structure and Organization under a 19 Member Board. Whiting
reported an option for consideration has been distributed to supervisors and department heads. He
noted this is an opportunity we don't always get regardless of how people feel about the results of the
election to reduce the size of the County Board. Comments by supervisors and department heads.
Whiting stated this will go back to the Administration Committee to continue discussions.
Supr. Crammer announced he has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease. He hopes to complete
his term on the board but realizes he is getting weaker as time goes by.
Blaisdell announced there are reserve and guard units leaving for Kuwait later this week and guard
units from New Richmond and River Falls will be in Kuwait by next Wednesday.
Meeting adjourned at 12:39 p.m.
Roger Rebholz, Chair, St. Croix County Board of Supervisors
Cindy Campbell, County Clerk
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