HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 11-06-07 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2007 — 9:00 A.M.
St. Croix County Government Center - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
INVOCATION: *Pastor Kevin Morris, First Baptist Church, New Richmond, Wisconsin
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR REPORT
REVIEW OF AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA
(Unless separation of an item is requested, all will be adopted in one motion.)
1. Minutes of Previous Session September 18, 2007
2. Date of NextMeeting December 18, 2007at9:00 a.m.
3. Rezonings *None
4. Mileage and Per Diem
APPOINTMENTS:
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
1. 2008 Proposed Budget — 9:30 a.m.
a. Presentation
b. Public Hearing (3 minutes per speaker)
C. Resolution Adopting 2008 Budget and Approving Other Expenditures
2. Resolution Approving County Aid Bridge Construction
3. Resolution Approving County Aid Construction and Maintenance During Calendar Year 2008
4. Resolution Approving New Positions to Begin in 2008
5. Resolution to Charge Back Municipalities Due to Incorrect Real Estate Taxes
6. Resolution Approving Reimbursement Due Listing Officials for Listing Dogs for 2007
7. Resolution Amending Rules and By -Laws of the Board of Supervisors — County Board Proceedings
Publishing
8. Resolution Supporting Continued State Reimbursement to Counties for Expenses for Wireless
Enhanced 911 Service
9. *Medical Examiner Situation
10. Resolution authorizing Nursing Home Proposal Review Committee to Meet in Closed Session
11. Resolution Supporting Change for Returning Federal Funds from Certified Public Expenditures of
County Nursing Homes
12. Nursing Home Operation and Disposition
COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Judicial Circuit Court Judges and Family Court
Commissioner (9:15 a.m.)
COUNTY CLERK'S REPORT OF CORRESPONDENCE AND REZONING REQUESTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS: *Ice cream will be served by the 4 -H during a break
ADJOURN
(Items may be taken in different order)
* Changes or Additions after the Preliminary Agenda ** Late Changes and Additions
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OFFICIAL - approved 12118107
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST.CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Regular Meeting November 6, 2007
Invocation given by Pastor Kevin Morris of the First Baptist Church in New Richmond, Wisconsin. Pledge of
Allegiance recited. Meeting called to order by Chair Malick at 9:00 a.m.
Roll call: 29 present; 2 absent - Supr. Caflisch and Supr. Borup
Administrative Coordinator Report: Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting reported the State Supreme
Court Justices were in St. Croix County last week and conducted hearings for two days and participated in the
swearing in of Heather Wolske to the Bar at the Government Center before family and friends. Veteran Service
Officer Lorin Sather submitted his retirement and the process of replacing him is underway.
Review of Agenda: The Judges will not be giving their annual report today.
Consent Agenda: Motion by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Ruetz to adopt the consent agenda approving the
September 18, 2007 County Board proceedings, setting the next County Board meeting for December 18, 2007; and
approving mileage and per diem for September 2007 in the amount of $7,669.95. Carried unanimously.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
1. 2008 Proposed Budget - 9:30 a.m. Chair Malick reviewed the process for the budget hearing.
a. Presentation. Finance Committee Chair Krueger, Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting and
Finance Director Michelle Pietrick presented the 2008 proposed budget. Supr. Krueger indicated on October 26
the State budget determined a levy limit set at 3.86% or net new construction increase, whichever is more, with
other exclusions from the levy limit. The 2007 total equalized value is $8,604,072,400; total change in equalized
value is $271,879,000 up 3.26 %. The proposed 2008 levy is $25,208,461. The Finance Committee proposed an
operating levy increase of $902,070 up 3.86 %. Library levy and state aid bridge levy are now outside the State levy
limit. Levy outside the levy limit increases $785,713 to $936,713 for a total overall levy increase of $1,687,783 or
up 7.175 %. The mill rate projects at $3.05 per $1,000, or an increase of just over $.11 per $1,000 of property
valuation. Supr. Krueger presented budget issues, concerns and realities, including new or upgraded positions,
applied fund balances, creation of ADRC, chiller replacement, overall increase in workers compensation, and late
State budget left levy limit determination. Positive budget realities include the nursing home net operations
decrease, employee health insurance premium decrease, Health and Human Services (HHS) levy decrease, liability
insurance increases slowing, and county's bond rating improved from Al to Aa3 in 2007. Surplus applied includes
$67,656 from Land and Water Conservation for timber sales, HHS surplus in the amount of $949,991 and general
fund for operations of $1,079,558. Personnel positions in the proposed budget were reviewed totaling $1.2 million.
Borrowing is being contemplated for a network storage device in IT $75,000; Government Center HVAC
replacement $1,127,601, and Emergency Communications base station in the amount of $142,000 - totaling
$1,344,601. Proposed library funding is 71% of eligible cost which results in an increase of $64,124. Sales tax
revenues are lagging in 2007 with a projected $300,000 shortfall. Supr. Krueger highlighted negotiations with four
AFSCME groups, Springsted process changes, ADRC and nursing home operations trends. Krueger thanked
Department Heads and Finance Committee for their budget work.
Supr. Awsumb asked if ADRC goes through will there be corresponding position reductions. Whiting stated one
could be hopeful of a reduction. Supr. Awsumb asked if revenues are projected for the next couple of years.
Whiting stated there are no revenue projections for future years. Supr. Awsumb noted foreclosure increases in the
county and requested projections for revenues in the next couple years. Supr. Awsumb asked if bids for health
savings accounts have been considered. Chair Malick stated the Finance Committee has not approached that yet.
Supr. Struemke expressed concerns regarding the number of new position requests. He stated this budget sets up
for a significant borrowing amount next year.
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Supr. Raymond asked what the commitment to fund the ADRC program is and how much will it cost in the future.
Health and Human Services Director Fred Johnson explained ADRC is a melding of long term support and aging
functions. The County Board approved the county completing the application process for the funding. Johnson
explained the county passed a resolution to participate in Long Term Care Reform with the understanding it has a
fiscal impact and eliminates wait lists; as a pre- requisite the county must have an ADRC set up. Johnson's
understanding is the funding would continue for the county to process ADRC but cannot tell what the increase will
be in subsequent years. Whiting confirmed the $632,000 shows up on expense and revenue side of the budget.
Supr. Standafer noted local units of government are forced to levy to the maximum because it sets the base for next
year in which the law states we will only have a 2% of the new base. He is opposed to levy limits and encourages
local government responsibilities.
b. Public Hearing (3 minutes per speaker) Malick declared the public hearing open at 10:56 a.m.
Union Officer Kim Dupre spoke emphasizing the need to fulfill the governmental mission and commit to keep the
county nursing home for the next 100 years. Malick closed the public hearing at 11:02 a.m.
Break 11:06 a.m. Present: Rachael Wantz, Jeremy Warwick, 4 -H ambassadors and Nancy Burman, 4 -H leader for
St. Croix County. Each ambassador and the leader described what 4 -H has done for them. They invited
Supervisors to have a dish of ice cream during the break. Reconvened at 11:20 a.m.
C. Resolution #30(2007) Adopting 2008 Budget and Approving Other Expenditures. Motion by
Supr. Standafer, 2nd by Supr. Wentz to move the 2008 proposed budget forward to the floor. Supr. Norton -
Bauman asked for approval of items 2, 3 and 4 on the agenda before adoption of budget.
Supr. Awsumb asked for review of eight new positions relative to the other position requests including: Assistant
Corporation Counsel, three Emergency Communications positions, HHS Program Aide, HHS Financial Assistant,
HHS Clerk Typist, HHS Day Services Activity Aide and HHS Public Health Nurse. It was noted the Emergency
Communications positions are considered an exchange for overtime costs.
Supr. Marzolf asked if the resolutions to be subsequently voted on in an order that predicated any changes in those
resolution, they could either be voted in favor of or against the passage of the budget.
Supr. Krueger stated the total of new positions on the levy for Assistant Corporation Counsel, HHS Financial
Assistant, HHS Clerk Typist, HHS Day Services Activity Aide and HHS Public Health Nurse total $277,263 in the
2008 budget for wages and benefits.
Motion by Supr. Awsumb, 2nd by Supr. Habhegger to eliminate the five new positions which include: Assistant
Corporation Counsel, HHS Financial Assistant, HHS Clerk Typist, HHS Day Services Activity Aide and HHS
Public Health Nurse. Discussion regarding support for the HHS Financial Assistant and Clerk Typist positions
which are currently outsourced. In response to Supr. Cranmer's request regarding same mill rate, Pietrick stated the
county would need to reduce the levy and expenses by $901,422. Supr. Awsumb confirmed his motion did not
include a reduction to the levy. Roll call vote: Yes: 15; No: 14 (voting no: Bum, B. Hurtgen, J. Hurtgen, Dowd,
Mehls, King, Wentz, Ruetz, Marzolf, Rebholz, Standafer, Malick, Leonard, Krueger. Motion passes.
Supr. Raymond left at 11:51.
Motion by Supr. Struemke, 2nd by Supr. Awsumb to remove Maintenance Utility Worker position from the
proposed budget. Supr. Struemke asked for the actual cost of converting this position from part-time to fulltime.
Pietrick stated the new position with fringes is estimated at $53,000, less $10,500 with the removal of the part-time
weekend custodian position resulting in additional cost of $42,556. Supr. Struemke suggested keeping the part-time
position. Art Tobin explained the position will reduce overtime, better address needs at the Government Center,
HHS and Baldwin Ag- Center. Tobin stated there was $12,000 in overtime in the Building Services 2007 budget.
There are currently 16 Building Services positions. Tobin explained the need for window replacement in the
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Nursing Home and energy savings with the replacements. Roll call vote; Yes — 8; No — 20 (Voting yes: Grant,
Habhegger, Mortensen, Awsumb, Struemke, Norton - Bauman, Troyer, and Luckey). Motion failed.
Supr. Luckey asked if a sunset clause was considered to be added to the resolution for any of the new positions as
this has been done in the past. Motion by Supr. Luckey, 2nd by Supr. Struemke to have positions with outside
sources sunset if the money ceases to exist and they be reconsidered at that time. The motion puts a sunset on the
HHS Program Aide, HHS Chemical Counselor, HHS Economic Support Specialist and Planning and Zoning
Planner. Supr. Habhegger stated the Planner does not get hired until bridge project starts and when finished the
Planner is done. Carried unanimously.
Supr. Cranmer clarified one -half of the public health nurse position was going to be funded by the county levy and
one -half from ADRC funds. He assumes the ADRC half would still be enforced and the other half from the county
levy from the previous motion eliminating this position would still remain. Chair Malick clarified that approval of
that position was withdrawn by that vote. Motion by Supr. Cranmer, 2nd by Supr. Norton - Bauman that one -half of
the public health nurse position in HHS be funded by the ADRC funds still remain. Chair Malick stated this is a
motion to reconsider and confirmed the motion would reinstate the half position with the ADRC funds when
available. Chair Malick confirmed with Suprs. Cranmer and Norton - Bauman the motion is a motion to reconsider
with respect to the public health nurse position and if approved by a majority, then the Board will debate the
position. Carried.
Pietrick confirmed eliminating the position did not eliminate the money. Supr. Cranmer indicated his intention is a
yes vote gives HHS Board the flexibility what it wants to do. Supr. Wentz indicated the HHS Board feels a county
employee gives more continuation of care. Motion by Supr. Cranmer, 2nd by Supr. Norton - Bauman to amend the
motion to include a sunset clause so the position would sunset if the State, at some future date, did not supply the
necessary funding for the halftime position. Carried by voice vote.
Discussion regarding the new vehicle registration fee which is entirely devoted to the County Highway Department
budget. Chair Malick stated the registration fee estimated to be $695,000 goes to the Highway Department in
addition to the 2.475% in general levy and the bridge levy is not counted against county levy limits.
Supr. Awsumb noted the increase to the amount charged to HHS for maintenance which is 180% more than last
year and requested a recap plus a 39% line item increase overall. Pietrick stated the accounting methodology
changed because the Building Services' Department is responsible for all maintenance related to buildings in
Hudson, New Richmond and Baldwin. Previously those charges were accounted for in the HHS budget. Now the
expenses have been recorded in the Building Services budget and offsets the amount in the Nursing Home and HHS
funds which is being recovered by Building Services for those buildings. This is a true reflection of Building
Services expenses. Pietrick stated the 35% increase includes chiller which was originally submitted at $450,000.
Chair Malick confirmed the amendments do not change what is levied to the taxpayers. Roll call vote on the
motion adopting the 2008 budget and approving other expenditures as amended. Roll call vote Yes: 26; No — 2
(voting no — Struemke and Troyer). Supr. Krueger thanked the Finance Committee and staff. Applause.
2. Resolution #31(2007) Approving County Aid Bridge Construction under Section 81.38 of the
Statutes. Motion by Supr. King, 2nd by Supr. Peterson to approve. This resolution approves levying a tax of
$104,750.00 for county aid in the construction of bridges. Roll call vote: Yes — 28; No: 0. Carried unanimously.
3. Resolution #32(2007) Approving County Aid Road Construction and Maintenance During Calendar
Year 2008. Motion by Supr. King, 2nd by Supr. Grant to approve. This resolution approves levying a tax on all
property in St. Croix County for various highway work in 2008 as described in the resolution in the amount of
$3,858,955. Roll call vote: Yes: 27; No — 1 (voting no — Struemke). Carried.
4. Resolution #33(2007) Approving New Positions to Begin in 2008. Motion by Supr. Krueger, 2nd by
Supr. Wentz to approve as amended above. Roll call vote: Yes - 24; No — 4 (voting no — Struemke, Norton -
Bauman, Standafer, Malick). Carried.
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5. Resolution #34(2007) to Charge Back Municipalities Due to Incorrect Real Estate Taxes. Motion by
Supr. Krueger, 2nd by Supr. Standafer to approve. Wisconsin Statute 75.25(2) provides if a county has settled with
a municipality for unpaid taxes later found to have been incorrectly assessed, the county clerk can charge back the
incorrect taxes to the respective municipality wherein such lands are situated in the clerk's next apportionment of
county taxes. Carried unanimously.
6. Resolution #35(2007) Approving Reimbursement Due Listing Officials for Listing Dogs for 2007.
Motion by Supr. Krueger, 2nd by Supr. Wentz to approve. This resolution approves amounts due each listing
official who submitted a listing of dogs owned or kept within its boundaries. Carried unanimously.
7. Resolution #36(2007) Amending Rules and By -Laws of the Board of Supervisors of St. Croix County,
Wisconsin County Board Proceedings — Publishing. Motion by Supr. King, 2nd by Supr. Rebholz to approve.
This resolution amends the rules and bylaws specifying publication of the County Board proceedings after approval
at the next County Board meeting. Supr. Awsumb suggested preserving tapes of the meeting for a period longer
than one year. Chair Malick referred this to the Administration Committee to report back with a proposal regarding
retention of tapes. Carried unanimously.
8. Resolution #37(2007) Supporting Continued State Reimbursement to Counties for Expenses for
Wireless Enhanced 911 Service. Motion by Supr. Mehls, 2nd by Supr. Speer to approve. This resolution supports
legislation to maintain the surcharge as a funding source to provide and maintain the wireless enhanced 911 system.
Carried unanimously.
9. Medical Examiner Situation. Medical Examiner Casey Swetlik was present. Chair Malick confirmed a
letter of resignation was submitted with an effective date of August, 2007. Swetlik confirmed that he wishes to
continue as the county's Medical Examiner. Malick reminded board members of the Multiple Reporting Policy
recently approved. Motion by Supr. Mehls, 2nd by Supr. Speer to approve Casey Swetlik to simultaneously hold the
position of St. Croix County Medical Examiner and Emergency Communications Director. Timmerman stated the
motion should also include a provision to withdraw his letter of resignation. Supr. Mehls and Supr. Speer agreed to
amend the motion to allow withdrawal of Swetlik's letter of resignation as Medical Examiner. Supr. Speer noted
the Public Protection Committee took action that the Medical Examiner's resignation was "moot point ". Roll call
vote — Yes — 20; No — 8 (voting no — B. Hurtgen, Peavey, Habhegger, Awsumb, Struemke, Troyer, Cranmer,
Malick). Carried.
10. Resolution #38(2007) Authorizing Nursing Home Proposal Review Committee to Meet in Closed
Session. Motion by Supr. Wentz, 2nd by Supr. Krueger to approve. This resolution authorizes the Nursing Home
Proposal Review Committee to conduct meetings in closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statute §19.85(l)(e) to
negotiate with any entities the final terms of proposals for the future operation of the Nursing Home. Discussion
regarding status of negotiations. Carried.
11. Resolution Supporting Change for Returning Federal Funds from Certified Public Expenditures of
County Nursing Homes. Motion by Supr. Wentz, 2nd by Supr. Bum to approve. This resolution supports returning
all Federal funds received from the Certified Public Expenditures of county nursing homes to the county nursing
homes in order to bring direct tax relief to the citizens of St. Croix County. Supr. Marzolf suggested wording
changes. Motion by Supr. Marzolf, 2nd by Supr. Wentz to delete the word "have" in the last line of the sixth
Whereas; and in the Now Therefore Be It Resolved" paragraph delete "returning" in the second line and replace it
with "recovering ", and insert "to then" between "homes" and "be" in the third line. Supr. Standafer asked if the
resolution was reviewed by Corporation Counsel. Chair Malick suggested this resolution be referred back to HHS.
Motion by Standafer, 2nd by Krueger to table until retuned by the HHS Board. Carried unanimously.
12. Nursing Home Operation and Disposition. HHS Director Fred Johnson gave a status report regarding
the Nursing Home Proposal Review Committee. Johnson stated the subcommittee met on October IO and 24 and
the next meeting is November 16 They will likely have a closed session with three difference vendors — Health
Dimensions, Ecumen, and Presbyterian Homes. Supr. Struemke asked if proposals could be distributed to all
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Supervisors. Johnson stated Attorney Pertell prepared a template providing an outline of preliminary terms and
conditions and if negotiations are final and complete he anticipates putting together a document for Supervisors.
Johnson added meeting discussions are in the subcommittee's minutes. Supr. Norton -Bauman asked if CCH is
reentering discussions. Johnson indicated nothing formal has come forth.
Supr. Struemke requested the Administrative Coordinator recommend a committee be formed of all committees and
boards to prioritize, rank and categorize all the programs the county runs. How does that happen? Supr. Struemke
also asked what the cost reduction would be, because the Nursing Home runs two levels, if operations went to the
lower level only. Chair Malick referred the categorizing and ranking question to the Administrative Committee and
potential cost saving of moving the Nursing Home operation to the lower level to the HHS Board for return no later
than the second meeting from today (January 2008).
Supr. Jordan left at 1:30 p.m.
Committee and Department Reports:
Judicial Circuit Court Judges, Family Court Commissioner: Deferred.
County Clerk's Report of Correspondence and Rezoning Requests: County Clerk Cindy Campbell read the
rezoning hearings scheduled for Planning and Zoning Committee: Ruby Schiefelbein, Ag to Ag -Res., Town of
Somerset; Donna Summerfield, Ag to Ag -Res, Town of Somerset; Lowell and Virginia Rivard Family Trust, Ag to
Ag -Res, Town of Somerset; Wisconsin DNR/Gary and Linda Pulford, Conservancy to Ag -Res, Town of Somerset.
Rezoning applications submitted but not scheduled for a hearing: Eric Larson, Ag -Res to Commercial, Town of
Hammond and Thomas Pietsch, Ag to Ag -Res, Town of Cylon.
Announcements: Chair Malick noted at the WCA conference the idea of involving high school students to have a
better understanding of county government was suggested. He suggested sending an open -ended invitation to high
schools to send two students per month and invite them to the County Board meeting to lead the pledge of
allegiance and sit next to the Supervisor who represents them.
Supr. Krueger suggested review of budget process be included in the goal review session in April.
Adjourn. 1:35 p.m.
Clarence W. Malick, Chair, St. Croix County Board of Supervisors
Cindy Campbell, County Clerk
Copies of resolutions, ordinances and Department Head reports may be obtained at the St. Croix County Clerk's
office.
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