HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 12-18-01 ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
December 18, 2001 9:00 A.M.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Thomas Dorsey
INVOCATION: Pastor Jed Watson, First Congregational Church, Hammond
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
ANNOUNCEMENTS: United Way Recognition - Supr. Mehls
DATE OF NEXT SESSION: January 15, 2002 9:00 A.M.
APPOINTMENTS:
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR REPORT
OLD AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(Consideration and action on matters tabled, postponed or referred to
a committee at a previous meeting)
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Consideration of Nursing Home Options
2. Resolution Supporting Creation of a Technology Zone
*3. Resolution Authorizing Goal Setting Session for Board of
Supervisors
*4. Resolution to Submit a Recommendation from the Four Options for
the St. Croix County Nursing Home
COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS:
APPLICATIONS FILED FOR ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
FARMLAND PRESERVATION: David Afdahl Family Trust, Town of Pleasant
Valley
MILEAGE & PER DIEM REPORT
CORRESPONDENCE
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT
(The above agenda is not necessarily in order of presentations)
* Changes or Additions after the Preliminary Agenda
** Late Changes and Additions
Cdrre��
R.
County Board Minutes December 18, 2001
ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Regular Session December 18, 2001
Meeting called to order by Chair Tom Dorsey at 9:00 a.m. Pastor
Jed Watson, First Congregational Church, Hammond gave the
invocation. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll Call: 30 present, 1 absent and excused - Supr. Hoberg.
Chair Dorsey welcomed the guests and the press.
Motion by Supr. Berenschot, 2 by Supr. O'Connell to approve the
November 27 minutes. Carried. Motion by Supr. Malick, 2 by
Supr. Speer to adopt the agenda. Carried. Date of the next
session is January 15, 2001.
United Way Recognition: Supr. Mehls complimented United Way for
supporting many groups within the County. Six portable radios
for the (Emergency Communication Van were approved for purchase by
the County Board and the United Way will match this request by
sponsoring six more radios. Mehls introduced John Coughlin,
Executive Director, who in turn introduced United Way Board
members Vice President Karen Bailey, Jill Everson, Max Hansen and
Eric Johnson.
Coughlin noted over $40,000 has been allocated to various County
departments. Three defibrillators have been purchased. One was
used to save a New Richmond lady's life recently. He recommended
United Way have a seat on the Emergency Management Committee to
be in the loop when a disaster occurs. Applause.
Announcements: Supr. Standafer displayed a print titled "On
Freedom's Wing" by Rick Kelly featuring a flying eagle. Standafer
is selling tickets for the raffle with proceeds to the American
Cancer Society.
Administrative Coordinator: Chuck Whiting is working with
Personnel Director Deb Kathan and the Personnel Committee on
implementing the Springsted Personnel Study. No further word on
the State Budget and possible cuts. Whiting thanked the
Personnel Committee for the Employee Recognition Banquet held on
December 13.
The County will join the City of New Richmond in a review of
County farm land for a conceptual development plan with
Vierbicher and Associates. The Huber Facility Study is underway.
Personnel Committee will review a Health Insurance Administration
Policy approved by the Finance Committee. Whiting will take an
1
'County Board Minutes December 18, 2001
active role in performance evaluations and will contact Committee
Chairs.
Consideration of Nursing Home Options: Health and Human Services
Director John Borup, Nursing Home Administrator Carolyn Krieger,
Board Chair Robert Stephens, Accounting Supervisor Judy Ziegler,
Director of Nursing Kristi Tellijohn, Long Term Support
Coordinator Ron Lockwood, Social Services Director Lisa Leahy,
John Keefe and Sandy Hayes from Keefe Associates present.
Krieger and Ziegler outlined the cash balance status from 1992 to
the present. Balances were in the black until 1999 when the
Medicare funding changed and helped cause a $310,284 deficit cash
balance. Supr. Krueger pointed out the $932,000 net cash
decrease between 1998 and 1999 was mostly caused by a decrease in
cash revenues of $310,000, an increase in cash paid to employees
of $286,000 and other operating expenses increased $215,000. It
was not caused by an increase in accounts receivables.
The estimated cash balance for 2001 operations is ($130,930)
which is less than expected due to increased InterGovernmental
Transfer (IGT) payments.
Discussion: Supr. Irwin said with the farm rental and county
subsidy, there is a $2 million loss in 2000, not the $626,586 as
shown. Krieger said, as instructed, increased wages were not
included in the 2000 budget and this contributed to the deficit.
Supr. Bjerstedt asked what if IGT funds get cut back. Krieger
replied the funding should be o.k. until 2009. With State and
Federal funding there is never any certainty from month to month.
The Medicaid payment is way down ( -5% of median).
Borup commented labor costs are higher due to structure of the
building, 90% of residents use wheelchairs and ramps are used to
move residents. Supr. Horne said the County pays a higher hourly
wage and it is very expensive to run the home. Supr. Raymond
noted private homes cost less to run than Government homes.
Keefe said salary and fringe benefits are lower in for - profit
homes, the turn over rate is much higher which has an impact on
quality of care.
Krieger showed census graphs which indicate private pay is
decreasing because people are coming in older and have less
money. Supr. Swenson questioned if staffing is decreased when
census declines. Krieger replied level of care has increased so
staffing hasn't gone down with the census. There is a total of
2
County Board Minutes December 18, 2001
150 full and part time staff in the Nursing Home. Turn over is
fairly low.
Supr. Standafer noted the Keefe report gave a pessimistic future
for nursing homes. We have a declining elderly population which
will not change in the near future. Krieger said more people are
living in assisted living facilities. Hospitals release patients
sooner so more care is needed in the nursing home.
Supr. O'Connell stated Keefe should not have made a
recommendation in his study report. H &HS Chair Stephens said he
asked Keefe to make a recommendation and Supr. Wentz said we
should have a recommendation after spending $50,000.
Supr. Rose believed this is an industry under stress and there is
not enough information on selling, closing, remaining status quo,
evaluating alliances with private sector and other County homes.
The Board is only looking at one portion of the puzzle and needs
to look at the other pieces. Supr. Wentz stated we are the
caretakers of the county's population.
Motion by Supr. Wentz, 2 nd by Supr. King that St. Croix County
stay in the Nursing Home Business. Motion by Supr. Bieraugel, 2nd
by Supr. Krueger to amend the motion that an ad -hoc committee
composed of seven St. Croix County Supervisors be appointed by
the Board Chair for the purpose of securing a management audit
firm capable of evaluating all operations at the St. Croix County
Nursing Home and give a full report to the County Board in June
of 2002, to be paid for by the 2002 Contingency Fund.
Supr. Burri stated it is a great disservice to County residents
to opt out of the business. We need to think about residents and
staff, look forward, downsize and build on our County land.
Supr. Olson asked what is the target of the audit. Supr.
Bieraugel said a financial audit has been done; a management
audit would find ways to do things more cost effectively. Supr.
Horne advised the Keefe report said the Nursing Home would lose
$10 to $14 million over the next 10 years. Supr. Mehls said the
Board should not look at losing money but using money to provide
service to residents rather placing people in adjacent counties
if the home closes.
Roll call on amendment to hire management audit: 26 yes, 4 no.
Carried. Roll call on main motion to stay in business as
amended: 19 yes, 11 no. Carried.
3
County Board Minutes December 18, 2001
Resolution #37 (2001): Recommendation from the Four Options for
the St. Croix County Nursing Home. Motion by Supr. Malick, 2 nd by
Supr. Horne to table this resolution. Roll call: 15 yes, 15 no.
Tie vote, motion failed.
Motion by Supr. Wentz, 2 nd by Supr. King to adopt the
recommendation of the Health and Human Services Board to build a
new building after downsizing. Motion by Supr. Irwin, 2 nd by
Supr. Raymond to amend the motion to not sell any County land to
finance the new building. Carried on voice vote.
Motion by Supr. Wentz, 2 nd by Supr. Bethke to amend the resolution
that the Board adopts the Human Services Board recommendation and
directs the County Board Chair to appoint a steering committee
comprised of Health and Human Services Board, Finance Committee
members and other supervisors to present and recommend a detailed
plan for a downsized facility. Amendment carried on voice vote.
Main motion carried on a voice vote.
Supr. O'Connell excused at 12:05 p.m.
Resolution #38 (2001): Supporting Creation of a Technology Zone.
Motion to adopt by Supr. Standafer, 2 nd by Supr. Bieraugel.
Standafer explained companies who qualify would get income tax
credits. Sales tax and property tax would still be paid by the
business, but the aggregate values of both represent an income
tax credit. St. Croix, Polk and Pierce Counties would work
together on a joint application for the technology zone from the
Department of Commerce. Carried.
Resolution #39 (2001): Authorizing a Goal Setting Session for
Board of Supervisors. Motion to adopt by Supr. Bieraugel, 2 nd by
Supr. Wentz. Bieraugel indicated the Administration Committee is
recommending a goal setting session to determine priorities and
work direction which the Committee believes would be beneficial
to Board Supervisors. An outside facilitator would be secured
for the day long session, open to the public, at a cost up to
$1500. The Finance Committee has approved payment from the 2002
contingency fund. Carried. Supr. Dowd voted no.
Committee and Board Reports: None reported.
Applications Filed for Rezoning: Donald Jensen, Town of Troy, Ag
to Ag /Res; Schettle Estate, Town of St. Joseph, Residential to
Commercial.
4
County Board Minutes December 18, 2001
Farmland Preservation: Motion by Supr. Jensen, 2 nd by Supr. Speer
to approve the application of David Afdahl Family Trust, Town of
Pleasant Valley. Carried.
Mileage and Per Diem: Motion by Vice Chair Jacobson, 2 nd by Supr.
Wolske to approve total of $6,124.72 for November, 2001.
Carried.
Correspondence: None received.
Announcements: Chair Dorsey announced Mark O'Connell has been
selected as the new Executive Director of Wisconsin Counties
Association.
Chair Dorsey reminded Supervisors to look for ways to conserve
costs in this time of economic shortfalls. He asked Department
Heads and Parent Committees to determine if duties of a vacated
position could be reassigned within the department without
causing any undue hardship or endangering County functions.
Posting for any vacancy shall be done only after the vacancy is
reviewed.
Chair Dorsey wished everyone Happy Holidays.
Motion to adjourn by Supr. Berenschot, 2 nd by Supr. Speer.
Meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
Thomas Dorsey, Chair Sue E. Nelson
St. Croix County Board of Supervisors County Clerk
5