HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of The Whole 04-14-11
AMENDED-
NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING AND AGENDA
ST. CROIX COUNTY, WISCONSIN
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
April 14, 2011- 9:00 A.M.
County Board Room
St. Croix County Government Center
1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS - November 23, 2010 and
January 10, 2011
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS:
1. "Investment Presentation - Bob Moore, Investment Advisor
2. 2012 Budget Planning
3. Employee Handbook Update - Charlie Carlson and Tammy Funk
4. Business Plan for St Croix County Health Center
ADJOURN
Items may be taken in different order.
*Additions/Changes/Corrections
• A quorum of County Board members may attend this meeting. In that event, this is also notice of a County Board meeting at
which members may obtain information on subjects listed above for use at future County Board meetings.
• Items for County Board approval must be submitted to the County Clerk's office by Tuesday preceding a County Board
meeting.
• Every effort will be made to honor requests for reasonable accommodation made by individuals with disabilities to attend this
meeting. If possible, make requests a week before the meeting. Direct requests to Cindy Campbell at 715.386.4610.
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OFFICIAL MINUTES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
April 14,2011 - 9:00 A.M.
County Board Room, St. Croix County Government Center
Meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Vice Chair Wentz.
Present: 18 members; absent and excused: Karen Meyer
Others Present: Department Heads and members of the public
Motion by Standafer, 2nd by Sather to approve agenda. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Malick 2nd by Schrank to approve the minutes of November 23, 2010 and January 10, 2011.
Carried unanimously.
Old and New Business:
1. Investment Presentation - Bob Moore, Investment Advisory - Moore reviewed global economics
and stressed the importance of education. Moore reviewed economic recovery and the job market noting
an improvement in job creation gains. Housing market and inflation concerns reviewed. Markets
reviewed. Per Moore, success of QE1 and QE2 will be determined by the public to private sector handoff.
Discussion regarding shift of technology for labor. Moore indicated this will continue.
Discussion regarding things county government can do to keep and attract the well-educated, innovative
entrepreneurs. Discussion regarding foreclosures and how to plan for unexpected costs. Moore suggested
protecting the rainy day fund and recognize borrowing at low levels. Discussion regarding the private
sector vs. the public sector.
Break at 10:17 a.m. Reconvened at 10:30 a.m.
2. 2012 Budget Planning - Carlson stated the Administration Committee asked him to review how to
move the budget process along. Reviewed collective bargaining, 2011 reconciliation act, federal
government shutdown, federal borrowing limit (exchange rates are driving the oil), how departments can
set priorities on programs and what can be done this year. Article regarding priority budgeting was
distributed. Carlson recommended the first thing the County Board should do is decide how much to
spend in 2012. Pietrick distributed a budget summary showing revenues and expenditures from the 2008
audit, 2009 audit, unaudited 2010 and 2011 budget. Pietrick provided estimated impacts for the 2012
budget. Discussion regarding operating expenses the past 20 years. Carlson stated the average pay and
fringe for 2010 per FTE was $75,000.
Pietrick explained the budget summary shows estimated impacts including shifting 5.8% of Wisconsin
Retirement to the county employees, transportation aids cuts, state shared revenue cuts, the levy impacts
in the Governor's Budget which used last year's net construction .74%. Fred Johnson, Director of Health
and Human Services (HHS), explained HHS revenues and cutoff timeframes.
Pietrick reported 2010 sales tax came in higher than budgeted and anticipated 2012 would be as good as
2010. Interest and penalties on taxes reviewed noting the effect with the number of foreclosures. Review
of other revenues noting the recycling fund will be cut and various reductions in HHS. Pietrick stated this
summary does not include application of fund balance. Review of expenses with most reductions relating
Committee of the Whole
April 14, 2011
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to Wisconsin Retirement, cut in recycling and HHS reductions. Pietrick stated estimates are based on
assumptions.
Pietrick stated she is working on forecasting and reviewing capital improvement planning and is looking
at upgrading the current accounting system through CESA 10. Review of 2011 salary calculations.
Review of Employee Trust Fund noting the possibility of being retroactive to April.
Discussion regarding the process of achieving a balanced budget at the end rather than setting an amount
early in the budget process. Carlson asked the County Board members to do homework and study the
documents provided. The Administration Committee should bring an amount forward and move this
along.
3. Employee Handbook Update - Charlie Carlson and Tammy Funk - Carlson provided
documentation on Act 10 which changes collective bargaining. The handbook will reflect changes in
policies necessary to implement the County Administrator form of government.
4. Business Plan for St. Croix County Health Center - Fred Johnson and Frank Robinson were
present. Johnson provided a brief overview from the April 8, 2011 HHS Board meeting. A copy of the
LarsonAllen Nursing Home Strategic Plan was provided. Robinson reviewed Assumptions in the Plan.
Johnson reviewed the Planning Dashboards for 72 beds, 50 beds, and 50 beds with a 48 unit assisted
living.
Robinson highlighted targeted debt service and cash on hand. Studies provide four things to do with the
Nursing Home in order to be successful: cut number of beds; staff by patient per day (if the census is
down reduce staffing or increase if necessary); review technology to benefit the facility (kiosks and
electronic medical records); and look at wage and fringe costs for employees.
Wentz and Horne commented on the importance of open and honest conversations with the Nursing
Home employees and make this a collaborative effort to come up with a negotiated base both sides can
live with and move forward. Discussion regarding Nursing Home employee compensation and regional
comparables.
Discussion regarding the need for a plan. Johnson stated the scenarios have been done. This proposal is a
response to tight budget times and asked what the County Board can support. Malick indicated the
County Board ought to make a decision on the support for the future not ruling out the possibility of
ongoing levy support and make a decision because there's so much in play with state's budget.
Discussion regarding the County Board making a statement of its intention with the Nursing Home or
delaying a statement until a later date. The consensus was to wait until a later date.
Adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
Chair Daryl Standafer
Vice Chair Esther Wentz
Cindy Campbell, Recording Secretary