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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance 03-11-04 ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Chairman Buck Malick St. Croix County Board FROM: Ralph Swenson, Chair COMMITTEE TITLE: Finance DATE: Thursday, March 11, 2004 8:30 A.M. LOCATION: Room 1281, Government Center, Hudson CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: April 8, 2004 8:30 A.M. ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES: February 12, 2004 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: 1. Review of Vouchers 2. Discussion regarding defibrillators and training — Judge Lundell 3. Treasurer's Report 4. Maintenance Department Report 5. Computer Services Department Report 6. Risk Management Report 7. Corporation Counsel Report 8. Clerk of Court's Report a. 2003 budget related issues ** 9. County Clerk Report a. Dog Damage Claim - Daniel A. Hall - Town of Somerset b. Tax Deed Property Status 10. Finance Department Report a. Financial Reports 11. Administrative Coordinator Report a. Status of Risk Manager position b. Update on Huber Project c. Update on WisDoT Taking of County Farm Property i. Parcel 22 Status ** ii. Parcel 31 Status ** iii. Consideration of intersection option ** d. 2005 Budget Prioritization Plan e. Review of non -rep and retiree Health Insurance work ** f. Tax Payers Bill of Rights Legislation g. Closed session per WI Stat. 19.85 (1) c for the performance of an employee (Administrative Coordinator); reconvening into open session to complete agenda items ** 12. Resolution re: Taxable Bond Issue ** 13. Resolution re: Non - taxable Bond Issue ** 14. Taxable Bond Payment Settlement Agreement between County and WMMIC* CORRESPONDENCE: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) COPIES TO: County Board Office News Media/Notice Board County Clerk County Board County Departments * * ADDITIONS /CHANGE S /CORRECTIONS UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE ST. CROIX COUNTY FINANCE COMMITTEE Regular Meeting March 11, 2004 Meeting called to order by Chair Swenson at 8:30 a.m. Present: Ralph Swenson, Clarence Malick, Daryl Standafer, Esther Wentz and Stan Krueger. Staff present: Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting, Finance Director Michelle Pietrick and County Clerk Cindy Campbell. Motion by Wentz, 2nd by Krueger to adopt the agenda. Carried unanimously. Date of next meeting is April 8, 2004. Motion by Standafer, 2nd by Swenson to approve the minutes of February 12, 2004 to include the word "Cash" under the Finance Department Report so it reads " Pietrick reported a General Fund Cash balance... ". Carried unanimously. 1. Vouchers. No discussion. 2. Discussion regarding defibrillators and training — Judge Lundell. Judge Lundell and Kristi Severson, Clerk of Court Office Manager were present. Judge Lundell stressed the importance of having defibrillators available in the Government Center, Sheriff's Department and Jail. He asked for the Finance Committee's general approval for placement of defibrillators throughout the Government Center. The Finance Committee expressed its full support. Standafer indicated a high awareness of where the defibrillators are located in the Government Center is necessary. Motion by Krueger, 2nd by Wentz to notify the Emergency Government / Emergency Management Committee to obtain information regarding obtaining defibrillators for the Government Center and provide one on each floor in the Government Center. Carried unanimously. 3. Treasurer's Report. The Finance Committee reviewed the January 2004 reconciliation report as submitted by County Treasurer Cheryl Slind and had no questions. 4. Maintenance Department Report. No report. 5. Computer Services Department Report. No report. 6. Risk Management Report. No report. 7. Corporation Counsel Report. No report. 8. Clerk of Court's Report. a. 2003 Budget Related Issues. Clerk of Court Lori Meyer indicated she has two outstanding bills from 2003. She received a statement from Wells Fargo Bank for bank service charges in the amount of $410.38. This account was closed and Wells Fargo issued a check to the County for the balance. Malick indicated at the time the account was closed Wells Fargo settled the account. Motion by Krueger, 2 by Wentz to reject claim from Wells Fargo Bank. Carried unanimously. Finance Committee March 11, 2004 Page 2 of 5 Meyer explained there was some confusion in billing from Corporate Express for furniture located in the public access / library area. Pietrick indicated this will be paid by doing a journal entry. No action by the Finance Committee. 9. County Clerk Report. a. Dog Damage Claim - Danial A. Hall— Owner's Claim for Damages to Animals was submitted by Mr. Hall in the amount of $2,200.00 for damages by dogs to several Flemish Giant Rabbits. Motion by Malick, 2 by Standafer to postpone consideration until Mr. Hall exhausts remedies of collection through insurance claims and appropriate legal action. Carried unanimously. Campbell indicated Thomas Miller — Owner's Claim for Damages to Animals went to trial on March 3, 2004 and indicated pursuant to Mr. Miller, the Judge will decide the case on or before March 12 Tax Deed Property Status. Campbell reported an offer was received on the Town of Cady property from Irene Bertram. Bertram's attorney, Tom McCormack submitted the offer and certified check in the amount of $7,350. The offer provided a request the County remove the debris located on the property and if hazardous waste is discovered on the property, the offer would be withdrawn. According to Corporation Counsel, if there is a cost to removing the debris, the County cannot accept this offer because the property would be sold for less than its appraised value, which is prohibited by Wis. Stats. Sec. 75.69. Motion by Malick, 2nd by Krueger to reject the offer from Irene Bertram on the basis of Wis. Stats. Sec. 75.69. Carried unanimously. Motion by Standafer, 2 by Wentz to re- advertise the property "as is" and sell it to highest bidder but the County reserves the right to reject all offers. Carried unanimously. Campbell has placed a "For Sale by St. Croix County" sign on the property in the village of Baldwin and advertised the property in the real estate section of Baldwin Bulletin. 10. Finance Department Report. a. Financial Report. Pietrick reported a General Fund Cash and investments balance as of January 31, 2004 of $22,610,090.32 (this amount includes some unspent bond proceeds). 2003 Contingency Fund balance is $20,675.73 but Pietrick indicated the Health Insurance adjustment will be reduced to approximately $85,000 from $169,130 which will leave an approximate balance of $104,805. Sales Tax Progress through December sales received in February 2004 total $484,493.88. Pietrick indicated this amount is currently in the General Fund but will be transferred to a separate fund. At budget time, the Finance Committee will need to decide how much of the sales tax to apply to reduce the levy. Pietrick provided copies of Revenue and Expenditure Reports. John Borup was present to report on the Health and Human Service 2003 year end. One issue addressed was the Nursing Home's Employee Health Insurance premium which is $34,176.28 short. Discussion regarding 2003 health insurance department charges. Nursing Home's excess revenue over expenses is ($23,473.74) plus the health insurance adjustment made to the total. Finance Committee March 11, 2004 Page 3 of 5 Pietrick indicated the Health and Human Services Fund is looking for approximately $28,500 based on actual union employees who had health insurance during 2003. Borup indicated for 2003 there is a $650,353 deficit which includes $41,168 for W -2 loss, $382,000 in mental health, $90,000 Family and Children's and $132,861 in Long Term Support. These numbers do not include anticipated revenues of approximately $125,000. Requesting from the County to reduce the deficit: $75,034 for social work salaries not budgeted (accretion), and $28,500 health insurance due from county, less $125,000 pending 2003 collections and $92,933 available 2003 funds. Borup indicated since the elimination of the W2 program the state has withdrawn revenues from St. Croix County and has done this across the state. Discussion regarding the transfer of $75,034 for social work salaries not budgeted. Motion by Wentz, 2nd by Malick to transfer from 2003 Contingency Fund to Health and Human Services, $75,034 for social work salaries who decertified. Carried unanimously. Swenson pointed out three things regarding this matter; 1) discussion on what the County wants to book for 2003; 2) the Finance Committee's role for monitoring and warning proceedings through 2004; 3) the concept of "What can we do about it ?" The Finance Committee requested clarification from Health and Human Services regarding the $125,000 of pending 2003 collections. Has this been billed or not? 11. Administrative Coordinator Report. a. Status of Risk Manager Position. Whiting indicated four people were interviewed. The County received approximately eight applicants. b. Update on Huber Project. Whiting indicated Huber Building Committee meetings have been held weekly. The project was delayed slightly and now is essentially complete. Landscaping will be completed in the spring. The city building inspector gave a verbal occupancy permit. The state jail inspector has also viewed the facility. As of the first part of March, Huber prisoners have occupied the facility. C. Update on WisDoT Taking of County Farm Property. Attorney Stuart Krueger was present. i. Parcel 22 Status — The County received a check in the amount of $168,000 from WisDot. Pietrick indicated these funds were deposited and are held separately as with other expenses relating to this project. ii. Parcel 31 Status — Whiting indicated the County has extension on this property to accept or reject. iii. Consideration of intersection option. Whiting has discussed this issue with the WisDoT. This is a separate subject matter from the acquisition process. Finance Committee March 11, 2004 Page 4 of 5 Attorney Krueger indicated he discussed moving utilities with the City of New Richmond. The city does not know what the cost will be to move the utilities. The impact of that unknown figure makes it difficult to say what the impact on the other property will be. Krueger recommends we do not attempt to resolve this until the County knows what it's dealing with. There is a two year statute of limitations from the award of damages on Parcel 22. DOT has characterized Parcel 22 and Parcel 31 as two different takings. Malick indicated we need to ask the County Board to confirm a position and configuration of the intersection and the provision of sewer, water and storm water in our new southeastern boundary to put the County as close as status quo. The configuration of the intersection needs to be finalized sometime before the two years is up. Discussion regarding pheasant pens located on the property and to alert Pheasant's Forever (Sportsman's Alliance) to remove the pens if they want them. Motion by Malick, 2 nd by Swenson to recommend to the full County Board that the County not accept WisDoT's offers on either parcel 22 and 31 and convey to WisDoT our requirement that the highway configuration be as the alternative drawn for us by WisDoT and further that the sewer, water, and any storm water pipes be provided along the new southeastern boundary; and the funds which have been received for parcel 22 be kept in a designated account for purposes relating to this highway taking project. Carried unanimously. d. 2005 Budget Prioritization Plan. Pietrick reported estimates on levy impacts occurring in 2005 with approximate increases regarding debt service and salaries excluding health insurance costs. Swenson and Pietrick will review this further and Swenson will present this to the County Board. Packets containing department mission statements will be provided to all County Board members and the new members on April 20 Malick indicated this year's retreat will start from a different basis using the Springsted mission statements. e. Review of Non -rep and Retiree Health Insurance work. Whiting indicated three meetings have been held with non - represented insurance work group. They have looked at what changes could be made to the plan for non - represented employees and retirees. Whiting added there is no way of quantifying actual savings. f. Tax Payers Bill of Rights Legislation. Whiting reported this is a revenue limiting effort put forward as a constitutional amendment. The County will want to pay close attention to this because of its significant potential to change the way municipalities to their business and is based on inflation and population. WCA has indicated if this is enacted, with the support of WCA, there would need to be true mandated relief. g. (Actually taken last on agenda) Closed session per WI Stat. 19.85 (1) c for the performance evaluation of an employee (Administrative Coordinator); Motion Wentz /Standafer. Roll call vote to go into closed session — Yes: Malick, Standafer, Swenson, Wentz, and Krueger. Reconvened at 1:15 p.m. to adjourn. 12. Resolution regarding Taxable Bond Issue. This resolution was drafted by the County's bond counsel in preparation for the bond sale for the strip search settlement. The Finance Committee March 11, 2004 Page 5 of 5 taxable portion is the portion that the County will borrow on behalf of WMMIC. The amount is approximately $4,450,000. Motion to approve by Malick, 2nd by Wentz. Carried unanimously. 13. Resolution regarding Non - taxable Bond Issue. This bond sales resolution will be for the County's portion of the settlement in the amount of approximately $2,450,000. The schedule is to have the bond sale take place on March 31. The County Board will consider the resolutions on April 1. Motion to approve by Malick, 2 by Wentz. This must pass in the County Board by simple majority. Carried unanimously. 14. Taxable Bond Payment Settlement Agreement between County and WMMIC. Whiting indicated this is the written agreement between the County and WMMIC. Under the terms WMMIC will forward annual payments to the County to pay the annual taxable bond debt service. Discussion regarding needing the annual payment by December 1 St of each year to certify the County's levy. The bond payments are due in February. Whiting did not have the agreement. He indicated upon receipt of it, he will inform Finance Committee and a special meeting may be necessary. 15. Health and Human Services Request for Financing Busette Purchase. John Borup and Ron Eichstaedt were present. Borup indicated St. Croix Industries needs to replace a 1992 Chevrolet. The recommended replacement is a 20 passenger van. Borup added this vehicle purchase is in the capital outlay plan and includes money allocated over a four year period. Motion by Malick, 2 by Wentz to approve the internal loan of three- fourths with the understanding it will be fully included in 2005 and subsequent years. Swenson asked that 100% of vehicle replacements be placed in future capital outlay plans. Carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m. Esther Wentz, Secretary Cindy Campbell, Recording Secretary