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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 10-31-2000ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS October 31, 2000 9:00 A.M. Government Center CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Thomas Dorsey INVOCATION: Pastor Bryce Mensink, Christian Reform Church, Baldwin PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION ADOPTION OF AGENDA ANNOUNCEMENTS: 4-H Award Presented to Margaret Affolter Ice Cream Will Also Be Served by the 4-H Ambassadors DATE OF NEXT SESSION: December 12, 2000 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: (Action on newly introduced motions, ordinances, resolutions or other matters) 1. Public Hearing on 2001 Proposed Budget 9:05 A.M. 2. Resolution Approving County Aid Bridge Construction 3. Resolution Approving County Aid Construction & Maintenance During Calendar Year 2001 4. Resolution Adopting 2001 Budget 5. Resolution Approving Reimbursement Due Listing Officials for Listing Dogs for 2000 6. Resolution Approving Dog Damage Claims for 2000 7. Resolution Regarding Illegal Taxes 8. Resolution to Approve A Policies & Procedures Manual for t' f the Revolving Loan Fund Established with r Admznista ion o Funds from Wisconsin Department of Commerce Grants 9. Resolution Relating to St. Croix County's Participation in The Wisconsin Community Development Block Grant for Economic Development for Jon -De Farm, Inc. 10. Resolution to Fund New Marksense Voting System *11. Resolution Approving New Positions 12. Rezoning from Ag to Ag II for Steve Meyer, Town of Baldwin COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS APPLICATIONS FILED FOR ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 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 ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Budget Session October 31, 2000 Meeting called to order by Chair Dorsey at 9:00 a.m. Invocation was given by Pastor Bryce Mensink, Christian Reform Church, Baldwin. Pledge of Allegiance recited. Chair welcomed guests and the press. Roll call: 30 present, 1 absent - Supr. Linda Luckey (excused). Motion by Supr. Malick, 2nd by Supr. Grant to adopt the September 21 minutes with the following correction by Supr. Olson: In regard to the Campaign Finance Reform resolution change eliminating to elimination of all issue ads and delete the statement "She believed this to take away her freedom." Carried. Motion by Supr. Berenschot, 21'd by Supr. Bethke to adopt the agenda. Carried. Next meeting scheduled for December 12. No meeting in November unless necessary. Announcements: Clerk Nelson read a tribute to American Veterans thanking them for their service to our country. Supr. Grant distributed flag pins and the County Council of Legions have purchased 16,000 pins for all school children in the County. Public Hearing: Chair called the hearing on the 2001 budget to order at 9:08 a.m. Rose Ostendorf commented on her experiences living by Perch Lake. She asked why the Park has not been opened since it has been four years after the purchase of the land by the County. She noted the vandalism taking place and the fire risk because the area is not mowed. She urged the Board to develop the Park and get the funding promised. Linda Jamison, who is conducting a fund raiser for a future Nature Center at the Park, said many people ask why the Park is taking so long. Chair closed the Public Hearing at 9:20 a.m. Resolution #34 (2000): Approving New Positions. Chair Dorsey said this is the approved. time to add any positions not previously Supr. Jensen requested the three temporary positions for Land and Water Conservation be left open in case other money can be found to fund these positions. Personnel Director Deb Kathan said County Board needs to approve temporary positions even if they are not funded by the County. 1 Motion by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Berenschot to leave the three temporary positions open for Land and water Conservation at no County levy. Carried. Motion by Supr. King, 2nd by Supr. Grant to approve the Highway Department's Maintenance/Purchasing Specialist position at no county levy. King said the Personnel Committee had approved this position. The position is needed to maintain our commitment to County roads. Highway Commissioner Dan Fedderly said this position would be filled by a person currently in a union position. There will be five vacant union positions which will be filled according to need for future road projects. There are 74 total employees in the Highway Dept. Motion carried. Supr. Rose asked if this is the last opportunity to deal with personnel issues or can they be addressed when each department is reviewed. Corporation Counsel Timmerman said they should be addressed at this time. This resolution is usually done prior to the budget meeting but this year new positions were included in the budget process. Supr. Rose advised the Sheriff had requested a Huber Corrections Officer that was denied. Sheriff Hillstead said the Jail Sergeant no longer has time to oversee the Huber inmates (people who stay in the jail but work outside the jail). This Huber position would supervise and seek employment for these people so they can pay their way in the jail and also support their families. Huber people pay $15 per day for their board. Jail Captain Karen Humphrey said there are 24 people,in Huber now and there is space for 32. The men and women are separated and there are five empty beds in the women's section. Total cost for the Huber Officer is $56,000. Humphrey said this person would also act as a shift filler, oversee Huber and reduce overtime by an estimated $15,000. Supr. Irwin commented when the two sergeants were approved for the jail last year, the Sheriff indicated he would not request more help the next year. Sheriff Hillstead replied the Sergeants do more training and supervising than was expected. Supr. Horne asked if another person was necessary due to decreased jail population. The Sheriff explained the jail population has decreased due to INS now contracting with a Marshal's prison in Minnesota. The Boot Camp people only stay one night rather than the three to four days in the past. A contract is signed with the State Dept. of Corrections to house 25 women prisoners. A 2 certain number of staff is needed no matter how many inmates are incarcerated. Supr. Standafer asked how many of the 24 Huber people are employed. Humphrey said they all are working. If a person is not employed, they remain with the general jail population and not in the Huber section. Motion by Supr. Speer, 2nd by Supr. Mehls to approve the Huber positions. Roll call vote: 19 yes, 11 no. Carried. Motion by Supr. Malick, 2nd by Supr. Bieraugel to approve the new position resolution as amended. Roll call: 26 yes, 4 no. Carried. New positions approved are: Circuit Court Judicial Assistant, Zoning Secretary/Receptionist, Planning GIS/Planner, Sheriff's Dept. Investigator and Huber Officer, Emergency Communication two part-time dispatchers and Highway Maintenance and Purchasing Specialist. The temporary positions with no county funding are two interns and one work study in Land and Water Conservation. 4-H Award: 4-H Youth Agent Kim Reaman noted National 4-H Week is the first week in October. Ann Wilbur presented a gift to Margaret Affolter for her 36 years as a 4-H Dog Project Leader. Reaman also presented Margaret with a certificate and a guardian angel 4-H pin. Ms. Affolter commented the good help from other leaders and the 4-H parents made her 4-H experience enjoyable. Applause by Board. 4-H'ers served ice cream during the break. Adopting the 2001 Budget: Motion by Supr. Wolske, 2nd by Supr. Swenson to place on the floor. Chair Dorsey turned the meeting over to Finance Chair Tom O'Connell. O'Connell said the Finance Committee has completed their assignment and has presented a balanced budget for 2001. The Contingency Fund is set at $250,000 which is the lowest in many years. The levy increased by 13.65%. O'Connell thanked the Departments and Committees for their cooperation. Two examples were County Clerk issuing Passports rather than Clerk of Court and a Supervisor working on grant money to move a house in the flood plain. He thanked Finance Director Loney for his good work on the budget process. Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting advised the mill rate at this point is 3.56 and for 2000 was 3.58. The total budget is $61,502,325. Some significant 2001 budget items are: Nursing Home-$535,631 of County support, Perch Lake-$487,356, Capital Outlay Plan-$20,000, reduced Contingency Fund of $250,000 and new water patrol boat for $38,000. 3 Motion by Supr. Dowd, 2nd by Supr. Speer to raise the mill rate to 3.89 and restore previous budget cuts. Dowd said the mill rate should be adjusted with growth; increased volume means increased expenses. Supr. Rose said the public does not object to a moderate increase in property taxes. Supr. Horne noted wages and fringes cost $400,000 in the levy and Finance adjusted the budget as directed by the Board. Supr. Krueger spoke against the motion and cited the 75% increase in assessed valuation in the Town of Somerset. Supr. Standafer said no one he has talked to is excited about taxes increasing. Supr. King suggested going through individual budgets and let the mill rate fall where it may. Supr. Bieraugel agreed. Supr. Malick said the Committees did a good job in budgeting and he trusted their recommendations. Supr. Swenson stated some of the positions previously denied would be restored if this motion passes. Roll call: 11 yes, 19 no, motion defeated. Sheriff's Dept.: Motion by Swenson, 2nd by Bieraugel to add $27,500 for increased gasoline expense. Roll call: 29 yes, 0 no. Carried. Jail: Supr. Speer asked for clarification of building maintenance regarding the jail cameras and washer and dryer. Should this come from Maintenance or the Jail Assessment fund? Timmerman said maintenance and sources of funding are two different items. Speer stated a used washing machine is not acceptable for Huber use. Supr. Horne assured Speer he could get a used machine for $2000. Motion by Supr. Speer, 2nd by Supr. Horne to buy a new washer and dryer and add $1960 to the $2000 previously approved. Roll call: 20 yes, 10 no. Carried. Motion by Supr. Horne, 2nd by Supr. Krueger to remove $15,000 plus fringes of $3158 for a total of $18,158 from the Jail overtime line item. Carried. Health and Human Services Discussion: Supr. Rose commented H&HS suggested the $300,000 cut from this budget be placed in the Contingency Fund if needed. Supr. Horne said the two managers and Director made the reductions and the H&HS committee accepted their recommendation. The actual reduction was $251,000. V Supr. Wentz was not happy with the cuts and believes this budget to be on shaky ground. H&HS Chair Robert Stephens said the budget was reduced per the request from the Finance Committee. The budget is at risk and if we have to come back for funds, he asked the Board to remember why. County Parks: Supr. Raymond said the Finance Comm. cut $160,000 which will mostly affect Glen Hills Park. It will not affect Perch Lake Homestead Park. He commented DNR feels Perch Lake Park is not a high priority with the County and this may affect future grants from DNR. Total improvement to Perch Lake Park is $1.4 million of which half is paid by grant money. Supr. Peterson said road construction was budgeted last year and asked where is the road. Highway Commissioner Fedderly said the roads were a phased project. The design of roads and the road into the park is done. The next phase is the one way trail down to the lake. There is an environmental impact concern. Fedderly noted he is nervous about the road down to the lake because of possible erosion running into the pristine lake water. When to build the road depends on weather and other factors. Raymond said the money budgeted for the roads will lapse into this year's budget. Motion by Supr. Wolske, 2nd by Supr. Bjerstedt to get the road done at Perch Lake this fall. Supr. Malick said this is not a good time to do this project. County Conservationist Heise said there would be erosion concern and no vegetation would grow at this time of year. Motion was withdrawn. Motion by Supr. Malick, 2nd by Supr. Jensen to restore $40,000 to the Parks budget and Planning, Zoning and Parks Committee decide how to use it. Parks Director Grant said the canoes and row boats remained in the budget but the new brochures and pick up were out along with reduction in park improvements for Glen Hills (such as repairs to toilet buildings). Roll call: 25 yes, 5 no. Carried. Wildwood Trail: Vice Chair Jacobson announced the trail upgrading has been completed to the Pierce County line and there is money left for signage. No funds were requested this year. Nursing Home: Director John Borup said long range planning has begun in regard to the Nursing Home and other services such as assisted living housing. 5 Contingency Fund: Supr. Horne said past history including potential law suits for the incinerator and summer concerts required a larger Contingency Fund. He doesn't believe a large amount is needed this year. Supr. Peterson suggested if revenues are higher than actual budgeted expenses, use this money for the Contingency Fund. Loney explained this fund is levy money. There is $5 million in the undesignated General Fund. Supr. Krueger pointed out if the present growth rate continues, in the year 2006 the operating levy could be $19,146,157 with a 2.77 mill rate. While County Clerk Nelson and Finance Director Loney compared budget changes, other resolutions were addressed. Resolution #35 (2000): Approving County Aid Bridge Construction. Motion to adopt by Supr. Grant, 2nd by Supr. King. Carried. Resolution #36 (2000): Approving County Aid Construction and Maintenance During Calendar Year 2001. Motion to adopt by Supr. King, 2nd by Supr. Wolske. Carried. Resolution #37 (2000): Approving Reimbursement Due Listing Officials for Dogs. Motion to adopt by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Supr. Jacobson. Carried. Resolution #38 (2000): Approving Dog Damage Claims. Motion to adopt by Supr. Malick, 2nd by Supr. Bethke. Carried. Resolution #39 (2000): Regarding Illegal Taxes. Motion to adopt by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Supr. Krueger. Carried. Resolution #40 (2000): Approving a Policies and Procedures Manual for Administration of the Revolving Loan Fund. Motion to adopt by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Supr. Berenschot. Carried. Resolution #41 (2000): Relating to St. Croix County's Participation in the WI Community Development Block Grant for Economic Development for Jon -De Farm, Inc. Motion to adopt by Supr. Krueger, 2nd by Supr. Standafer. This is a block grant loan to be paid back to St. Croix County for use in future loans. Carried. Voting no were Suprs. Bieraugel, Irwin, Malick, Bethke, Rose, Mortensen and Larson. C Resolution #42 (2000): Adopting the 2001 Budget. Motion to adopt by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Supr. Bieraugel. Loney noted the changes on the board. Levy at the start of the meeting was $13,571,335. With the additions and subtractions made during the meeting the resulting levy is $13,673,592 and mill rate is 3.595. Contingency Fund remained at $250,000. Roll call: 30 yes, 0 no. Budget for 2001 was adopted. Supr. O'Connell thanked the Board for their cooperation. Chair Dorsey thanked Tom O'Connell, Rich Loney, Chuck Whiting and Greg Timmerman for their work on the 2001 budget. Ordinance #563 (2000): Rezoning from Ag. to Ag II for Steve Meyer, Town of Baldwin. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Jensen. Carried. Resolution #43 (2000): To Fund New Marksense Voting System. Motion to adopt by Supr. King, 2nd by Supr. Mortensen. Clerk Nelson explained the State Elections Board is phasing out the punch card voting system. In order to have more municipalities change to a new Marksense voting system, she is asking the County to provide an interest free "loan" for one year. Cost of each machine is $5500 and the County would fund half or $2750. Carried. Committee Reports: Information Services Chair Horne said there has been concern about publishing Supervisors' names, phone numbers and addresses on the County's web site. Computer Services added the County Directory which contains this information to the web site. E-mail addresses were not included. Computer Services Director Tom Boron provided the web site address: www.co.saint-croix.wi.us. This issue will be placed on the December agenda for further discussion. Chair Dorsey noted there is one extra Supervisor on the Information Services committee. Tom O'Connell has volunteered to be removed from this committee. Planning, Zoning and Parks Chair Raymond said the committee has been working on 30 minor subdivisions with several being in the Emerald area. The committee and staff will get back to work on the new County Zoning Ordinance. Assigned Committee reports will start in December. 7 Unfinished Business: Motion by Supr. Bieraugel, 2nd by Supr. Malick to add the audio tapes and video tape of the August 15 County Board session to the official record. Carried. Applications for Rezoning: All are for Ag. to Ag/Residential: Arlen and Judith Luehmann, Town of Star Prairie, Elaine Boardman, Town of Somerset and Wm. and Ann Findley, Town of Rush River. Mileage and Per Diem: Motion by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Supr. Wolske to approve total of $10,445.64 for the month of September. Carried. Correspondence: A letter was received from U.S. Senator Russ Feingold acknowledging receipt of the Resolution regarding Water Regulation Improvement Act submitted by the Transportation Committee and adopted by the Board. Motion to adjourn by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Vice Chair Jacobson. Meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m. Thomas Dorsey, Chair Sue E. Nelson, Clerk St. Croix County Board of Supervisors St. Croix County E'?