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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance 08-07-03 Finance Committee - August 7, 2003 Page 1 of 8 Croix St. County * Wisconsin AGENDA - FINANCE COMMITTEE ST CROIX COUNTY NO'T'ICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING County Map TO: Chairman Buck Malick St. Croix County Board FROM: Ralph Swenson, Chair COMMITTEE TITLE: Finance DATE: Thursday, August 7, 2003 8:3o A.M. LOCATION: Room 1281, Government Center, Hudson CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: September 11, 2003 8:3o A.M.*" ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES: July 10, 2003 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: 1. Review of Vouchers 2. 2002 Audit Report - Tracey & Thole 8:3o a.m. 3. Treasurer's Report a. 2004 Department Budget b. Municipal Tax Software License Request*" 4. Maintenance Department Report a. 2004 Department Budget b. Lawn Care c. Mail Pickup d. Fire Alarm Panel 5. Computer Services Department Report a. 2004 Department Budget 6. Risk Management Report a. 2004 Department Budget 7. Corporation Counsel Report a. 2004 Department Budget http:// 172.17.128.87/Committee/Minutes/2003/FinanceO3/finO8O7O3.htm 10/31/2011 Finance Committee - August 7, 2003 Page 2 of 8 8. Clerk of Court's Report a. 2004 Department Budget 9. County Clerk Report a. 2004 Department Budget b. Tax Deed Status to. Finance Department Report a. Financial Reports b. 2004 Department Budget ii. Review of Remaining Departments' Mission and Business Responsibilities Statements 12. Administrative Coordinator Report a.2004 Department Budget b.Remaining 2003 Budget Issues - Contingency Fund, Health Insurance Fund, General Fund c.2004 Budget Issues - State Budget, software status, levy and revenues, GASB 34, 2004 Contingency Amount, Sales Tax Collection Status d.Baldwin Corn Center Project Status e.Status of WisDoT Consideration of County Land in New Richmond f.Preview of County Board New Richmond Land Use Exercise 13. Potential action on a Dunn County Resolution offered in opposition to a proposal to freeze property taxes throughout Wisconsin 14. Consideration of CDBG Housing Grant Option 15. Ozaukee County resolution offered in opposition to various amendments to the Wisconsin State Statue pertaining to the payment of taxes and grace period proposals 16.Washington County resolution offered in support of Senate Bill 15 which creates a Joint Survey Committee on State Mandates and Funding 17. Report of Revenue Shortfall Due to State Aid Cut for County Fair Premiums Finance Committee Meeting Schedule" 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/CHANGES/CORRECTIONS MINUTES FINANCE AUGUST 2003 Meeting called to order by Chair Swenson at 8:30 a.m. Present: Ralph Swenson, Clarence Malick, Esther Wentz and Daryl Standafer. Absent and excused: Stan Krueger. Staff present: Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting, Finance Director Michelle Pietrick and County Clerk Cindy Campbell. Others present: Doug Stohlberg (media). Motion by Wentz, 2°d by Standafer to adopt the agenda. Carried unanimously. Motion by Malick, 2nd by Wentz to approve the minutes of July 10, 2003 with the following correction on Page 5, paragraph four, line four which shall read, "The County will pay the other counties for out of county use." Carried unanimously. http://l72.17.128.87/Committee/Minutes/2003/FinanceO3/finO8O7O3.htm 10/31/2011 Finance Committee - August 7, 2003 Page 3 of 8 1. Vouchers. August vouchers were not reviewed prior to this meeting, Malick will review the vouchers on August 8, 2003 and will report at the September Finance Committee meeting. 2. 2oo2 Audit Report - Tracey & Thole 8:3o a.m. Steve Tracey and Steve Scheidler of Tracey & Thole, S.C. met with the Committee to review the recently completed St. Croix County Wisconsin Audited Financial Statements and Supplementary Information for 2002. Tracy & Thole does a separate audit for the Health Center and Nursing Home and they are incorporated into the general County audit. Tracey reported the summary of the St. Croix County General Fund Balance for year end 2002 is $9,135,645• Comparison of Year End Undesignated Fund Balance to General Fund Activity for 2002 is: Percent to Total Revenues - $23,871,871(38.3%); Percent to Total Expenditures - $23,o8o,949 (39.6%); Total Expenditures Reduced by Borrowing $22,628,833 (40.4%); Total Expenditures Reduced by Borrowing Plus Transfers to Nursing Home $2401,798 (37.8%). Tracey stated a 38% coverage is significant and a very strong coverage. The benchmark is usually 25% coverage. Tracey handed out a worksheet regarding changes in Fund Balance for Health and Human Services. He indicated the County Appropriation for 2002 was $4,166,839 and Excess of Revenues Over (Under) Expenditures: ($415,762). Detail of Fund Balance per County Reporting is as follows: Reserved for Donations - $42,347; Reserved for Inventories - $1,428; Reserved for Subsequent Year Budget - $575,ooo; Designated for Equipment Replacement - $o.oo; Designated for Program Purposes (Balance) $292,934 for a total of $911,709. The outstanding General Obligation debt including the State Trust Fund Loan at the end of 2002 was $8,057416. Tracey indicated the Internal Service Funds include three self-funded liability programs: Health Insurance, Workers' Compensation Insurance and Liability Insurance. The Highway Department, Self-funded Health Insurance, Self- funded Workers' Compensation and Self-funded Liability Insurance matters were discussed. Tracey indicate one caveat on the Health Insurance Fund was the County does not have liability set up at the end of the year for all of the potential claims that may be out there which have not been paid yet. WMMIC provides Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR) claims that an actuarial computed amount which gets booked so the County has a much truer picture. The Self-Funded Health Insurance looks good but is not as good as it looks because the County is not picking up the claims that are paid, were paid or could be paid relating to the claims made prior to December 31, 2002. Whiting indicated the Board passed a policy approximately 18 months ago in which the County fully funds our anticipated claims or 125% of anticipated claims. The shortfall the County has is because we have a renewal starting November 1, our October budget makes the November payment, November budget makes the December payment, etc. The County has three months at the end of the year where, assuming there is an increase, the County has budgeted for the increase. The claims that happen should be covered by the 125%. Tracey indicated even though the County has a cutoff in October, it would not want to adjust the original premiums until the new budget cycle, because it puts everyone at risk. Whiting clarified Tracey's statement to not adjust budget at end of year to reflect the changes in the renewals. Tracey indicated it is not necessary to change the budget to reflect the premium changes at the end of the calendar year, but do it in the budget calendar, which would mean the following January. Tracey recommended getting away from changing during the budget cycle and set them up even prior to the next budget cycle to take affect during the budget cycle, then the County would have a much truer picture of what the costs are going to be. Tracey referred to the Management Letter and referred to the Segregation of Duties in some of the smaller County offices (i.e. Register in Probate, Zoning and Department on Aging). He added County officials should be aware of this situation and realize that the concentration of duties and responsibilities in a limited number of individuals is not desirable from a control point of view. Tracey also reported on Budget Variations in Revenue Accounts and provided a history and variations between the adopted budget and what the actual revenue was. Other Comments made in the Management Letter. The Sheriffs Department must be sure to transfer the County's share of the DMV Funds on a regular basis to the County Treasurer. Monthly cash reconciliations need to be performed on the inmate trust/canteen fund account to ensure that recorded transactions and balances agree to the underlying bank account transactions and balances. Finance Director Michelle Pietrick will assist the Sheriff's Department in doing this reconciliation until the end of this year. Pietrick indicated she has instructed the Sheriffs Department to clean up any remaining balances. Swenson said the Finance Committee supports Pietrick with offering assistance to Sheriffs Department. Tracey indicated Tracey & Thole goes through a peer review every three years. Tracey provided a copy of the peer review letter which was done by a Milwaukee firm. This letter was placed on record with County. Tracey added he has discussed the timing of completing the St. Croix County audit with Whiting and Pietrick. Swenson indicated it has been discussed in past Finance Committee meetings to have the audit completed prior to late July early August. Tracey pointed out they do not get good numbers from the state relating to Health and Human Services (HHS) until June. HHS is a significant fund with the County and it's critical the numbers get placed in the audit report. The rest of the County could be done earlier. Tracey confirmed Tracy & Thole are here to affirm numbers of the County, not to prepare the numbers of the County. The Finance Department needs to have numbers summarized before the auditors arrive. Pietrick indicated the Finance Department could take on more duties to assist the auditors and stay current so they can do a soft close of the books. Tracey suggested HHS report costs sooner and start reporting the numbers during the year so variations will not be so great. HHS has until March 31 to report final costs. Tracey indicated it is possible to have audited number by June, but there are many variables involved. Tracey discussed reporting structure. The County is taking the information it has and creating two additional schedules. One thing that needs to be done internally is to have a good detail of the general fixed assets. The Highway Department is going to have to pick up the infrastructure. This does not change the internal accounting structure. This will remain on a fund basis. The reporting of that fund structure and reporting of the fixed assets will change significantly. Swenson added first, the County would like June as the benchmark for the audit. If we cannot make that date, we need to know why we didn't and why the auditors could not make that target date. Second, the County requests more information in the Management Letter. The County would value input from Tracy & Thole http:// 172.17.128.87/Committee/Minutes/2003/FinanceO3/finO8O7O3.htm 10/31/2011 Finance Committee - August 7, 2003 Page 4 of 8 based on their experience and longevity with St. Croix County to challenge our current business process. Tracey requested more specific feedback. Pietrick indicated she has already made some changes in the way procedures are being done. Malick pointed out there has been a management audit done in HHS, he wanted more management auditing of the rest of the County. 3. Treasurer's Report. County Treasurer Cheryl Slind provided her reconciliation report dated June 2003. Balance as of June 30, 2003 is $1,681,225.80. Voided checks were high in June because the Wells Fargo account was closed. Some of the voided checks will be reissued, or placed back into the General Account if there are no responses on the voided checks. All tax receipted money was deposited as of 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Slind commended her staff on their hard work. Slind had emailed her Mission and Business Responsibilities Statement to the committee members. Malick indicated a change under Direction and Policy because the County Treasurer is a constitutional officer who makes her own direction and policy. The Finance Committee's role is related the interaction with the Finance Department and the budget approval. Also, there are no ex-officio members of the Finance Committee and the committee members are elected by the County Board. Motion by Malick, 2nd by Wentz to approve the County Treasurer's Mission and Business Responsibilities Statement with the above changes. Carried unanimously a. 2004 Department Budget. Slind reviewed budget and explained some proposed changes in her 004 budget. Tax Deed Expense increased to hire title companies to do title searches. Slind is concerned about iability if an underlying lien is mussed. Malick suggested contacting Corporation Counsel or Register of Deeds Kay alsh. Standafer stated he is not opposed to hiring outside title work. b. Municipal Tax Software License Request. Slind indicated municipalities currently get mill rates to Real Property Lister. Real Property processes the tax bills on paper. The municipalities mail the tax bills and retain a copy. The municipal treasurers hand write a receipt for the tax payer then sends a copy of the receipt to the County and the municipality retains a copy. When the County receives the receipts the Treasurer's office hand inputs the receipts into the County's system. GCS offers a Municipal Tax Package that works with our County system. The process is as follows: Real Property would create the tax bill for the municipality. A file would be created to send to the municipality and downloaded for them to receipt tax collection online. Once collection is finished on their part they would then email the County Treasurer a file in which the Treasurer would download to update the Count/ ,s tax records as far as collections they receipted. From that point the County would take over collection just like in the past. Slind reported her office is collecting first half taxes for twelve municipalities. Slind indicated seven municipalities are interested in pursuing this avenue of tax collection. The County would need to purchase the site license at a cost of $2,000 one time charge and an annual support license of $330. Each municipality would pay the annual license fee. Slind suggests the County charge the site license fee back at $150 per municipality and not divide the $2,000 by the number of municipalities currently interested because more municipalities may become interested in using this program. Malick is in favor and is looking for reduction in labor costs in the County Treasurer's office. Swenson said to move forward and put it in the budget and look at Malick's suggestions regarding reduction in labor costs. Swenson commends Slind for her initiative in looking at these ideas and moving ahead in terms of electronics age. 4. Maintenance Department Report. a. 2004 Department Budget. Facilities Manager Ralph Robole indicated he is unable to print his 2004 due to technical difficulties. The cost to run Huber will increase to $44,ooo for utilities which is the same number used in the proforma. b. Lawn Care. Robole reported he received four quotes. Prices range from $450.00 to $1,58o a month. T & R Lawncare was called to begin lawn care, but has not responded. Robole will contact someone else. C. Mail Pickup. Robole contacted Sunrise Specialties for mail pickup. The charge is $7.oo a day to pick up the mail, or about $1,70o a year. County Clerk will place this matter in her 2oo4 budget. Robole, Pietrick and Campbell will review their 2003 budgets to get this service started as soon as possible. Motion by Standafer, 2nd by Wentz if funds are found in 2003 budget to go with mail pickup by Sunrise Specialties. Carried unanimously. Gas costs have remained higher this year (currently at $.6o a therm). The 2003 budget was built on Xcel's forecast of $.52 for the winter months. Summer months would average $.39, with winter months averaging $.52. Robole is looking at an increase in 2004 budget of $20,000 (a 25% increase). d. Fire Alarm Panel. Robole received three bids to replace the fire alarm panel in the Government Center and installation of the new panel in the Huber addition. Poellinger Electric, Inc. was the low bid at $79,333.00. Poellinger has indicated if the County would purchase the equipment they would eliminate $2,198 in taxes off the bid. The bidders have stated the Huber addition is about 25% of the costs ($19,284). Brian Larson stated they would allow from $15,ooo to $18,ooo for Huber. Robole indicated he has $57,895 in the Maintenance Department Capital Outlay. Huber Building Committee will need to act on the $19,284 for the Huber project. Building Services/Maintenance Department Mission and Business Responsibilities Statement was distributed. Robole indicated the Staffing and Education paragraph was added. This will be sent to Springsted. Whiting indicated there may some minor changes. Motion by Standafer, 2nd by Malick to forward Building Services' Mission Statement to Springsted. Carried unanimously. 5. Computer Services Department Report. a. 2004 Department Budget. - No Report. http://172.17.128.87/Committee/Minutes/2003/FinanceO3/finO8O7O3.htm 10/31/2011 Finance Committee - August 7, 2003 Page 5 of 8 6. Risk Management Report. Risk Manager Dawn Budrow reported total payments made for workers comp through August 7, 2003 is $104,569.71. Total number of claims YTD by department is General County - 3; Highway Department - 9; Human Services - 7; Law Enforcement - 7; Nursing Home - 29. a. 2004 Department Budget. Budrow explained current Work Comp budget has a balance of ($4,632.76) and the Liability budget has a balance of ($24732.32)• Loss costs were not budgeted in 2003. The direct cost of claims is actually included because it gets paid on Sage. Loss claims are difficult to budget because they are highly unpredictable. Whiting indicated the Fund Balance becomes the critical number when it comes to claims paid. These shows up on the Worker Comp budget as actual expenses to date. The auditor recommended the County do an actuarial assessment of the Fund Balance. This is done in other counties. Budrow placed $6,ooo in her budget for the assessment in both the Work Comp and liability insurance budgets. Malick suggested aggregating the self insured accounts and have a policy of funding it at 125% of the previous years. Swenson would be a proponent to have something parallel rather than aggregating it. Blending the accounts may cause losing track of each process. Budrow added she is expecting an overall increase in all premiums (liability side) of approximately 15% and is expecting a substantial decrease in claims fees on work comp because of the switch to WIMMIC. Fluctuations get back to the levy in the form of an allocation but there is a two year lag. They are reimbursable through Federal and State grants. Budrow recently discovered the allocation for collision coverage is only to the Sheriffs Department. Approximately 20 years ago Highway did a study and it was determined it was not cost feasible to have collision coverage on its vehicles. The only reason there is collision coverage on Sheriff Department vehicles is immediate replacement is necessary. Budrow reported other County departments thought they had collision coverage and some claims have been submitted and paid by the insurance company. Budrow notified the insurance company of this and the insurance company confirmed this was not a material misrepresentation on the County's part. This coverage will need to be corrected with the renewals. County departments, excluding Highway, have indicated they want collision coverage. Budrow indicated this will have an impact on the County's LGPIF (Local Government Property Insurance Fund) premium which is the State fund for property insurance. Budrow recommends the County insure all vehicles for collision except Highway Department and check into a higher deductible for Highway. Highway is comfortable not having collision insurance. Budrow indicated property renewal is effective November 7I'. Motion by Malick, 2nd by Wentz to insure all County vehicles except Highway Department vehicles for collision at a cost expected to be approximately $16,ooo. Carried unanimously. Budrow distributed a St. Croix County Summary of Insurance Coverage in 2003 which provides insurance coverage and premiums for the County and Public Official Bond coverage. Budrow will check into boiler and machinery coverage. 7. Corporation Counsel Report. a. 2004 Department Budget. Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman indicated he is requesting three new computers. 8. Clerk of Court's Report. a. 2004 Department Budget. No Report. 9. County Clerk's Report. a. 2004 Department Budget. Campbell reported on a lower budget in the County Board Other Professional Services line item because there will be no milk purchased by the County for 2004 June Dairy month. Milk will be provided if donated. There is a significant increase in the Election Budget because there are four elections in 2004. Campbell noted she had not included the upgrading of the County Board room audio and video including cable TV to the budget. Swenson instructed Campbell to place it in the COP in order to determine priorities. b. Tax Deed Status. Slind and Campbell are moving ahead with completing the 1999 tax deeds. Tax deeds will be prepared by the County Clerk's office. Campbell reported she received an Authorization to Exceed Motel/Hotel Maximum Allowance for Don Gillen who will be attending the Wisconsin Child Support Enforcement conference. The room rate is $79.00 per night which exceeds the County's allowance of $62.00. Campbell added the room rate for the WCA Conference in September is also at a rate of $79.oo. Motion by Wentz, 2nd by Malick to approve $79.oo room rates for Gillen and WCA Conference. Carried unanimously. to. Finance Department Report. a. Financial Reports. As of June 30, 2003 there is a total balance of $22,188,476.19 in the various County accounts and investments, this does not reflect the bond proceeds which were received on July 9v'. There is a balance of $241,005.73 in the 2003 Contingency Fund. $8,994.27 was paid out of the Contingency Fund for repair of emergency generator on July 10, 2003. The chiller temporary fix was also taken out of Contingency Fund but does not reflect on this report. Pietrick indicated she is estimating a possible $300,000 shortfall in the 2003 sales tax. She hopes this will pick up some with the opening of the Home Depot store in Hudson and the pick up in the economy. Pietrick distributed an Expenditure Summary Report and Health and Human Services financial report for January through June 2003. Pietrick pointed out the Polk/St. Croix Drug Program has a -$67,157.98 balance. She indicated http://l72.17.128.87/Committee/Minutes/2003/FinanceO3/finO8O7O3.htm 10/31/2011 Finance Committee - August 7, 2003 Page 6 of 8 she had not posted the continuing appropriations budget entry yet. Pietrick has discussed this with the Sheriffs Department to check if the County is getting reimbursed on everything it is suppose to get reimbursed on this program. The balance the Sheriffs Department will rollover from 2002 is approximately $37,000. Pietrick indicated she felt there are many items contained in the General Fund that do not belong in the General Fund. There are grants that are legally restricted to uses and they show up in the General Fund as continuing appropriations. Pietrick intends to break them out into separate funds for 2004. Health and Human Services have expended 51% of its budget through June. Pietrick will work with Judy Ziegler at the Health Center to come up with some reports that provide more details. Nursing Home expenditures as of June 30, 2003 were $5,923,568.75; Nursing Home revenues as of June 30, 2003 were $6,308485.88; Excess Nursing Home revenues over expenses: $384,617.13. Swenson asked for checking mechanism to see how the available budget may end up. Pietrick added she needs to work with Zoning because she feels they are a cyclical department and based on the weather they may have some trends on when revenues and expenditures occur. Zoning may be $38,ooo under budget in revenues. b. 2004 Department Budget. Pietrick added $1o,ooo for Other Professional Services for GASB 34• Pietrick is waiting to get a proposal from American Appraisers. Under Staff Development she increased the budget significantly because National Government Finance Officers Association is being held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is a good conference to attend. She also included one state AAA or WCA conference. Pietrick has also increased dues and licenses. One of her goals is to pursue getting a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Bond rating agencies tend to give bond upgrades if you hold this certificate. In pursuing this certificate you must be a member of the National GFOA. The membership fee is $550 which covers by entity, not individual. It would cover three people in the County. Wentz said it would be to the County's advantage to have Pietrick join the GFOA. If membership includes three, Judy Ziegler and Rich Loney could become members. Rural circulation fees were also included under Municipal Library Funding in the amount of $473,376 along with a fee of $9,244 for usage of other County libraries for St. Croix County residents. it. Review of Remaining Departments' Mission and Business Responsibilities Statements. The Finance Committee will review the Clerk of Court's Mission and Business Responsibilities Statement at next month's meeting. 12. Administrative Coordinator Report. a. 2004 Department Budget. Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting indicated his budget basically remains the same from 2003. Whiting would like to attend the International City County Managers Association conference in 2004. b. Remaining 2003 Budget Issues - Contingency Fund, Health Insurance Fund, General Fund. Whiting reminded the committee members of the $77,ooo for the decertified social workers contract, the chiller and generator repair, and the Comm Center. C. 2004 Budget Issues - State Budget, software status, levy and revenues, GASB 34, 2004 Contingency Amount, Sales Tax Collection Status. Handout from Whiting addresses UW Estimates Sales Tax Yield. Under new levy commitments he added $47,000 as an increase in library payments over 2003 which includes the out of county payments. Additional considerations changes or additions included Comm Center in the amount of $185,000 coming from Building Fund; 2004 Shared revenue amount is $727,798 or $18g,679 less than 2003. There will be no Vine Street assessment for 2004 which was $3003 in 2003. Assessment payments are complete. $15o,ooo budgeted for in 2003 for potential litigation and not needed for levying in 2004. Not included are the election increase of approximately $5o,ooo and the 3% wage increase. Swenson indicated the new and upgrade position request had an estimate of $165,786. Malick suggested one offset could possibly be receipt of a check for sale of land for Highway 64 in New Richmond. Whiting stated the COP for 2004 is a bit over from 2003. Largest COP is the Nursing Home remodeling project. Whiting reported the Health insurance fund difference is the 3% the union employees are paying and the 1o% budgeted leaving a 7% gap. It would be prudent to get this in the fund with other interest earnings it would have had before doing the renewal. The amount is approximately $210,700. Rather than looking for it in this budget take it from the line item, create the deficit for the whole budget creating a budget amendment that would take it from reserves or from the Contingency Fund leaving a large negative number at the end of the year. Pietrick indicated the County would be better off accruing it as a liability (payable) and charge it to various departments based on the number of personnel that participate. Swenson asked Pietrick to bring back recommendation at the September meeting in terms of what direction we want to go. Whiting indicated we need to get ready for a renewal and hopefully by September he will have numbers and options. Swenson asked if it wanted $250,000 in the Contingency Fund for 2004. Standafer stated the amount should not be less. It is probably an adequate number but may end up with a higher number. d. Baldwin Corn Center Project Status. Communications Director Gary Kollman indicated Dairyland Power indicated their participation was predicated upon the County paying the difference between a guide tower and a self-supporting tower. Dairyland wants a guide tower and the County wants a self-supporting tower. The cost difference is $35,ooo. The bids show a difference of $69,397. The County's specifications required the successful bidder to inspect the dishes and the wave guides. Nearly all of the dishes and wave guides can be reused providing a saving of $114,538• Whiting indicated we are under the $185,ooo not to exceed amount. Kollman stated the total funds committed by the County are $1,253,079. Total funds needed are $1,163,427 leaving a total excess of $89,652. Swenson asked if there can be a ten year contract with renewal options vs. in perpetuity issue. Malick indicated the County has the ability to make any proposal for adding renters or finding other revenue streams related to the tower and it would be subject to technical feasibility. Dairyland would need to agree to those kinds of revenue http://l72.17.128.87/Committee/Minutes/2003/FinanceO3/finO8O7O3.htm 10/31/2011 Finance Committee - August 7, 2003 Page 7 of 8 streams which would be open to negotiation if necessary. Dairyland is not able to commit to a ten year contract because of their lender agreements. Standafer asked what assurances is the County required to give to Dairyland. Malick replied the County gives them an easement and a building the size of a garage in which the electronics will be located and the County will continue with lawn mowing and snow removal for access to the gate. Access will be controlled in that either the County or Dairyland must always be present when anybody enters the space. e. Status of WisDoT Consideration of County Land in New Richmond. Malick indicated the County is widely apart from WisDoT with what the appraisers said for the value. If we don't reach an agreement it could be adjudicated. If that comes to pass, Malick asked Timmerman if he would be the one litigating this matter. Timmerman indicated it's too premature to discuss but indicated he would probably seek outside help to do a condemnation litigation proceeding. Malick indicated there would be an incremental cost to the County to litigate this matter. Whiting indicated on August 6 he, Malick and Timmerman met with a representative from DOT regarding the property they are looking to take from the County for highway expansion project. The County's appraisal was $507,ooo, DOT's appraisal was $93,8oo. This has to do with diminution of value on farm property that would exist north of this new highway. The north property is cut off from the utilities which currently run under County Road K. DOT said they do not see loss of value on property north of County Road K based on this. The County asked if there would be any compensation or stubbing in utilities for the northern property and where would we be granted access to the northern property. Most important argument if County is cutoff we have lost value, may be possible to run utilities under the highway later but there is a cost to that. DOT offered the County access to their engineer and project manager to discuss these issues including driveways. Our appraiser indicated our value is dependent on what is currently out there. Whiting will provide more facts at the September Finance Committee meeting. Malick added if we are going to talk about counter offers we may need to go into a closed session. f. Preview of County Board New Richmond Land Use Exercise. Malick indicated the Board will be doing an exercise at the August County Board meeting for allocations of County land use. Dave Fodroczi will lead this discussion. The Board will discuss percentage of land use, appraisal for the market value, revenue stream analysis (property tax). At the August meeting reports will be given on some strategic planning. Standafer would like to see a list of land the County owns. 13. Potential action on a Dunn County Resolution offered in opposition to a proposal to freeze property taxes throughout Wisconsin. Swenson indicated this is a proposal some senators and representative to freeze property taxes throughout Wisconsin. There were no exceptions for new construction, inflation or population growth based on a freeze or levy based on a prior year's level. Swenson added there is no flexibility. Malick added the County Board previously adopted a resolution opposing the idea of freezes unless the State gave us the tools such as reducing some of the mandates. Malick is opposed to the idea of the present freeze which is limiting us to new growth for a three year period. Malick said we should go on record opposing the idea of a three year limitation. Swenson said this resolution proposes a freeze on property taxes at 2002 levy for 2003 and 2004. Motion by Malick, 2nd by Standafer to have a resolution drafted which puts St. Croix County in opposition to a levy freeze based on our 2002 dollar levy. Standafer added as part of the "Whereas" we indicate we have been responsible and the responsibility ought to lie at the local level. Malick suggested the resolution include language that St. Croix County is a high growth county. Whiting will assist with putting this together but Malick needs to review to give right impression. Carried unanimously. 14. Consideration of CDBG Housing Grant Option. Whiting indicated this is similar to a revolving loan only this is for low to moderate income housing. Swenson stated we should move ahead to first stage. Whiting said we have no obligation to Cedar Corporation. Malick suggested not using Cedar Corporation, but use WestCap or West Central Regional Planning (Ann Raid). Motion by Wentz, 2nd by Standafer to authorize Chair Swenson to sign the pre-application and the letter of intent. Carried unanimously. 15. Ozaukee County Resolution Offered in Opposition to various amendments to the Wisconsin State Statute pertaining to the payment of taxes and grace period proposals. Malick indicated the State of Wisconsin would propose to have grace periods in which there would be no penalties charged for late property tax payments. Motion by Malick, 2nd by Standafer to adopt a resolution opposing this proposal and ask the Administrative Coordinator working with Corporation Counsel to update the language and present it to the County Board in August. Carried unanimously. 16. Washington County resolution offered in support of Senate Bill 15 which creates a Joint Survey Committee on State Mandates and Funding. Motion by Malick, 2nd by Wentz to adopt and asked Administrative Coordinator working with Corporation Counsel to update the language to be as relevant as possible on the date of August County Board meeting. Carried unanimously. 17. Report of Revenue Shortfall Due to State Aid Cut for County Fair Premiums. County 4-H & Youth Agent Kim Reaman from the UW Extension office indicated in a memo the Governor's proposed budget eliminated all funding for state aid to county fair premiums. The Joint Finance Committee replaced 50% of the funding for the premiums for Jr. Fair exhibitors only. The shortfall for 2003 is approximately $3,200. This issue will also show in 2004. Motion by Malick, 2nd by Standafer to allow amount of 2003 shortfall from the Contingency Fund but for the next year's County Fair not to promise an amount. Wentz indicated it is important to keep young people interested in all different aspects of the fair and feels it's not an exorbitant amount for keeping our young people involved. Carried unanimously. 18. Finance Committee Meeting Schedule. Swenson indicated County Board Supervisor terms run up to the April election and asked if the Finance Committee will continue with the current Finance meeting schedule which is the Thursday closest to the ioth of the month. Pietrick requested a later meeting date in January because vouchers will not be ready for review before Finance meets. Malick indicated a post-review of vouchers is not inappropriate http:// 172.17.128.87/Committee/Minutes/2003/FinanceO3/finO8O7O3.htm 10/31/2011 Finance Committee - August 7, 2003 Page 8 of 8 and reviews can be done when the Finance Department is ready. Pietrick suggested a twice a month check run to level out workload. Motion by Malick, 2nd by Wentz to authorize the Finance Director to release the monthly checks even though the review of the vouchers by a Finance Committee member has not yet occurred. Carried unanimously. Motion to adjourn by Wentz, 2nd by Malick. Meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m. un t CARIitCIIA6L ROAD- Ilk: DSON\YI A0t6 715-38646.... [AST UPDATE. Oct j, zuw DISCI.:ll\t P:R http://172.17.128.87/Committee/Minutes/2003/Finance03/fin080703.htm 10/31/2011