Finance Committee

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Calendar Date:
Friday, June 12, 2020 - 8:30am

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Meeting Information

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  • Minutes
PDF icon finance_committee_agenda_06-12-20.pdf (117 KB)

SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

MEETING NOTICE/AGENDA

 

COMMITTEE:   FINANCE

DATE:                Friday, June 12, 2020

TIME:                 8:30 a.m.

PLACE:              Room 213, West Square Building, 505 Broadway, Baraboo, WI  53913

 

This meeting is open to the public. However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the public may wish to watch the meeting on streaming video which can be found on the County’s webpage at https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/meetings . No one should attend the meeting if they are experiencing COVID- or flu-like symptoms, have a fever, sore throat or recently experienced a loss of taste or smell. Masks are encouraged but not required. Social distancing of 6 feet is required.

 

REASON FOR MEETING:                            REGULAR

 

SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION:

  1. Call to Order and Certify Compliance with Open Meeting Law.
  2. Adopt Agenda.
  3. Public Comment.
  4. Appearances.
    1. Tom Diehl, Trustee, Village of Lake Delton.
    2. Mark Whitfield, General Manager, Noah’s Ark.
    3. Andy Waterman, Outlets at the Dells.
  5. Consider resolution Authorizing A Taxation District To Waive Interest And Penalties On Property Tax Payment Installments Due On Or After April 1, 2020
  6. Adjournment.

 

COPIES TO:

Dorner                    Eberl                       Flint                        Krueger                  McCumber            Beghin                   Horkan

Bretl                       Geoghegan           

 

PREPARED BY:                                                                                 Accounting Department

 

Any person who has a qualifying disability that requires the meeting or materials at the meeting to be in an accessible location or format should contact Sauk County (608-355-3269 or TTY 608-355-3490) between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, exclusive of legal holidays, at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting so that reasonable arrangements can be made to accommodate each request.

PDF icon finance_committee_minutes_06-12-2020.pdf (122 KB)

Sauk County Finance Committee                                                                                               Friday, June 12, 2020

Room 213, West Square Building, Baraboo

 

Members present: Tom Dorner, Lynn Eberl, Mike Flint, Marty Krueger and Tim McCumber

Others present:  Merije Ajvazi, Tom Diehl, Joe Eck, Liz Geoghegan, Lynn Horkan, Jared Pinkus, Andy Waterman, Ed White and Mark Whitfield

 

The meeting was called to order by Krueger at 8:30 AM.  Certification of open meeting compliance was given.  Motion by Flint, second by Eberl to adopt the agenda. Motion carried. 

 

Public Comment:  White noted his support for the resolution.

 

Appearances:  Deihl, Trustee for the Village of Lake Delton, reviewed the effects of the COVID-19 shutdown and the efforts made with government, Wisconsin Counties Association and the tourism industry.  He noted the importance of Act 185 due to the extended shutdown and the hardships businesses are experiencing.  He commented that tourism is a very capital intensive business.  The lockdown length has caused local banks to maximize loans and deferrals to help area businesses.  There will be no money to pay property taxes in July and the interest and penalty will be devastating to the businesses.  He noted that if the Finance Committee and County Board passes this resolution businesses will have time to accumulate cash to pay taxes.  Diehl applauds the incentive to get all 39 municipalities on board.

 

Whitfield noted his appreciation for community support.  He commented on the reduction of staff and wages/pay cuts.  He highlighted the recent investments to the Wilderness Resort, all cash was outlayed for the future of the company: $4.4 million for a 400 bed employee dorm and $3 million for upgrades across the park.  The resort plans to open June 20 to the general public.  Businesses are being very responsible with reopening to protect employees and customers though the crisis.  It will take multiple weeks once open to entice people to come back. Revenue for the rest of year will be below prior years.  Adoption of Act 185 would substantially help businesses due to current status of cash flow.  The Committee discussed employee shortage and recruiting efforts.  Most businesses will likely not be at full capacity for the full summer.  Enhanced cleaning and COVID-19 training is part of reopening. 

 

Waterman representing the Outlets at the Dells noted the mall was shut down for 3 months.  The national retailers have not paid rent and 1,000 employees were laid off by respective employers.  The economic impact has hit businesses and families.  The mall is now open and businesses are being responsible and taking protective measures.  Most stores are only able to operate at 25% capacity, and sales projections are down significantly. It will take time for businesses to get back to their base.   

 

Consider resolution Authorizing A Taxation District To Waive Interest And Penalties On Property Tax Payment Installments Due On Or After April 1, 2020

Krueger reviewed the background for this meeting and highlighted conversations with Lake Delton business owners and others over the last week.  The Committee discussed the financial effect to the County.  Motion by Eberl, second by McCumber to take the motion off the table and reconsider the resolution Authorizing A Taxation District To Waive Interest And Penalties On Property Tax Payment Installments Due On Or After April 1, 2020.  Motion carried.  McCumber reviewed the changes made to the resolution (numbers 4 and 5) concerning multiple settlements of property taxes for districts dependent on adoption of the waiver.  He noted about half the municipalities have committed to adopting the resolution.  Settlement dates and possible second settlement were discussed.  Flint pointed out a wording issue in number 5, it should read “For those taxation districts that authorize a waiver…”  Geoghegan commented the grace period would also apply to the October due date.  Motion by Flint, second by Eberl to Authorize a Taxation District to Waive Interest and Penalties on Property Tax Payment Installments due on or After April 1, 2020 with the wording adjustment to #5.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Dorner, second by Flint to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Lynn Eberl

Finance Committee Secretary