Finance Committee


DATE: Friday, July 14, 2006

Members present: Marty Krueger, Joan Fordham, Tommy Lee Bychinski, Tom Kriegl, Bill Wenzel

Others present: Kerry Beghin, Carol Gasser, Kathy Schauf, Pat Carignan, Randy Stammen, Chip Meister, Carl Gruber, Jeanne Leeck, Virgil Hartje, Steve Muchow, Tim Stieve

Chairman Bychinski called the meeting to order at 10:45 a.m. Certification that the open meeting requirement was met. Motion by Fordham, second by Wenzel to adopt the agenda. Motion carried. Motion by Kriegl, second by Krueger to approve the minutes from previous meetings.
Motion carried.

Public Comment

None.

Communications

None.

Business Items

Discussion and possible resolution for the purchase of an emergency service's driver training simulator.

Simulator training is designed to prepare drivers to react better in an accident. A report is created telling the driver what they should be doing better. Training would be highly effective for Highway drivers who have no ability to train in plowing snow without actual poor road conditions. Sheriff deputies have mandatory driving training, and simulator use can count toward this training. Approximately $32,000 will be borrowed, if needed, from the contingency fund in 2006 to allow this purchase now. This would be reimbursed from self-insurance funds in 2007. Charges for other entities for use of the simulator and possibly a trainer will be discussed. Motion by Fordham, second by Wenzel to approve the resolution. Motion by Kriegl to postpone for a month pending distribution of written details; no second received. Original motion carried, with Kriegl opposed.

Consider resolution for authorization to purchase 2006 Ford Crown Victoria replacement squad car.
A Sauk County officer was hit head-on by a drunk driver, completely destroying the County's squad car. A replacement vehicle was already purchased under emergency rules since there were no other vehicles available in the Sheriff's fleet. The replacement cost was $20,704, with insurance proceeds of $14,650, $3,000 for the self-insurance fund, and the remainder from available funds within the Sheriff's budget. Motion by Fordham, second by Wenzel to approve the resolution. Motion carried.

Discussion of 2007 budget.

New and reclassified position requests were acted upon earlier this morning. An addition to the 2007 budget preparation is personnel projections from all departments. This should help the County better understand the staffing needs projected five years into the future.

Update on Health Care Center business office.

Beghin distributed a summary of steps that have been taken to make sure essential tasks continue to be completed in the absence of a business manager. Increased involvement from Accounting staff and further training of Health Care Center staff are key changes. Supervisor Kriegl expressed very deep concern that the problems of two years ago not be repeated.

Treasurer's Report

Carignan updated the Committee on departmental activities. The grace period on property tax payments will not take effect until the County's 2008 budget year. The State's sales tax overpayment will not be taken back January of 2008 at the earliest. Motion by Fordham, second by Wenzel, to approve the payment of the Treasurer's invoices in the amount of $1,426.87.
Motion carried.

Accounting Department Report

Beghin updated the Committee on activities of the department for the past month, including upcoming projects and issues. Motion by Fordham, second by Kriegl to approve the payment of Accounting invoices in the amount of $1,933.71 and county invoices in the amount of $3,311,320.22.
Motion carried.

Motion by Wenzel, second by Kriegl to adjourn.
Motion carried.

The next regular Finance Committee meeting will be August 8, 2006.

Respectfully Submitted: William F. Wenzel, Secretary