Finance Committee


DATE: November 6, 2007

Supervisors Present: Joan Fordham, Tommy Lee Bychinski, William Wenzel, Marty Krueger, Thomas Kriegl
Others Present: Kathy Schauf, Kerry Beghin, Carol Herwig, Todd Liebman, Brad Viegut, Joan Kenney, Lowell Haugen, Media

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bychinski at 8:30 AM. Certification of open meeting compliance was given.

Motion by Fordham, second by Krueger to adopt the agenda. Motion carried.

Motion by Wenzel, second by Kriegl to approve the minutes of the previous meeting with an addition made to the paragraph referring to Schauf's presentation outlining the proposed 2008 Sauk County budget. Motion carried.

Public comment:
Joan Kenney appeared on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club. The Club here in Baraboo chose to close its doors recently due to financial uncertainty. The Club is requesting a donation from Sauk County to help them reopen. Federal appropriations have been channeled to the Boys and Girls Club in the past through the Department of Justice. There is no appropriation budgeted for 2008. Kenney suggested a donation of 1% of what the County normally gives to the Sheriff's department which will serve as a preventative measure.

Communications:
None.

Review of budget process:
Each year, new ideas are utilized to improve the process. For the 2008 budget, the Finance Committee took a more active role in developing policies and priorities, and the County Board developed goals. Enhancements to the 2009 budget will likely include revamping the new and reclassified position request process. Schauf and Liebman explained the County budget process and specifically addressed the question of whether or not the budget can be amended by the County Board at their October meeting. Liebman explained that the October meeting is normally the time when the County Board simply gives approval to publish the budget. Kriegl pointed out that the October Board meeting is the only opportunity that some board members feel they have to request an amendment.

Consider resolution accepting donation to the Commission on Aging:
Item withdrawn.

Consider Initial Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds or Promissory Notes in an Amount not to Exceed $15,000,000:
Brad Viegut from Robert W. Baird & Company explained the initial resolution that has been prepared to start the borrowing process to cover the costs of construction of the Health Care Center. Motion by Fordham, second by Wenzel to forward the resolution to the County Board. Motion carried.

Consideration of contract with Quarles & Brady LLP for bond counsel services:
Beghin explained a contract with Quarles & Brady who will provide the County with legal services related to the issuing of bonds to cover the cost of building the new Health Care Center. Motion by Fordham, second by Wenzel to approve the contract with Quarles & Brady. Motion carried.

Discussion of possible budget overrun of the Register in Probate:
Jim Daniels requested that Beghin inform the Finance Committee of the expense overrun that has already occurred in the Juvenile Clerk of Court legal fee line item. Daniels also advised the committee of the likely overrun that will occur within the Register in Probate legal fee line item before year end.

Consider Ordinance Establishing Taxes to be Levied in Sauk County for the Year 2008:
The State has notified the County of an updated net new construction number, raising Sauk County's levying ability by $15,377. Motion by Krueger, second by Wenzel to recommend at the November County Board meeting that the ordinance be amended to increase the county levy by $15,377. Motion carried. Krueger recommended that the Finance Committee meet before the County Board meeting to discuss any other amendments that may be needed to the budget. Motion by Krueger, second by Fordham to advance the ordinance to the County Board with levy amounts the same as presented to the County Board in October. Motion carried, Kriegl opposed.

Accounting Department Update:
Motion by Fordham, second by Wenzel to approve payment of the accounting department bills in the amount of $922.77 and the County bills in the amount of $3,170,779.14. Motion carried.

Treasurer's Department Update:
Motion by Krueger, second by Wenzel to approve the payment of the treasurer's department bills in the amount of $4,476.72. Motion carried.

Next meeting is on November 13th at 5:30. The next regular Finance Committee meeting will be on December 11th at 8:30 a.m.

Motion by Wenzel, second by Fordham to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

William F. Wenzel
Finance Committee Secretary