DATE: November 13, 2007
Members present: Tommy Lee Bychinski, William F. Wenzel, Marty Krueger, Tom Kriegl, Joan Fordham
Others present: Kerry Beghin, Kathy Schauf, Alan Langeteig, Jeff Maurer
The meeting was called to order and certification of Open Meeting compliance was given at 5:15 p.m.
The reordered agenda was approved on a motion by Fordham, second by Kriegl, and a unanimous vote of the Committee.
Alan Langeteig and Jeff Maurer from the Boys and Girls Club presented a one-time request for $10,000. Due to financial challenges, specifically cuts in federal funding, the club in Baraboo was forced to close. Their goal is to secure $172,000 for operating in 2008, as well as expand services to Lake Delton/Wisconsin Dells, Bluffview and Rock Springs. The Committee considered the best way to assist the program, without setting a precedent that allows for funding to outside agencies without adequate consideration.
The Committee further discussed possible changes to the 2008 budget. The levy limit worksheets were received from the Department of Revenue this morning, and they include a number of changes from the levy of $25,805,357 presented in October that were not anticipated. Primary among the changes were the exemption of bridge and library aids in total, not just their increases. In all, the County would be able to levy $969,229 more than proposed in October, if the County chose to levy to the maximum limit. The Committee discussed possible uses, and decided that levying these additional dollars for the purpose of the Health Care Center construction project would be an excellent use. If less would need to be borrowed, less would need to be repaid in interest costs. The Committee also discussed the Planning & Zoning Committee's likely amendment to return $10,000 to the Surveyor's budget and the $10,000 for the Boys and Girls Club. Motion by Fordham, second by Wenzel to recommend to the County Board levy of the maximum dollars, with any undesignated amounts for offsetting the debt needed for the Health Care Center construction. Motion carried.
Motion by Wenzel, second by Fordham, approve the payment of the county bills in the amount of $357,635.58. Motion carried.
Motion by Kriegl, second by Wenzel to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Wenzel
Finance Committee Secretary