DATE: October 10, 2008
Members present: Tommy Lee Bychinski, Marty Krueger, Joan Fordham, Steve Bach, William F. Wenzel
Others present: Judy Ashford, Kerry Beghin, Pat Carignan, Carolyne Davis, Tom Dorner, Jenny Erickson, Jessica Fry, Kevin Fults, Michael Hafemann, Lynn Horkan, Bonnie Manning, Chip Meister, Vicki Meister, Bev Mielke, Mark Schauf, Kathy Schauf, Wendy Schneider, Don Stevens, Trish Vandre, Phil Wedekind, Kevin Wilkins, media
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bychinski at 10:30 AM. Certification of open meeting compliance was given. Motion by Wenzel, second by Fordham to adopt the agenda. Motion carried.
Public Comment
Fordham requested that the public speak at the time their budget issue is being discussed. All agreed.
Discussion and consideration of the 2009 County Budget
UW Baraboo representative Wedekind spoke to need of the repairs contingency budget. He gave examples of repairs and expenses. Krueger confirmed that the City of Baraboo has approved the budget as it was submitted by UW-Baraboo. Assistant Dean Davis spoke to the importance of maintaining the facilities. Motion by Krueger to restore the $12,800 repairs contingency budget, second by Wenzel. Motion carried.
Officers Shooting Range was discussed. C Meister said different options have been discussed. The project could make use of internal county resources, such as Tim Stieve and the Highway Dept. to accomplish needed upgrades. Spring Green Chief Wilkins spoke about the critical and mandated training offered at the range. Lake Delton Chief Dorner and Baraboo Lieutenant Schauf highlighted the benefits of the training at the range. The Chiefs said a raise in fees would not help with an outlay expense of this magnitude. Motion by Krueger to use remaining building project funds of $250,000, use county departments to help with work, and no tax levy, second by Bach. Motion carried.
Schneider of the Humane Society said the county funds 35% of the animal shelter's total budget. She highlighted the great staff , the facility quality and the great community image. She gave examples of their work and how they work with other county departments such as the Sheriff Dept. They are always over capacity and numbers continue to increase. The concern of funding employee benefits and the precedent was discussed. The need for a new van was also discussed. Motion by Krueger to restore the budget of $5,500 for a new van, second by Fordham. Motion carried.
For the Sheriff's Dept., C Meister indicated that $37,500 for radio upgrades will likely be approved from the state. Would like to add the outlay for squads back to the budget. Fry spoke about a new contract that will save juvenile holding costs and transportation for a total of $21,000 ($10,000 housing, $3,000 in fuel and $8,000 in transportation wages). Motion by Fordham to restore the marked and unmarked squad cars to the Sheriff Dept. budget, second by Bach. Motion carried.
Motion by Wenzel to not hire Planning and Zoning Interns for 2009, second by Krueger. Motion carried.
Krueger commented on his desire to have the Jail Diversion position. Motion by Krueger to eliminate an additional position in the Personnel Dept., second by Wenzel. Bach questioned a point of order and the involvement of the Personnel Committee. Krueger withdrew his motion, Wenzel withdrew his second. Motion dropped. The Committee discussed continued implementation of the Virchow Krause operational study with Executive & Legislative guidance.
Library funding at 100% was discussed. Library funding does not effect the levy limits calculation. Motion by Bach to fund the Libraries at the 2008 level, second by Krueger. Fordham and Wenzel commented that cutting to zero increase is not something they can support. Motion carried with nay votes from Fordham and Wenzel.
The Committee discussed the budgeted sales tax revenue in light of the recent economic events. Discussion concerning levying to the full limit allowed. Beghin reviewed the list as it exists. Motion by Fordham to reduce sales tax revenue by the favorable variance approximately $81,504, second by Wenzel. This can be adjusted slightly for rounding after health insurance adjustments and position removals are made. Motion carried.
Motion by Bach, second by Fordham to adjourn. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Steven Bach, Finance Committee Secretary