DATE: October 17, 2008
Members present: Tommy Lee Bychinski, Marty Krueger, Joan Fordham, Steve Bach, William F. Wenzel
Others present: Kerry Beghin, Kathy Schauf, Joan Kenney, Richard MacDonald, Alan Langeteig, library supporters, Paul Endres, Tom Kriegl, Ellen Lee, media
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bychinski at 9:00 AM. Certification of open meeting compliance was given. Motion by Bach, second by Fordham to adopt the agenda. Motion carried.
Public Comment
Alan Langeteig, requesting funding for Boys & Girls Club as a fee for services.
Richard MacDonald, in favor of funding library original proposal. Friends of the Library and others who are in favor of libraries.
Joan Kenney, in favor of the Boys & Girls Club. Provided anecdotal examples of the benefit of Boys and Girls Club to families.
Ellen Lee, Treasurer of Friends of the Library, in favor of libraries.
Eric Powers, Sauk City resident in favor of reinstatement of library funding. It is a resource for public meeting space, home schooling, club activities, etc.
E-mail from Phyllis Willoughby, Bill and Helen Campbell regarding the benefit of libraries.
Discussion and consideration of the 2009 County Budget
Schauf and Beghin described additional information from the Department of Revenue that would allow the County an additional $421,760 in levy capacity in 2009. The State is projecting a 6% decline in sales tax from 2008 to 2009. The use of levy to fund contingency and/or reductions to sales tax projections was discussed as the best way to maintain capacity going into 2010.
Kriegl expressed concern over the rental revenue projections for the jail.
Motion by Bychinski, second by Krueger to reconsider the allocation to libraries. Motion carried.
Motion by Wenzel, second by Fordham to amend the library reduction in funding from $48,033 to $28,885; a
2.3% increase rather than the requested 5.77% increase; with a letter to the Library Board and member libraries regarding funding prospects for 2010 and beyond. Motion carried 4 - 1.
Motion by Bach, second by Krueger to reduce the sales tax projection by the entire $421,760 available. Motion carried.
Budget will be authorized for publication and a presentation of recommendations made on October 21, 2008. No amendments are in October. Wednesday, November 12, 2008 will be the public hearing.
Motion by Wenzel, second by Fordham to adjourn. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Steven Bach
Finance Committee Secretary