DATE: May 12, 2009
Members present: Steve Bach, Tommy Lee Bychinski, Joan Fordham, Marty Krueger, William F. Wenzel
Others present: Kerry Beghin, Amanda Blomberg, Penny Clary, Jessica Fry, Elizabeth Geoghegan, Kim Gochanour, Michael Hafemann, Lynn Horkan, Jeff Jelinek, Michelle Koehler, Daryl Kohlhoff, Kathy Schauf, Mark Steward, 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 Wenzel, to adopt the agenda. Motion carried. Motion by Bach, second by Wenzel to adopt the minutes of the previous meetings April 8, 21 and 23, 2009. Motion carried.
Public Comment: Daryl Kohlhoff, Baraboo citizen, expressed his concern about the Sheriff‘s Department jail information and financial reporting.
Communications: None
Discussion and possible action on utilizing WiDOA Comprehensive Planning Grant dollars to pay for one Planning Intern for summer 2009.
Steward requested authorization to use a portion of Department of Administration Comprehensive Planning Grant to pay for one summer intern. The 2009 budget has no funding for interns. Motion by Fordham, second by Bach, to utilize WiDOA Comprehensive Planning Grant dollars to pay for one planning intern for summer 2009. Maximum funding authorized up to $7,000 to include hourly rate and benefits. Motion carried.
Review of preliminary 2008 audit results.
Amanda Blomberg, manager in charge of County audit from Virchow Krause, reviewed some areas of interest noted in the audit work. Departmental accounts receivable were discussed. Gochanour spoke of transition to new billing system at the Health Care Center. Blomberg also reviewed the new liability reported for other post employment benefits (OPEB) and the workers compensation excess allocation resulting from self insurance.
Amending the County Role in the Community Development Block Grant - Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (CDBG - HMGP).
Jelinek talked about four areas in the County with home buy out programs: Spring Green, Reedsburg, Excelsior, and Rock Springs. The County was asked to be financial agent for Excelsior and Rock Springs to ease the paperwork management for these communities. Motion by Krueger, second by Wenzel, to amend the County role in the Community Development Block Grant - Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (CDBG - HMGP). Motion carried.
Presentation of jail state prisoners report.
Fry and Hafemann reviewed the distributed April 2009 report. Currently revenues and expenses are on target. Fry noted April was a three pay period month.
Update on financial performance of the Health Care Center (HCC) as of March 31, 2009.
Clary distributed updated reports ending 3/21/09. HCC accounts receivable were discussed. Gochanour noted many 2008 “write offs” were contractual adjustments. HCC is on track for bed numbers at the new facility. There currently is a waiting list for residents. Continuing to build rehabilitation business. Gochanour touched on the building project progress and the plan for the transition of residents to the new facility.
Presentation of quarterly accounts receivable reports as of March 31, 2009.
Vicki Meister addressed the accounts receivable reports for the Clerk of Courts. The Committee requested Human Services appear next month to review their reports.
Review of refinancing of long-term debt and debt market update.
Baird continues to monitor the debt for refinancing. Will continue to monitor and will meet if needed to take advantage of climate.
Update on flood finances.
Beghin reviewed flood finances. In last few months flood aid is winding down. Bottom line for county, as currently reported, will not change much.
Discussion and possible resolution Authorizing Adjustment to the 2008 Budget.
Beghin reviewed the proposed resolution. Motion by Wenzel, second by Bach, to approve resolution authorizing adjustment to the 2008. Motion carried.
Update on 2010 budget process.
Schauf discussed the State’s worsening financial condition and the potential remedies being considered. Schauf has been meeting with staff to discuss and strategize county issues in order to be proactive. Schauf stated the need to look at long term and short term solutions to be sure we can still meet the County mission. Koehler spoke to personnel actions being considered by other counties and the State. For the long term, need to look at the County structure and how services are provided.
Presentation of County financial report.
Financial reports were included in the agenda.
Treasurer’s Department Update.
Geoghegan updated the Committee on recent Treasurer Department activity. Local financial institutions and their rankings were discussed. Motion by Fordham, second by Bach, to receive the Treasurer’s report and approve payment of the invoices from the Treasurer’s Department in the amount of $180,216.82. Motion carried.
Discussion of Investment proposals (from January 2009).
Motion by Krueger, second by Wenzel, to postpone the discussion on investment proposals for three more months. Motion carried.
Consideration of Resolution Designating County Depositories; Establishing Investment and Related Financial Procedures.
Beghin commented that this is part of statues that needs to be addressed routinely. No changes to policy, just renews the current policy. Motion by Wenzel, second by Bach, to approve Resolution Designating County Depositories; Establishing Investment and Related Financial Procedures. Motion carried.
Consideration of Resolution Opposing AB 149 Proposing Interest Rate Reduction on Tax Delinquent Properties.
Geoghegan reviewed the proposed resolution. Currently there are 122 properties where 2005 taxes have not been paid. Motion by Wenzel, second by Fordham, to approve Resolution Opposing AB 149 Proposing Interest Rate Reduction on Tax Delinquent Properties. Motion carried.
Accounting Department Update:
Beghin pointed out the highlights of the Accounting Department’s recent activity. Motion by Bach, second by Fordham, to receive the accounting report and approve payment of the Accounting Department invoices in the amount of $48,576.4 and County invoices in the amount of $3,747,801.3. Motion carried.
Next Meetings.
The next regular Finance meeting will be June 9, 2009 at 8:30 am.
Motion by Wenzel, second by Fordham, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Steven Bach, Finance Committee Secretary