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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Minutes 2009 10 06_approved FINANCE/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE October 6, 2009 The Finance/Executive Committee of the Grant County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. in Room 266 of the Administration Building, Lancaster, WI, pursuant to the adjournment of the September 22, 2009 meeting. The meeting was called to order by Chair Mark Stead. Members present were John Patcle, Stephen Adrian, Robert Keeney, and Lynn Moris. Eugene Bartels asked to be excused; Hans Kostrau was absent. John Patcle, seconded by Stephen Adrian, moved that the meeting is in compliance with the open meeting law. Motion carried. Lynn Moris, seconded by Robert Keeney, moved to approve the agenda. Motion carried. Robert Keeney, seconded by Stephen Adrian, moved to approve the minutes of the September 22, 2009 meeting. Motion carried. Chair Mark Stead noted that the WPPA and Teamsters unions voted against any concessions. He read into the record an e-mail Personnel Director Joyce Roling received from Deputy Jay Fitzgerald, WPPA steward, who requested it be shared with those voting on the budget. Chair Stead also read the Employee Relations Committee minutes from October 1, 2009 meeting regarding county board compensation and noted that item is also on the County Board agenda. The Employee Relations Committee also recommended increasing non-represented wages in 2010 by the same percentage as the AFSCME union increases. With an increase for non-represented staff and $100,000 to replace the roof on the Youth and Ag building, the amount needed to balance the 2010 budget is $458,774. Stephen Adrian stated that no one wants to raise taxes but we need to look at the best interests of the county long-term. Maynard Behncke expressed concern about future budgets if carryover is used to balance the 2010 budget. Pat Schroeder suggested the county may have to eliminate the Personnel Department and have the committee take over that responsibility. John Patcle asked for input from the department heads in attendance. Highway Commissioner Dave Lambert, Health Director Jeff Kindrai, Orchard Manor Director of Finance Carol Schwartz, and Sheriff Keith Govier stated that they use the services of the Personnel Department quite often and would be unable to keep up on all the legal changes themselves. Child Support Administrator Verda Nemo said the county created a Personnel Director position because some county board members were uncomfortable making those kinds of decisions. Neal Blackburn, Director of Unified Community Services, stated that a bad hire is one of the most costly things the county can do. Supervisor Linda Adrian stated she had experience as a county department head both with and without a Personnel Director and would never have given up that position. She said there are two departments without mandates and suggested the county may need to look at those. Robert Keeney suggested borrowing from the farm carryover to replace the Youth and Ag roof. Maynard Behncke indicated he was not opposed to that but it is necessary to keep some reserve. Orchard Manor borrowed from the farm fund for the computer upgrade and may need to borrow up to $400,000 for the roof. John Patcle, seconded by Stephen Adrian, moved to recommend to Finance/Executive Committee October 6, 2009 2 the Orchard Manor/Farm Committee use of $100,000 from the farm account to replace the roof on the Youth and Ag building, to be repaid over five years. The motion carried. Pat Schroeder asked if department heads thought a 0.5% or 1% cut in department budgets was possible. Dave Lambert indicated highway had a couple of options including mandatory furloughs which would reduce the level of service. Funds could also be pulled out of mats and seals, but roads would suffer although it might not be apparent for five or six years. Mark Stead stated his personal opinion is that the county should not fall into the same trap as the state by taking money from the transportation fund. Jeff Kindrai said his state funding is still up in the air, but he is looking at a 6% cut as it stands. Verda Nemo reminded the Committee that expenditure reductions may also result in reduced revenue if a department receives state and federal reimbursement. Sheriff Govier said his department could come up with some savings by working with the union on training days. He was not sure if the savings would be as much as 0.5%. Any furloughs would have to be for deputies, as that is not possible for jail staff. Neal Blackburn stated that Unified has reduced staff 25% over the years and is in a good financial position. They could possibly take some reduction in levy, although the financial situation could turn around quickly. He would have to discuss it with his committee. Stephen Adrian asked Sheriff Govier about the letter from Jay Fitzgerald which indicated personnel who volunteer for SWAT teams receive no extra compensation. Sheriff Govier replied that they are paid for their hours but receive no on-call pay to be available. The consensus of the Committee was to request input from the full County Board at this evening’s meeting on ideas to address the remaining $358,774 necessary to balance the budget. Robert Keeney, seconded by John Patcle, moved to adjourn to November 3, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Motion carried.