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LA CROSSE COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS

COUNTY BOARD PLANNING MEETING

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2007

The La Crosse County Board of Supervisors Planning Meeting was held on September 10, 2007 in the Administrative Center, Room B410.  Chair Doyle called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  The County Clerk, Marion I. Naegle, took attendance.  All supervisors were present except as noted:

County Board Chair Steve Doyle

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

County Administrator Steve O’Malley

• PROCLAMATION - LIBRARIES & UW EXTENSION MONTH

WHEREAS, educational programs for agricultural professionals, businesses, communities, families and youth are brought to the residents of La Crosse County; and,  WHEREAS, educational and library programs identify and respond to specific community needs for practical education, research and knowledge to improve the quality of life in local communities, to strengthen families, to increase the competitiveness of businesses and agriculture, and to develop leadership skills for managing resources and planning for the future; and,  WHEREAS, libraries provide recreational and educational resources in the pursuit of life-long learning; and, WHEREAS, UW-Extension programming combines faculty, campus-based specialists, and staff expertise in the areas of Agriculture/Horticulture; Community, Natural Resources and Economic Development; Family Living Education; and 4H & Youth Development; and, WHEREAS, UW-Extension faculty & staff and library staff are committed to educating the residents of La Crosse County in order to promote life-long learning and provide a more knowledgeable and informed community.  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the La Crosse County Board does hereby proclaim the month of September as La Crosse County Libraries and UW Extension Month, and urges all residents to join in recognizing the valuable contribution of persons dedicated to educating the residents of La Crosse County.

Motion to approve by Hammes/L. Pfaff passed unanimously with 5 excused – J. Johnson, Hampson, Sebranek, Schroeder and Rauk.

• Presentation and request regarding UW-La Crosse Stadium Project

Mike Desmond – University of Wisconsin La Crosse

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Dave Clements – Convention and Visitors Bureau

Al Trapp – Acting President of UWL Foundation

Dave Skogen – Co Chair of the UWL Stadium Project Campaign

• Mike Desmond - They have had meetings with Doyle and O’Malley and also Mayor Johnsrud and Mayor Bialecki.  They feel this project will have a huge effect on the area and that is why they felt the leaders of the community should have all the necessary information and how the campaign plans on funding the project.  It is going to be about a $15 million project and almost all of that money will be through donations with the exception of $600,000 that will come through the University system.  Mr. Desmond handed out a packet of information on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Veteran’s Memorial Field Sports Complex.  The packet included a colored picture of what the new stadium will look like, a list of the benefits of the project to the 7 Rivers Region, a list of fast facts, the timeline, frequently asked questions with answers, current stadium uses and potential uses and economic impact projections.  He briefly explained this information and highlighted some of the important issues.
• Dave Clements spoke on the dollar impact this project would have on the area.
• Mike Desmond is making a specific request of La Crosse County.  He already has verbal agreements with the Mayors of the City of La Crosse and City of Onalaska on this project.  He is asking La Crosse County to donate $250,000.  This will make a total donation of $1 million from the three governments agencies.  Question and answer session. 
• Dave Skogen addressed the parking questions.  He also said they have raised $10 million dollars and expressed his concern whether the project will succeed if the governments do not come forward with these donations.
• Senator Dan Kapanke spoke to the importance of the project and how much exposure and revenue will be brought to the area because of this new facility.
• Steve O’Malley spoke to the issue of La Crosse County allowing the University to use our bond rating to save money.  La Crosse County could save the University approximately $150,000 in interest per year on their loan in comparison to higher rates other lenders have offered.  
• Steve Doyle thanked the group for coming and reminded the supervisors that this was only an informational meeting and that there would be no votes taken on the issue at this time.  

• Update on recent flooding emergency

Jay Loeffler – Emergency Services Administrator

Keith Butler – Emergency Management Coordinator

Power point – Up to speed on what happened August 18-19, 2007 (pictures of the following were shown)

• Derailment of train east of Goose Island–5 cars ended up in the mud containing hazardous materials.
• Radar of storm
• Communications Center
  • 12 hours had 295 calls
  • Total calls 1,809
• Closing of State Road 35 for 6 days due to washouts and the high volume of construction equipment traffic
• A washout on Highway 35 just south of entrance to Goose Island Park – Sheets of asphalt washed into yards – 10 foot drop – created a stream that normally doesn’t exist
• Highway Department immediately began cleaning and repairing roads.
• A mudslide shoved a garage across the driveway and nearly over the side of the hill onto Highway 35 in Vernon County
• Old Town Hall Road – took road away
• A mudslide along the side hill off Carla Court knocked house off foundation
• It was a multi-agency response La Crosse and Vernon agencies
• Agencies that responded - about 37 agencies in total from areas around the County along with  State and Federal agencies.
• Goose Island and area was evacuated
• CTH K - Firefighters and Dive/Rescue team had to use a boat to do a swift-water rescue of a family from a home off CTH K    The attempt took almost 3 hours to get the people off their A framed roof.
  
   

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• No casualties or injuries in La Crosse County
• 400 – 500 Homes Affected
• 100 with Minor Damage
• 50 with Major Damage
• 10 condemned
• Force of water forced basement walls in
• Rushing water levels exceed five feet in some locations
• La Crosse County Command Vehicle was staffed for days
• Regional Hazardous Material Response Unit from La Crosse Fire Dept and one from northern Wisconsin assisted.
• Plum map – with hot zone (train)
• A hazardous material technician from Berlington Northern Railroad helped with the disaster
• Estimated County Expenses total $430,703.87 not including employee time
• Real heroes were the friends and families of the residents who jumped in to help out

Question and answer session

O’Malley wanted to thank all department heads and their staff for all the hard work and long hours they put in to get us through this disaster.

• Overview of County Administrator’s 2008 Budget

Power point

• 2008 County Admin. Budget: Context
  • State and Federal budgets uncertain - expect freeze to continued
  • Budget resolution
  • Strong Financial Position
  • County remains 3^rd lowest operating levy per capita – Tax mill rate is 58^th out of 72 Counties
• Budget Direction to Departments ‘08
  • 0% increase in Operating and Capital Expense
  • No new positions
  • Legitimate fee increases
  • Finance provides wage/benefit projections
• 75% of County Services are mandated by State or Federal Government
• 2008 Major Budget Challenges
  • Total Dept Levy Request = $29.116 million plus $736,000 for 23.56 FTE in positions
  • Health Insurance Increase estimated at 15% or $2.5 million
  • LEC/Jail Addition can be completed within debt rate cap
  • Alternate revenue sources help drop Lakeview Levy though must plan for major capital needs beginning in 2008
• 2008 County Administrator’s budget
  • Restrains Gross Expenses to a 4.0% increase
  • Levy = 12.9% of Gross Exp. 17.1% if CMO is excluded
  • Holds Total Levy Increase to 3.98%, 2nd lowest increase in past ten years
  • Yet this includes first year debt levy for LEC Addition of up to $29.5 million and reduces debt rate to .48 for 2008, then .52 for 2009 and beyond
  • Applies Excess Sales Tax for Hwy project (CTH V) plus targeted use of other reserves in some areas
• Actual Levy % Change & Projected Next Two Years (diagram)
• Employee and Population last Ten Fiscal Years (diagram)
• 2008 County Administrator’s Budget
  • Positions & Hours – General Operating Levy  Net +2.89
  • Library Levy   Net +.80
  • Positions & Hours funded w/o Levy
  • Human Services  Net +3.0
  • Solid Waste Net +1.25
  • CMO Net +11.0
  • Does not include
    • 15.6 positions

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• Long Term Solution for Health Insurance Costs
• Future Highway needs
• Reduced Indirect Cost revenue when CMO becomes regional MCO
• 5 FTE more jailers to staff LEC addition when complete
• US-La Crosse Stadium funding share
• Outside Agency requests for increase funding, or new funding requests
• Human Services Tax Levy History w/CMO Included (diagram)
• Lakeview Recent Levy History & Proposed (diagram)
• Total Rate Change: County $ Per Thousand (diagram)
• Most Recent Debt Levy Mill Rate History (diagram)
• Debt Levy Mill Rate History & Future – County imposed Debt Freeze @ .52 could be maintained
• 2008 Major Budget Decisions by County Board
  • Capital Budgeting: Highway
  • LEC Debt Service
  • Lakeview Levy, including Capital Needs
  • Jail Alternatives for Females
  • Justice Sanctions enhancements
  • Jail Staffing: 2008 and beyond
  • Sheriff Department Shift Vehicles
  • CMO/ADRC migration to regional MCO – impact on internal services
  • Storm Water Management Program
  • New Position Requests
  • Fees and Charges
  • Targeted use of reserves
• 2008 Budget: Results Summarized

• 2^nd lowest % levy increase in past 10 years
• Will provide options to complete LEC Addition within debt rate cap of .52/ 1,000 value
• Lakeview Health Care Levy will decrease
• Preserves existing service w/o major cuts
• Lakeview Business Park & Master Plan positioned to add over $50 million of commercial and $100 million of residential tax base, supporting share of infrastructure and generating County revenue

• Goal: Preserve options, consider multi-year impact
• 2008 Budget: Future Dates
  • Sept 18 LEC Committee
  • Sept 20 County Board
  • Week of October 10 – Committees begin budget review
  • Oct 15 Planning Meeting – Health Ins & Hwy needs
  • Oct 18 County Board – LEC Debt Resolution
  • Week of Nov 5 Committees complete budget review
  • Nov 12 Public Hearing
  • Nov13 Budget Adoption
  • Dates Needed
    • Public hearing on LEC/Jail Addition
    • Additional Budget review dates (Full Board and Committees)
    • Other dates
      • Discussion on dates
        • Wednesday, September 26, 2007 Special Meeting on the LEC Addition
        • Wednesday, October 3, 2007 Public Hearing on the LEC Addition

Discussion ensued.

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ADJOURN:

Motion by Hanson/Meyer to adjourn at 8:47 p.m. passed on a unanimous voice vote with 7 excused – J. Johnson, Gamroth, Hampson, Montgomery, T. Johnson, Sebranek and Rauk.

The above minutes may be approved, amended, or corrected at the next Board meeting.

I, Marion I. Naegle, La Crosse County Clerk, in and for the County of La Crosse, Wisconsin, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Journal of Proceedings of the La Crosse County Board of Supervisors Planning Meeting held Monday, September 10, 2007 and that it is the whole thereof IN WITNESS THEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO SET MY HAND AND AFFIXED THE OFFICIAL SEAL THIS 11^th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2007.