EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Special Meeting

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Administrative Center – Room 3220

1:00 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Doyle, George Hammes, Tara Johnson, Vicki Burke, Charles Spiker, Ralph Geary, Roger Plesha, Don Meyer, Jim Ehrsam

MEMBERS EXCUSED: None

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

STAFF & GUESTS: Steve O’Malley, Gary Ingvalson, Marion Naegle, David Lange, John Parshall, Jerry Huber, Steve Helgeson, Jeff Wolf, Mike Horstman, Jerry Huber, Jim Speropulos, Sharon Davidson, Mary Powell, Sharon Hampson, Ray Ebert, Jason Gillett, Reid Magney, Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Chairman Steve Doyle called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m.

ORDINANCE TO AMEND S. 2.01(2) ENTITLED “SUPERVISORY DISTRICTS” OF THE GENERAL CODE OF LA CROSSE COUNTY, WISCONSIN

MOTION by Geary/Burke to approve, as presented, the amendment to Chapter 2 pertaining to supervisory districts. David Lange reviewed. The Clerks for the City of La Crosse, City of Onalaska and Village of Bangor have requested boundary changes to certain supervisory districts so that they correspond with recent annexations. This ordinance codifies the changes to the affected supervisory districts. The Clerks and County Clerk want to avoid the extra expense incurred by having to create multiple ballot styles for elections and to minimize voter confusion over split supervisory districts. The changes should also be in place before December, 2007, prior to citizens taking out nomination papers for the next election. Motion carried unanimously. Board Chairman Doyle suggested for the November County Board meeting, to present the number of houses (increase or decrease) in each affected district.

REVIEW 2008 BUDGET – BEGIN REVIEW DEPT. BUDGETS, MAJOR DECISIONS AND DIRECTION BY COMMITTEE

Steve O’Malley reviewed, including some discussion and action as follows:

· County Treasurer – No changes other than wages and benefits. Supervisor Spiker questioned why Interest on Taxes Revenue now included in this budget. Steve O. noted per the request of the Treasurer, and that prior years’ revenue was in the Non-departmental budget; it was determined to also include the history in the Treasurer’s budget. Chairman Doyle suggested an asterisk be included at the bottom of the page noting, “Previously reflected in Non-departmental budget.”

· County Board / including Compensation and Health Insurance – Noted 4% salary increase was included for the Board Chair and same for the 35 County Board Supervisors. MOTION by Geary/Ehrsam to authorize a resolution that gives the Board Chair and the 35 County Board Supervisors a 2% increase effective April 2008, and another 2% increase effective April 2009. Motion carried unanimously. Supervisor Johnson questioned fairness of health insurance benefit, especially for very part-time employees. Per previous request of Supervisor Spiker, a handout was distributed relating to number of supervisors on the County health insurance plan, the cost by the County, the cost by the Supervisors, and amount of claims for 2006 and same information YTD for 2007. Suggestion to share the benefit equally and those who want health insurance can purchase their own. Noted that this was brought up during the 2007 budget process. Also pointed out that $10,000 was added to the County Board budget for a Public Survey though the process has not been determined.

· County Clerk – No changes other than wages and benefits.

· Elections – Increase due to more elections in 2008.

· Printing/Postage – Eliminated a Mail Processing Clerk and proposes a new position that is part of a merger with the IT Dept. that being a Document/Graphic Specialist; this new position will be included in the new positions resolutions.

· County Administrator – His contract and determination of compensation will be dealt with in November.

· Corporation Counsel – Changes include increase in wages and benefits, and decrease in outside legal counsel due to no expected arbitrations.

· Sheriff Department and Shift Vehicles – Jeff Wolfe reviewed the shift vehicle proposal that is included in the 2008 budget. The plan is to keep 5 used squads which will allow for 9 shift cars; while the deputy is off duty, he can take the car home; this will eliminate the pick up of the next shift person, thus saving staff time and being more efficient; also less auto usage and less maintenance costs; will keep the autos for 3 years vs. currently every 2 years. Steve O. noted in order to keep the budget down, he has taken $130,000 from the General Fund Balance, and $13,797 from Land Records Fund Balance to cover costs of mobile mapping. Also discussion on extra Psychiatric hours, cost of jail meals and use of kitchen, including jail inmate labor.

· Child Support – Expect $90,462 in State Aid; if changes in the State budget affects this revenue, will have to review other budget options, such as General Fund. Dave Lange noted that Federal Aid is based on performance so any staff cut would affect the performance as well as affect caseload.

· Insurance – This is for basic liability; $220,000 is for nursing homes and $60,000 for general coverage. Discussion on WMMIC coverage. Supervisor Geary suggested WMMIC make a presentation to the County Board.

· Information Technology (IT) – Noted elimination of Compliance Coordinator position, plus using $91,000 from 2007 carry forwards to be used for specific projects as well as $10,000 from Land Records Fund Balance to cover mapping software expense.

· Finance – No major changes other than wages and benefits. Noted a forthcoming proposal that will charge $1.00 for processing non-electronic payroll checks effective January 2008.

· Personnel – No changes other than wages and benefits.

· Retirees Insurance – Gary noted the $65,000 for Health Insurance is for the sick leave conversion that the County has approved.

· Unemployment Compensation – Relates to expenses.

· Indirect Cost Contract – Supervisor Spiker questioned why Indirect Cost Revenue increased by about $200,000? Gary was not sure and will get that information.

· Facilities – Noted $100,000 taken from General Fund for a potential Alternative Energy project as listed in Capital Improvements; if a project is determined, it would need committee and County Board approval.

· Long Range Capital Improvement – The biggest item is the LEC project which will be determined at tonight’s County Board meeting. Other expenses include updating for all 3 downtown buildings and $125,000 for parks and campgrounds improvements. Took $175,000 from Jail Assessment for: cell block improvement, demolish Huber Center, and digital recorders for the LEC video system.

At this time, a handout was distributed that included most current housekeeping changes to the 2008 County budget since the printing of the budget book. Supervisor Geary noted per County Board resolution, the Sustainability Consultant was at $10,000 – not $11,650 as listed, which is the maintenance savings for demolition of the Huber Center. A most current housekeeping listing would be presented at the November County Board meeting.

(The committee took a break at 3:00 p.m., returned at 3:10 and resumed the meeting.)

· Non-departmental – Stated shared taxes same as 2007.

· Harbor Commission – The City and County will retain their own budget per creation of the Joint Harbor Commission. Chairman Doyle noted because an entity produces revenue, doesn’t mean they get to keep it. Steve O. will check into the need for the expenses.

· Capital Budgeting: Highway – County Road “V” project cost is $1,350,000; that same amount was taken from excess sales tax vs. short term borrowing as was done in 2007.

· LEC Debt Service – Miscellaneous questions and discussion relating to 15-year debt, debt structure, early payoff, and refinancing.

· Lakeview Levy, including Capital Needs – Tax levy amount is about $200,000 less than 2007. Regarding the partnership with the other counties which could generate over $700,000 in one year, the revenue shown for 2008 is only $250,000; does not want to over estimate and may have unforeseen roadblock, etc. Based on future revenue stream from the partnership, significant capital expenditures are planned for future years. The partnership/collaboration is similar to multi-county CMO/MCO and does not require separate approval action by the State; the County needs to recognize all the laws in setting it up which is currently being done.

· Jail Alternatives for Females – In middle of RFP process with three proposals submitted; plan to hold interviews on October 30 and bring forth in November for approval; total operational cost is $300,000, of which $50,000 is from La Crosse Community Foundation and balance on the tax levy. Chairman Doyle expressed concern of having to keep the women’s jail open for a limited few while at the same time incurring costs for women alternative programs. Steve O. said the details need to be worked out with the Sheriff.

· Justice Sanctions Enhancements – One additional supervisor and some increase in hour. Caseloads have increased; currently seeing 223 on daily basis; also noted that staff are needed 24/7. Supervisor Spiker noted difference of $600,000 in costs as compared to 2007. Pointed out half of this is for the women alternatives program. Also increase in drug court costs that are no longer covered by grant dollars. Supervisor Geary noted ATTIC would like to provide similar services. Steve O. noted the need for case management, programming, trust, level of risk as part of the relationship with the Judges; ATTIC could not offer the same level of service, but did note future outside contracts will be considered.

· Jail Staffing: 2008 and Beyond – One new post position is needed for the new jail facility; added one position in the 2008 budget and will need 5 additional when new facility is ready.

· CMO / ADRC Migration to Regional MCO – Additional eleven positions based on projected increase for La Crosse County members. Used $1 million from Human Services Fund Balance for start up costs.

· Storm Water Management Program – This is an unfunded mandate. Supervisor Hammes noted the concept came from the federal government, to the DNR, and then to local government; looking at stormwater management for urbanized areas. Gregg Stangl reviewed the program in more detail. To help cover the costs, took $62,500 from Land Records Fund Balance for cost of Consultant Fees and Public Information.

· New Positions Requests – The new positions resolution will come back and go through the November approval process.

· Fees and Charges – These will be reviewed at the November 5^th County Board Planning session.

· Targeted Use of Reserves – Steve O. distributed copies of “2008 Budget Fund balances Applied to Offset Levy”. Total of fund balances used for 2008 is $3,252,703; total for 2007 was $1,414,971. By ordinance, the General Fund balance needs to retain 40-50% of your undesignated fund balance. Each of the fund balances were reviewed, including the dollar amounts used to help offset 2008 tax levy – as follows:

o General Fund – $130,000 for sheriff squad cars and $100,000 for alternative energy.

o Land Records Fund – $13,797 mobile mapping for Sheriff & same for IT at $10,000, and $62,500 for stormwater management.

o Self-insurance Health Fund - $37,481 for Occupational Health and $250,000 to offset health insurance increase.

o Landfill Proceeds from Escrow - $181,927 to offset debt payment and letter of credit.

o Special Assessment Jail Fund – $100,000 for cell block capital improvement.

o Aging Fund – $27,290 to offset levy increase. This is the amount needed to keep the meal site open in Town of Campbell; currently serving 4 and providing 29 carry outs on daily basis; this will be re-evaluated for 2009.

o Health Dept. Fund - $8,082 to complete electronic medical records project.

o Human Services Fund - $198,148 for DRI software update, $136,640 for Justice Sanctions as chargeback reimbursement, $100,000 for residential division programs, and $250,496 for Family & Children increase in costs.

o Excess Sales Tax - $296,342 for Economic Development budget and $$1,350,000 for County Road “V” project.

Supervisor Johnson said she liked the approach to the 2008 budget; it’s different than last year, and it’s much easier for the County Board to review, understand, and approve.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Hammes/Spiker to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 4:32 p.m.

Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder