EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Administrative Center – Room 3220

4:00 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Steve Doyle, Vicki Burke, Charles Spiker, Ralph Geary, Roger Plesha, Don Meyer, Tara Johnson (exc/arr @4:05 & exc @6:14)    

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  George Hammes, Jim Ehrsam    

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None 

STAFF & GUESTS:  Steve O’Malley, Gary Ingvalson, Marion Naegle, Bill Shepherd, Bob Taunt, John Parshall, Donna Hanson, David Lange, Pam Semb, Dennis Osgood, Jerry Huber, Doug Mormann, Steve Helgeson, John Parshall, Mike McGuire, Mary Powell, John McDonald, Mike Desmond, Dave Skogen, Diane Brudos, Bob Hetzel, Sharon Hampson, Ann Fisher, Jeff Schroeder, John Medinger, Jill Billings, J. Terry Hanson, Ray Ebert, Jason Gillett, Brad Pfaff, Tom Rauk, Reid Magney, Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Board Chair Steve Doyle called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Plesha/Meyer to approve minutes of October 10 and 18, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes, Ehrsam and Johnson excused.          

CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION by Plesha/Geary to accept the following Consent Agenda items:

• September 2007 Investment Report (County Treasurer)
• November 2007 Account Transfers/Adjustments; one informational sheet sent with the agenda and another as a handout (Finance Dept.)
• Check Requisitions (none presented)

Motion carried unanimously; Hammes, Ehrsam and Johnson excused.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

FOLLOW UP AND TIMELINE FOR LA CROSSE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Steve O’Malley said the Planning, Resources and Development Committee discussed the possibility of holding a public hearing on the County Comp Plan on December 10^th at the monthly County Board planning session; this countywide public hearing would be the final wrap up of the development of the plan, and then move forward with the approval process.  Chairman Doyle suggested at next week’s County Board meeting, to receive input from the County Board relating to this.

TOP LEVEL EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION

Chairman Doyle said this relates to the proposed ordinance change pertaining to Department Heads age 50 or older to convert up to 10 days of vacation to deferred compensation; this relates to succession planning for the County.  He recommended a subcommittee or full committee to review this concept as well as ability of retention, and noted that it may take a special meeting; he asked for input.  Supervisor Spiker suggested full committee review.  There being no disagreement, Steve suggested such meeting sometime in beginning of 2008; the date will be determined at the December committee meeting.

RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROPERTY INSURANCE FUND

Gary Ingvalson reviewed.  The Fund was created and governed by Wisconsin Statutes and supervised by the Office of Commissioner which now requests approved resolutions showing authorization and participation in the Fund.  Premium cost of $71,984 is in the 2008 budget.  MOTION by Johnson/Geary to approve the resolution.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes and Ehrsam excused.

RESOLUTION RE ESTABLISHING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER (LEC) ADDITION BUILDING CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

MOTION by Burke/Meyer to approve the resolution.  Supervisor Burke noted it was approved unanimously in the Judiciary & Law Committee meeting.  She suggested, in addition, to have the Vice Chair of this new committee be a member of the Health & Human Services Board due to their jurisdiction over Justice Sanctions.   Motion carried unanimously; Hammes and Ehrsam excused.  Chairman Doyle noted any and all volunteers will be members of the new committee.  Supervisor Johnson suggested shortening the name of the new committee.  Noted an amendment can be offered at the County Board meeting.

2008 BUDGET – MAJOR BUDGET DECISIONS AND ANY DIRECTION/ACTION BY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

UW-La Crosse Representatives Requesting Funding Support for New Stadium – Mike Desmond, Diane Brudos, Dave Skogen, and Bob Hetzel addressed the committee as well as distributed a packet of information which included:  current stadium uses, potential new uses, economic impact projections, community benefits, project timeline, and new design/layout.  The funding request is for $250,000.  Mr. Desmond noted that if the new stadium does not occur, the WIAA State Track event will go elsewhere.  Chairman Doyle expressed concern of County offering a lump sum and the overall impact on the County budget.  He noted per the economic impact informational sheet that $11,628 is shown as loss of county sales tax dollars if the WIAA event were to move.  He offered this as an acceptable County donation for 2008, and possible similar dollars for future years, similar as is done for the La Crosse Airport.  He noted Onalaska and La Crosse are able to get additional room tax to be used toward their donation; the County does not have this capability.  Some discussion followed.  Supervisor Geary suggested some County in-kind, such as Highway Dept. assisting with hauling the demolished stadium materials.  UW La Crosse representatives said they would consider this as a pledge, including multiple year pledges from the County, and that this would assist them in their financial planning, but did note that the State typically does not approve in-kind work for construction contracts.  MOTION by Doyle/Johnson to recommend to the County Board for 2008, the addition of $11,600 to be taken from excess sales tax revenue as a donation to UW La Crosse for their stadium project.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes and Ehrsam excused.

2008 Budget Review - Steve O’Malley distributed four (4) handouts:  (1) Comparison of Tax Levy to Gross Expenditures (1999-2008); this will be a handout at the public hearing, (2) Administrator Proposed Corrections/Changes to the 2008 Budget, (3) Committee Recommendations and/or Changes to the 2008 Budget, and (4) Revised 2008 Fund Balances Applied to Offset Levy.  He reviewed each in detail.  The County has done everything to maximize other revenue sources and to stay within the value growth of the County.  Chairman Doyle noted some of the changes are policy decisions while others are accounting changes.  Supervisor Geary requested information on Undesignated Fund growth; Gary Ingvalson will handout that information at the Monday night County Board meeting.  Supervisor Spiker asked how he could introduce the elimination of health insurance for County Board members.  Chairman Doyle noted an amendment can be made on the County Board Compensation resolution that is on the agenda later in the meeting.  Steve O’Malley noted some budget changes were based on receipt of additional revenues.  He also reviewed the 3-4 placeholders as well as additional non-levy positions.  Recommended changes by committees:  (1) County Board compensation being 2% first term year and 2% for second term year, $11,600 from excess sales tax to UW La Crosse new stadium, $10,000 donation to YWCA CASA for Kids Program, $25,000 for dental care program, and add Nurse Practitioner position in Clinical Services.

RESOLUTION RE CHANGE IN GENERAL OPERATING LEVY POSITIONS AND HOURS FOR 2008 BUDGET

MOTION by Plesha/Geary to approve the resolution.  Steve O. noted a revised resolution was distributed that includes a minus .8 Community Health Nurse position in the Health Dept.; this was originally shown as a .1.  Motion carried unanimously Hammes and Ehrsam excused.

RESOLUTION RE CHANGES IN POSITIONS FUNDED BY A COMBINATION OF LEVY AND OUTSIDE SOURCES (NON-TAX LEVY) FOR 2008

MOTION by Meyer/Plesha to approve the resolution.  Steve O. noted a revised resolution was distributed that includes a 1.0 Sustainability Coordinator in Solid Waste, and a 1.0 Emergency Preparedness Specialist and minus .8 Secretary from Bio Terrorism Grant/Health Dept.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes and Ehrsam excused.

RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF INCREASES TO CERTAIN LA CROSSE COUNTY PERMITS, FEES, AND CHARGES FOR 2008

Steve O’Malley noted the fee listing was distributed at the Monday night planning meeting.  Question asked if fees were based on actual costs.  Noted yes in some cases while others are set by State Statutes or based on comparables with other counties.  MOTION by Johnson/Burke to approve the resolution which approves all 2008 fees, permits and charges effective January 1, 2008.  (See attached listing.)  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes and Ehrsam excused.  

RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZATION FOR THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATORS AND ADOPTION OF RATES FOR HEALTH AND DENTAL PLANS FOR NON-BARGAINING AND BARGAINING EMPLOYEES FOR 2008

Bob Taunt reviewed.  The third-party administrators qualify as sole-source vendors pursuant to County ordinance - Midwest Security for Gundersen Lutheran health plan, MMSI Inc. for Franciscan Skemp health plan, and Delta Dental for the dental plan.  Supervisor Spiker asked why the Fiscal Note was not included on the resolution.  Bob noted the health plans increased 14.27% and the dental plan increased 2.01%.  MOTION by Johnson/Meyer to approve the resolution, including the addition of Fiscal Note. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes and Ehrsam excused.       

RESOLUTION RE CANCELLATION OF OUTSTANDING COUNTY CHECKS

MOTION by Meyer/Plesha to approve the resolution.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes and Ehrsam excused.

RESOLUTION RE COMPENSATION FOR LA CROSSE COUNTY BOARD

MOTION by Burke/Meyer to approve the resolution which gives County Board members a 2% increase effective April 2008 and another 2% increase effective April 2009.  MOTION by Spiker/Johnson to amend the motion to eliminate County contribution for health and dental insurance premiums for County Board members.  Motion on the amendment failed on 2 to 5 vote:  Spiker-yes, Johnson-yes, Burke-no, Doyle-no, Plesha-no, Geary-no, Meyer-no; Hammes and Ehrsam excused.  Supervisor Ebert asked if the Board Chair received the same monthly salary as the other 34 County Board members.  The answer was yes.  Chairman Doyle reviewed the amount of time he spends on County business.  Motion carried on 6 to 1 vote:  Spiker-no; Hammes and Ehrsam excused.  

CLOSED SESSION (5:52 p.m.)

MOTION by Meyer/Spiker to enter closed session pursuant to 19.85(1)(c), Wis. Stats., to consider compensation or performance evaluation data of a public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility, to wit:  County Administrator’s Employment Contract.  Motion carried unanimously; Ehrsam excused.

OPEN SESSION (6:14 p.m.)

MOTION by Meyer/Burke to reconvene to open session.  Motion carried unanimously; Ehrsam excused.

REPORTED CLOSED SESSION ACTION

MOTION by Burke/Johnson to approve the resolution and the County Administrator contract with the presented changes as recommended by the Executive Subcommittee.  (Copy of contract is available in the County Clerk’s Office or Personnel Office.  Motion carried on 5 to 2 vote:  Spiker-no, Geary-no; Ehrsam excused.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Supervisor Spiker questioned the report on the two Deputy County Administrators that was a requirement at time of creation.  Steve O’Malley noted that he had reported back to the full County Board.

NEXT MEETING

Wednesday, December 12^th at 4:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Meyer/Plesha to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously; Ehrsam and Johnson excused.  The meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m.

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

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder