The La Crosse County Board of Supervisors Planning Meeting was held on September 8, 2008 in the Administrative Center, Room B410. Chair Steve 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:

DISTRICT - NAME		DISTRICT – NAME

1	Richmond, Andrea	19	Keil, Robert
2	Geary Jr., Ralph	20	Bina, Donald
3	Veenstra, Joe	21	Manthei, Dennis
4	Johnson, Jai	22	Ebert, Ray A
5	Erickson, Robert	23	Gamroth, Tammy
6	Billings, Jill	24	Pfaff, Leon.
7	Plesha, Roger	25	Schroeder, Jeffrey
8	Freedland, Maureen	26	Burke, Vicki
9	Hampson, Sharon – Present 6:04 p.m.	27	Pedretti, Marilyn
10	Wood, Margaret	28	Doyle, Steve
11	Kader, Audrey	29	Pfaff, Brad – Excused
12	Flood, Bridget	30	Spiker, Charles
13	Brockmiller, Bill	31	Fisher, Ann
14	Medinger, John	32	Benrud, Arlene
15	Mach, Beverly	33	Berns, Jim – Present 6:04 p.m.
16	Sebranek, Gerald – Excused	34	Rauk, Tom
17	Meyer, Donald	35	Bilskemper, Joe
18	Johnson, Tara

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 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 area 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 Wood/Rauk passed unanimously with 2 excused – Sebranek and B. Pfaff and 2 absent – Hampson and Berns.

RESOLUTION #49-9/08 RE: DEVELOPMENT OF AN ADOLESCENT CENTER IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE FACILITY OF LA CROSSE COUNTY

WHEREAS, the La Crosse County Human Services Department has legislative responsibilities under Wisconsin Statutes 48, 938 and 51 to respond to the needs of families and children who need support in addressing issues of disabilities, delinquency or child maltreatment; and, WHEREAS, the Department of Human Services closed its “licensed shelter” facility in its Juvenile Detention Center on 12/16/05 due to lower utilization by La Crosse and other counties; and, WHEREAS, the Department of Human Services piloted a “Reporting Center” for juveniles in 2007, primarily focused on youth within the juvenile justice system which lasted until February 2008; and, WHEREAS, the Department has assessed the program and fiscal need for the development of a comprehensive Adolescent Center within the existing Juvenile Detention Center, licensed as a small group eight-bed shelter by the Department of Health Services; and,

WHEREAS, such a comprehensive center would divert the need to place children and youth in crisis in more restrictive and costly residential or hospital placements by providing assessment and assuring appropriate referral for services; and, WHEREAS, six counties in the region have indicated their interest for purchasing a bed for youth and children in need of such a service as provided by the Adolescent Center so that of the eight beds four will be reserved for La Crosse County, three will be contracted to other counties, and one will be left on a first come first serve basis; and, WHEREAS, the county will be able to access Medical Assistance revenue and client fees to contribute to the overall cost of this service; and, WHEREAS, the staffing for this facility will include four full-time employees, three part-time employees, and four standby workers; supervision and administration will come from current Juvenile Detention staff; and, WHEREAS, that the estimated annual cost of running the Adolescent Center is $361,133 and less than the current 2008 budgeted amount of $419,799 for running the Juvenile Reporting Center which closed in February 2008. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the La Crosse County Board authorizes the Human Services Department to pursue the development of the Adolescent Center, including completion of state licensing, contracts with other counties for utilization, update of the physical facility and the hiring and training of staff. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Board Chair and County Clerk are authorized to execute any contracts to effectuate this resolution, after approval by Corporation Counsel. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the estimated opening date for the Adolescent Center is October 1, 2008.

FISCAL NOTE: The total cost for the Juvenile Reporting Center for 2008 was originally budgeted at $419,799. Of this amount, $406,799 was funded through tax levy. In comparison, the total projected cost for the Adolescent Center for 2009 is $361,133, of which only $179,733 would be funded through tax levy. Therefore, the Adolescent Center is anticipated to require $227,066 less in annual tax levy funding than the Juvenile Reporting Center.

The closing of the Juvenile Reporting Center in February of 2008 resulted in a cost savings for the Department. Total costs were only $60,210 for 2008. This left approximately $347,000 of tax levy available for reallocation within the Department. Although a portion of these funds have already been designated to other areas, enough remains to fund the opening of the Adolescent Center in October of 2008.

If the Adolescent Center opened on October 1, 2008, the total estimated cost of running the Center for October through December of 2008 is $96,283, which includes one-time start up costs. This would be partially offset by projected revenue generated through fees charged for the use of the Center. Total out-of-county revenue is expected to be $32,850 and in-county revenue is expected to be $12,500 for total projected revenue of $45,350. The remaining cost of $50,933 would be funded through the use of county levy.

Motion by Burke/Meyer to reconsider the failed resolution Item #15/8 from the August 21, 2008 County Board meeting. Discussion. The motion passed on a voice vote with 1 no – Erickson and 2 excused – Sebranek and B. Pfaff. Before the Board had discussion on the resolution, Doyle asked for the Staff report/review of the proposed program. Human Services Director Jerry Huber briefly explained the major concerns at the last meeting. These concerns were Union concerns, budget, contracting versus internal. He will also ask David Steinberg from the Family & Children’s Division of the Human Services Department to speak. Huber asked Personnel Director, Robert Taunt to explain the staffing issues with the Union. He explained the Union process and that they could not come to an agreement with wages after several attempts. He also explained that the union contracts would be coming up this fall and at that time the Union would have the opportunity to negotiate higher wages for the 2009 and 2010 contracts for these employees. Taunt answered several questions from supervisors. David Steinberg walked supervisors through the history of number of employees, changing of staff and different programs starting with 1990. Both Steinberg and Huber answered questions from supervisors. Because the resolution failed last month, Huber went to other agencies to see if they would be open to doing these services and at what cost. He had one agency that had responded, but at a higher cost due to administrative costs. The County has also contacted other counties to see if they would purchase beds. if this went to a private agency, they would probably not be willing to take on other counties which would eliminate our revenue source for this program. O’Malley answered questions about the budget. Union President Patty Dayton spoke in favor of the adolescence center, but explained the wage differences that the union was concerned about. The union and employees think these adolescence services should be done by the County because the children would be getting better service versus the outside agencies. She read the job description for these positions. Discussion ensued. Dave Steinberg explained that they already have the license and if we don’t have staff and children in by the end of October, he would have to write for an extension which is not looked upon favorably but could be done. The license is a two month process. Discussion ensued. The motion to approve needed a 2/3’s vote of the Board passed on a roll call vote with 1 no – Erickson and 2 excused – Sebranek and B. Pfaff.

5. Asphalt up 70%, patrol gas up $45k, utilities up $100k, Register of Deeds revenue down $73k, State Aid Tax Exempt computer reduced by $70k

2. Paying off pre 2005 debt or refinancing can be shifted to operating levy authority

4. Strong financial position, due in large part to Interest revenue & sales tax gains in 2006 & 2007

6. Timing of new LEC debt payment should moderate the percentage of levy increase

7. Old landfill fund frees up $2 million cash for roads
Goal: Preserve options, be flexible, multi-year impact

Motion by Keil/Manthei to adjourn at 7:26 p.m. passed on a unanimous voice vote with 2 excused – Sebranek and B. Pfaff.

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 at the Planning Meeting held Monday, September 8, 2008 and that it is the whole thereof IN WITNESS THEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO SET MY HAND AND AFFIXED THE OFFICIAL SEAL THIS 9^th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2008.

STATE OF WISCONSIN	)
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COUNTY OF LA CROSSE	)