minutes of the meeting of the Sawyer County Board of Supervisors

Tuesday, November 9, 2010, 6:30 p.m., Large Courtroom, Sawyer County Courthouse

Chairman Hal Helwig called the November meeting of the Sawyer County Board of Supervisors to order.  Roll call was as follows:

The agenda for the meeting was presented as follows:

01.  Call to order, roll call, Pledge of Allegiance, meeting agenda, audience recognition

02.   Minutes of the meeting of October 21, 2010

03.  2011 Sawyer County Budget, including public hearing on the budget

04.  Zoning and Conservation Committee report, including:

·         update on Round Lake Property Owners’ Association v. Sawyer County

·         update on Department of Natural Resources enforcement action concerning County Highway NN culverts at Osprey Creek crossing

·         recommendation to expend up to $8,000 for engineering services for Round Lake - Osprey Lake - Osprey Creek watershed management evaluation

05.  Economic Development and Planning Committee report, including:

·         requests for 7^th Congressional District office  and Governor’s Northern Office to be in Sawyer County

·         regional economic development

·         County Highway B pedestrian and bicycle trail and funding

06.  Courthouse Committee report, including recommendations for:

·         agreement for Register of Deeds to provide noncertified copies of documents pertaining to daily records and filings of documents

·         renewal of public entity liability insurance (Wisconsin County Mutual Insurance) and public officials bond (Liberty Mutual) coverage for 2011

07.  Property and Airport Committee report, including resolution, agency agreement, and performance note for loan to be used for purchase of land necessary for Airport improvement project

08.  Finance Committee report, including:

·         cancellation of tax certificates

·         memorandum of understanding with LCO regarding use of $100,000 gaming proceeds for 2010

·         closing of Peoples Bank of Wisconsin money market account

09.  2011 Northern Waters Library Service Agreement with reduced (to $20,264) appropriation

10.  Appointments, including Veterans Service Commission

11.  Correspondence, reports from conferences and meetings, other matters for discussion only

Motion by Kinsley, 2^nd by Thompson, to approve the meeting agenda as presented.  Motion carried.

Motion by Kinsley, 2^nd by Johnson, to approve the October 21, 2010 meeting minutes.  Motion carried.

The Board reviewed the following proposed 2011 SAWYER COUNTY BUDGET:

County Board Chair Hal Helwig provided an opportunity for the public to present information or ask questions concerning the proposed 2011 Sawyer County Budget.  Everyone in attendance was provided with a copy of the proposed budget.  Sawyer County Development Corporation Executive Director Scott Allen expressed his concern that the appropriation for 2011 for the Development Corporation was reduced to half of the amount appropriated in the 2010 Sawyer County Budget. 

The Board reviewed the following resolution for adoption of the 2011 Sawyer County Budget:

RESOLUTION #16-2010

ADOPTION OF YEAR 2011 SAWYER COUNTY BUDGET

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Sawyer County Board of Supervisors, duly assembled this 9th day of November, 2010, that the proposed 2011 Sawyer County Budget is hereby approved and adopted and that there be appropriated the sum of $9,840,064.

     THEREFORE, there is hereby levied against all property in Sawyer County, except for those municipalities that are by law exempt from participating in certain items, the sum of $9,840,064 to be spread on the tax rolls for 2011.  The difference between the appropriation and the levy is due to anticipated revenue, the application of surplus funds and fund balances, and anticipated adjustments to expenditures in an amount totaling $17,444,290.

This is a net increase of $0 from the 2010 levy.  This is a 0% increase from the 2010 levy.

Motion by Bassett, 2^nd by Johnson, to approve RESOLUTION #16-2010.  Motion carried.  Ms. McCoy and Mr. Schleeter voted no.

The Board reviewed documents and materials, including a resolution, agency agreement, and performance note for a loan to be used for the purchase of land necessary for the Airport improvement project.  The County Board approved the resolution, agency agreement, and performance note at their meeting held October 21, 2010, but failed to approve the resolution by the ¾ majority vote required by section 67.045(1)(f) of the Wisconsin Statutes for authorization for the issuance of a promissory note.  The Board reviewed an opinion from Sawyer County Corporation Counsel Thomas J. Duffy that section 67.045(1)(b) of the Wisconsin Statutes provides that “if the Board were to adopt a resolution that sets forth its reasonable expectation that issuance of the debt will not cause the county to increase the debt levy rate, then a simple majority would be required for the adoption of the resolution and the issuance of the debt”.  The Board discussed that federal funds are anticipated to reimburse Sawyer County for much of the expenses for the land purchases, that the County currently has a $273,337 balance in the Airport improvement project fund, and that the County could use other County funds to make the payments on the loan if the reimbursement with federal funds is not made in time to avoid making payments required by the loan.  The Property and Airport Committee recommended that the Finance Committee consider and develop options for the County to use other County funds (including from the Sawyer County Environmental Impact Fund) for the debt payments to be made to allow for a finding that there is a reasonable expectation that issuance of the debt will not cause the county to increase the debt levy rate.  The Finance Committee determined to submit the issue to the full County Board.  Motion by Thompson, 2^nd by Maki, to approve the resolution, agency agreement, and performance note.  The Board determined to conduct a roll call vote to establish whether a vote to approve the resolution, agency agreement, and performance note receives the necessary ¾ majority of the votes to approve the borrowing.  The roll call vote was as follows:  Jaeger – yes; Zietlow – yes; Pearson – yes; Duffy – no; Paulsen – no; Gundersen – yes; Helwig – yes; Bassett – yes; Kinsley – yes; Olson – absent; Thompson – yes; Johnson – no; Schleeter – no; McCoy – no; Maki – yes.  The motion carried with 9 member voting yes and 5 members voting no, therefore failing to be approved by the ¾ majority vote required by section 67.045(1)(f) of the Wisconsin Statutes for authorization for the issuance of a promissory note.

The Board reviewed the Zoning and Conservation Committee recommendation to approve the expenditure of an amount not exceeding $8,000 to pay for professional engineering services for the evaluation of alternatives and options for the management of the water level and flow in the Round Lake - Osprey Lake - Osprey Creek watershed (downstream to the County Highway NN crossing of Osprey Creek).  The $8,000 is based on a proposal received from Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH) to provide those services.  The Finance Committee recommends County Board approval of the SEH proposal and the expenditure of up to $8,000 with the funds to come from the Sawyer County Environmental Impact Fund.  Motion by Johnson, 2^nd by Bassett, to approve the Finance Committee recommendation.  Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Economic Development and Planning Committee Chair Ken Maki presented the Committee recommendation for the County Board to request that 7^th District Congressman-Elect Sean Duffy establish a district office in Sawyer County.  Motion by Maki, 2^nd by Paulsen, to approve the recommendation.  Motion carried.

Economic Development and Planning Committee Chair Ken Maki presented the Committee recommendation for the County Board to request that Wisconsin Governor-Elect Scott Walker establish the Governor’s northern office in Sawyer County.  Motion by Bassett, 2^nd by Duffy, to approve the recommendation.  Motion carried.

Economic Development and Planning Committee Chair Ken Maki introduced Sawyer County University of Wisconsin-Extension Community Resource Development Educator Dave Berard.  Mr. Berard provided a report from a presentation given by Wisconsin Governor-Elect Scott Walker to the University of Wisconsin Board of Regent which addressed initiatives to create jobs in Wisconsin, including the utilization of regional economic development partnerships and organizations.

Economic Development and Planning Committee member and Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Committee member Warren Johnson reported that the design and engineering costs estimated at $35,000 initially for the pedestrian and bicycle trail paralleling County Highway B are now being proposed as $153,840 in the contract for those services.  The Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Committee is reviewing the discrepancy between the estimated and actual costs for the project and options to cover or reduce the costs of the project, including reducing the length of the trail and using County resources in completing the project.

Courthouse Committee Chair Dale Schleeter presented the Committee recommendation to approve a proposed agreement for the Register of Deeds Office to provide non-certified copies of the complete daily recordings and filings of the office to municipalities, private corporations, associations, and other persons.  Motion by Kinsley, 2^nd by Paulsen, to approve the recommendation.  Motion carried.

The Board reviewed information and proposals for the renewal of public entity liability insurance coverage for 2011 with the Wisconsin County Mutual Insurance Corporation and for the renewal of public official bonds with Liberty Mutual Insurance through the Arthur J. Gallagher Agency, both under the same terms and conditions as in 2010.  Courthouse Committee Chair Dale Schleeter presented the Courthouse Committee recommendation to approve both of these proposals.  Motion by Bassett, 2^nd by Johnson, to approve the recommendation.  Motion carried.

Finance Committee Chair Warren Johnson presented the Committee recommendation to approve County Treasurer Dianne Ince’s request for cancellation of the tax certificate for the 2009 tax in the amount of $171.16 for a parcel of real estate (legacy parcel identification number 010-840-36 5416) described as a road easement located in Government Lot 4, Section 36, Township 40 North, Range 8 West, as shown on Certified Survey Number 793 in Volume 4, at page 236, Certified Survey Maps, Sawyer County Register of Deeds Office.  The cancellation is requested to correct a property listing error.  Motion by Paulsen, 2^nd by Schleeter, to approve the recommendation.  Motion carried.

Finance Committee Chair Warren Johnson presented the Committee recommendation to approve a proposed memorandum of understanding between Sawyer County and the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians (LCO) as to the utilization of $100,000 of LCO’s yearly gaming proceeds as provided for in Section XXXIII(A)(5) of the 1998 Amendment to the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and the State of Wisconsin Gaming Pact of 1991.  The memorandum of understanding confirms the understanding of Sawyer County and LCO regarding allocation of the 2010 funds, which is that each should be allocated $50,000 of the $100,000.  Motion by Kinsley, 2^nd by Bassett, to approve the recommendation.  Motion carried.

Finance Committee Chair Warren Johnson presented the Committee recommendation to approve County Treasurer Dianne Ince’s request for approval to close Sawyer County’s Money Market Account at the Peoples Bank of Wisconsin, effective December 1, 2010, due to the lowering of the interest rate offered on that account.  The funds from the account would be transferred into the County’s checking account at Johnson Bank which offers a higher rate of interest.  Motion by Bassett, 2^nd by Jaeger, to approve the recommendation.  Motion carried.

The Board reviewed the proposed 2011 Sawyer County Library Service Agreement with Northern Waters Library Service revised to reflect that Sawyer County will pay a county library service fee of $20,264 (and not $22,264).  Motion by Johnson, 2^nd by Paulsen, to approve the agreement as revised.  Motion carried.  Mr. Bassett voted no.

County Board Chair Hal Helwig presented the recommendation of Veterans Service Officer Ray Boeckman and Veterans Service Commission Chair Lyle Swanson for the reappointment of Woodrow Garrett (Exeland) to serve as a member of the Sawyer County Veterans Service Commission with his term of office to expire on the second Monday in December of 2013.  Motion by Bassett, 2^nd by Zietlow, to approve the recommendation.  Motion carried.

Motion by Kinsley, 2^nd by Duffy, to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried.

Minutes prepared by County Clerk Kris Mayberry