APPROVED MINUTES OF PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Tuesday - November 14, 2023 - 9:00 a.m.
Full meeting minutes, resolutions and ordinances can be viewed at www.co.pierce.wi.us or in the County Clerk’s Office, 414 West Main St., Ellsworth. 715-273-6744.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Jon Aubart at 9:00 a.m., in the County Board Room at the Pierce County Courthouse & via Zoom.
A quorum was established by County Clerk Jamie Feuerhelm indicating 15 supervisors in attendance, 1 excused (L. Paatalo), 1 seat vacant (District 14).
Also attending were: Jason Matthys-Administrative Coordinator, Brad Lawrence-Corp Counsel, Julie Krings-Human Services Director, Julie Brickner-Finance Director, Michelle Drury-Asst. Finance Director, Becky Johnson-Finance Dept., Kathy Fuchs-Treasurer, Travis Campbell-Parks Superintendent, Allison Preble-Human Resources Manager, Chad Koranda-Sheriff, Christine McPherson-Emergency Management Director, Ayslinn Snyder-Public Health Director, Janet Huppert-IS Director, Tim Anderson-IS, Craig Hager-IS, Julie Hines-Register of Deeds, Kari Weiss-UW Extension Director, John Shafer-resident, Sarah Nigbor-Press.
Adopt Agenda: Motion by D. Auckland/J. Kosin to adopt the agenda as presented; motion carried unanimously.
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Supervisor K. Sampson.
Public Comment on Issues Not Related to Agenda Items: Letter from resident John Schafer distributed to Board members prior to meeting.
Department Reports: Emergency Management. EM Director C. McPherson informed the Board of upcoming training & events that would take place the next couple of years. She also discussed grants being pursued & surveys that she asked members to participate in. She added that statewide there is a shortage of Fire & EMS workers, primarily volunteers.
Public Hearing on 2024 Budget: Chairman J. Aubart commended staff & Board/Committee members for doing a good job with the creation of the 2024 Budget. He added that as it relates to the County’s portion of the tax bill the proposed budget realizes a reduction of $61/$100,000 of assessed value or $3.89/$1000. Chairman J. Aubart declared the public hearing on the 2024 Pierce County Budget opened at 9:07 a.m. Chairman J. Aubart called for questions or comments on the 2024 County Budget. No comments were presented. Chairman Aubart declared the public hearing on 2024 Budget closed at 9:08 a.m.
**All legislation may be adopted on a first reading pursuant to §4-4 and §4-43 of the County Board Rules. **
RESOLUTIONS FOR FIRST CONSIDERATION
Res. 23-12 Approve Nugget Lake Dredge Project and Authorize Utilization of Retained ARPA Funds for Phase 2 Services for Nugget Lake Dredge Project. First reading; motion by M. Kahlow/S. Bjork to suspend the rules & waive reading of resolution; motion carried unanimously by voice vote. T. Campbell summarized the beneficial aspects of Nugget Lake Park. He also reviewed the work accomplished through Phase 1 of the project. Phase 2 of the project in part would be to remove the excess sediment to be deposited in a nearby location. Cost to complete projected at $2,385,709 with the possibility of procuring a $237,000 grant to reduce those costs. Supervisors questioned cost to complete project as well as future costs. Supervisor B. Plunkett & S. Lorentz expressed a need to pursue further conservation measures to help reduce the incident of silt deposit as well as the cost to remove it.
Motion by M. Kahlow/D. Auckland to approve Resolution 23-12 as presented; motion carried by roll call vote with 14 in favor & 1 abstained (M. Pittman).
Res. 23-13 Claims for Listing Dogs. First reading; motion by M. Kahlow/S. Bjork to suspend the rules & waive reading of resolution; motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Motion by M. Kahlow/M. Pittman to approve Resolution 23-13 as presented; motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Res. 23-14 Care of Soldiers’ Graves. First reading; motion by M. Kahlow/S. Bjork to suspend the rules & waive reading of resolution; motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Supervisor N. Gulbranson expressed that the matter of increasing the reimbursement rate should be discussed & considered for future budgets. Clerk Feuerhelm indicated the Board may want to consider a couple options. Motion by M. Pittman/S. Bjork to approve Resolution 23-14 as presented; motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
RESOLUTIONS FOR SECOND CONSIDERATION
Res. 23-07 Authorize New Positions for 2024 (Substitute). Motion by M. Kahlow/J. Kosin to approve Resolution 23-07 as presented. A/C J. Matthys explained that the reason there is a substitute resolution is because the Finance & Personnel Committee recently approved minor changes to one of the Human Services positions. Supervisor S. Lorentz questioned the need for additional Birth to 3 therapists. PH Director AZ Snyder replied that the service these therapists address is required by state & federal mandate. Counties are required to address these needs either by their own staff or contracting with a vendor to provide the service. She estimated that it was less costly for the County to hire their own staff to perform those duties. Motion to approve as presented carried by roll call vote with 14 in favor & 1 opposed (S. Lorentz).
Res. 23-08 Establish 2024 Salaries & Benefits for Designated Employees. Motion by M. Kahlow/J. Kosin to approve Resolution 23-08 as presented; motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Res. 23-09 Approve 2024 Tax Levy & Budget. Motion by M. Kahlow/D. Bergseng to approve Resolution 23-09 as presented. Board reviewed budget & asked questions. Motion by supervisors K. Sampson/M. Pittman to amend the budget to increase the Pierce County Historical Society proposed 2024 budget Account No. 101-001-56702, Sundry Contractual Services line item 299 by $1,197 to the total sum of $15,000, which is to be offset by reductions to the Economic Development proposed 2024 budget, Account No. 101-001-56701, by $1,197 to $64,611 as follows: Per Diem reduced from $750 to $565; Social Security reduced from $47 to $36; Medicare Deduction reduced from $11 to $10; & Sundry Contractual Services reduced from $65,000 to $64,000. Motion to amend 2024 Budget carried unanimously by voice vote. Motion to approve Resolution 23-09 as amended carried by roll call vote with 14 in favor & 1 abstained (S. Lorentz).
Res. 23-10 Authorize Cancellation of Outstanding County Orders. Motion by M. Kahlow/D. Auckland to approve Resolution 23-10 as presented; motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
CLOSED SESSION: Motion by M. Pittman/M. Kahlow to convene into closed session at 9:59 a.m. pursuant to §19.85(1)(g), WI Stats for the purpose of conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved: Litigation update. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
OPEN SESSION: Meeting reconvened into open session at 10:17 a.m. by motion of B. Plunkett/K. Sampson; motion carried unanimously by voice vote. No action taken.
Future Agenda Items: None identified at this time.
Next meeting date: Dec. 19, 2023 at 7 p.m.; County Board Room.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 10:18 a.m. by motion of M. Pittman/K. Sampson; motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Respectfully submitted by Jamie Feuerhelm, County Clerk
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