Ben Wehmeier
By JAMES KATES / Capstone Managing Editor
Jefferson County supervisors got their first look Tuesday at a $73.3 million budget for 2015 that boosts spending about 1 percent while aiming to provide more clarity about where that money goes.
County Administrator Ben Wehmeier said the document’s new design supplements columns of numbers with graphic and narrative elements that show how the county is faring in a tight fiscal environment.
The budget’s operating levy is rising by $218,000 to reflect new construction in the county. In addition, a robust increase of 5.2 percent in anticipated sales tax revenue will add $275,665 to county coffers.
Overall, however, the budget is tight. It reflects a 2 percent reduction in non-wage spending by each department and a new, low-deductible health care plan in which county employees will pay a portion of their insurance premiums.
The Personal Care Program in the Health Department also will be eliminated, leaving about 130 clients to find services elsewhere.
Debt service for building the new Highway Department shop on County Highway W will add about $30 to the typical property-tax bill for 2015.
A public hearing on the budget is set for Oct. 28. Members of the County Board are asked to submit any amendments in writing for thorough review, and Wehmeier hopes to gain final approval of the budget by Nov. 12.
County Board Chairman Jim Schroeder told reporters before the meeting that he will appoint a task force early next year to take a “30,000-foot” view of all the county’s operations. The process, which will be open to the public, will look at possible program cuts, efficiencies and sharing of services with other governments, Schroeder said.
Wehmeier told the County Board that he wants to “plan for the future and soften the blow” if the next state budget, due July 1, makes cuts in shared revenue. The county is in a good position to weather any setbacks because of its “very strong financial position,” including a small debt load, he said.
County Human Resources Director Terri Palm outlined the new health insurance plan, which includes a $500 deductible for single employees and $1,000 for families. The plan also will continue existing co-pays for prescriptions.
County employees will be offered Health Savings Accounts, which allow them to deposit money tax-free to use for co-pays and non-covered medical expenses.
In another development Tuesday, supervisors received the resignation of Kate Vance, who had represented District 24 in the far southern part of Jefferson County. The district consists mainly of housing for University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students, both in residence halls and off-campus apartments.
Vance, who was elected in April, and her family are moving out of the district.
Schroeder will name a successor to Vance, subject to board approval, unless supervisors vote to hold a special election for the seat. The new board member’s term will run through April 2016.
Schroeder said he is seeking someone who knows the political process, has good people skills, and can “make decisions on the merits of the issue.” County supervisors are elected on a nonpartisan basis.
The position pays $110 a month plus $55 per meeting and mileage reimbursement. The new supervisor will attend meetings of the full board and at least one committee, Schroeder said.
“It’s really not a job, it’s public service,” he added.
In other business Tuesday, the board:
• Approved a civil service ordinance that requires sheriff’s deputies to put in at least six years of service, rather than five, to be promoted to sergeant.
• Received news of $5 million in state and federal grants to upgrade the freight rail line between Watertown and Madison. The grants were secured by the Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission, which the county recently joined.
• Approved a contract with Echo, up to $303,743, as the vendor for an electronic health records system in the Human Services Department.