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Iron County Finance Committee Meeting Minutes for March 24, 2026 Approved 1. Meeting called to order. Lutgen called the meeting to order at noon in the County Board Room. 2. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge was recited. 3. Roll call taken: Roll Call: Lauer, Erickson, Lutgen, Youngs. Absent Krall and Wolff. 4. Acknowledge that the meeting was properly noticed and posted: The clerk certified the meeting was properly posted. 5. Approve minutes of February 17, 2026 as presented. Motion to approve the minutes as presented made by Lauer, seconded by Erickson. All yes, carried. 6. County Manager’s Report: RT vision implementation is almost completed; IT strategic Plan is complete and the cost analysis is being worked on. Timecard/Payroll process is underway and 5 different companies were reviewed. Wage structure and step grade model are near completion. Employee handbook updates are in progress. 7. Clerk/Chair Report: The clerk noted that the April Finance meeting would need to be rescheduled as the new board seating is on April 21st. A discussion on outside groups requesting the use of the board/meeting room. The clerk and other staff will draft a formal policy to bring forward. Lutgen recognized and thanked the outgoing Committee members Karl Krall, Kurt Wolff and Scott Erickson and thanked them for their service. 8. Public comment pursuant to Resolution #2341: Eric Peterson the Forestry Administrator noted we received the final reimbursement for the Gile Flowage. 9. Resolution 2026-4064 Advertising for Economic Support Specialist Position: WHEREAS, the position was recently vacated by an appointment to another Department within the County; and WHEREAS, this position is included in the 2026 Human Services approved budget: and WHEREAS, March 16, 2026, the Human Services Committee recommended adoption of the resolution with motion made by Rye, seconded by Swartz all yes, motion carried; and WHEREAS, on March 24, 2026, the Finance Committee recommended adoption of the resolution, with motion made by Erickson, seconded by Youngs, all yes, motion carried; and WHEREAS, the Finance Committee approves the financial and budgetary impacts associated with adoption of the resolution; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Iron County Finance Committee authorizes the advertisement and hiring of the Economic Support Specialist Position. Motion to approve Resolution 2026-4064 made by Erickson, seconded by Youngs. All yes, carried. 10. Resolution 2026-4065 Advertising for AODA Counselor Position: Iron County Finance Committee Meeting Minutes for March 24, 2026 Approved WHEREAS, the position was recently vacated by a resignation by a formerly contracted employee; and WHEREAS, this position is included in the 2026 Human Services approved budget as an independent contractor: and WHEREAS, March 16, 2026, the Human Services Committee recommended adoption of the resolution with motion made by Youngs, seconded by Swartz, all yes, motion carried; and WHEREAS, on March 17, 2026, the Finance Committee recommended adoption of the resolution, with motion made by Lauer, seconded by Erickson, all yes, motion carried; and WHEREAS, the Finance Committee approves the financial and budgetary impacts associated with adoption of the resolution; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Iron County Finance Committee authorizes the advertisement for a part-time AODA Counselor as an independent contractor and/or contracted part- time AODA Counselor. Motion to approve Resolution 2026-4065 made by Lauer, seconded by Erickson. All yes, carried. 11. Resolution 2026-4066 Cancelled Checks 2024: WHEREAS, Clara J. Maki, Iron County Treasurer, has been instructed to cancel all outstanding General Fund checks that are over one (1) year old therefore, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Iron County Board of Supervisors cancel all outstanding checks for 2024, BE IT FUETHER RESOLVED, that the amount of outstanding checks to be cancelled for 2024 is $845.41. The total of $845.41 will be cancelled and transferred to the General Fund. After six months, said funds remaining unclaimed will be transferred to the Unclaimed Funds account. Motion to approve Resolution 2026-4066 made by Lauer, seconded by Youngs. All yes, carried. 12. Resolution 2026-4067 Approve US Bank as the Provider for Purchase Cards: WHEREAS, the organization seeks to implement a purchase card program that improves purchasing efficiency, oversight, and administrative control; WHEREAS, the State of Wisconsin Commercial Card Program offered through U.S. Bank provides comprehensive payment solutions, including Purchasing Cards, One Cards, Travel Cards, Managed Spend Cards, Emergency Cards, and Virtual Pay; WHEREAS, the U.S. Bank NASPO ValuePoint Commercial Card Program is a publicly bid, awarded contract available to public agencies, providing world class commercial card services without requiring a separate RFP; WHEREAS, the program provides dedicated support, including Relationship Management, Client Services, training, implementation assistance, and 24 hour customer service; WHEREAS, U.S. Bank NASPO program offers competitive rebates, including a 135 basis point volume incentive and up to 45 basis point prompt payment incentive, issued quarterly to participating agencies; WHEREAS, U.S. Bank Access® Online provides real time tools for monitoring transactions, managing limits, viewing statements, accessing reporting, and attaching receipts; WHEREAS, the program includes favorable terms such as no annual fees or interest charges and 45 days to pay; NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that designated Program Administrators are authorized to establish, oversee, and manage all aspects of the purchase card program. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Iron County board of Supervisors hereby approves U.S. Bank as its provider for purchase cards; Motion to approve Resolution 2026-4067 made by Youngs, seconded by Erickson. All yes, carried. Iron County Finance Committee Meeting Minutes for March 24, 2026 Approved 13. Discuss/Action to Establish Sheriff’s wages for the next four-year term: The Law Enforcement Committee made a recommendation to set the Sheriff Salary at $99,000 starting in 2027, with a 4% annual increase in 2028 through 2030. 14. Discuss/Action to Establish County Coroner Monthly Wage and per call fee for the next four-year term. The coroner compensation has been $1000 a month plus $100 per call. Discussion on leaving this as is with review if no candidates run for position. 15. Resolution 2026-4068 Establishing Salaries for Sheriff, Clerk of Courts and Coroner for next 4-year term: WHEREAS, Section 59.22 of Wisconsin Statutes requires that the total annual compensation of elected county officials be established before the earliest time for filing nomination paper for said county offices; and WHEREAS, the salary structure of Iron County’s elected officials having been studied by the Iron County Finance Committee, for the purpose of negotiating and establishing an equitable level of annual compensation for elected officials of Iron County; WHEREAS, by action of the State of Wisconsin, the positions of Sheriff, Clerk of Courts and Coroner serve a four-year term of office beginning in January of 2027; and WHEREAS, the Iron County Finance Committee met on February 17, 2026 and considered salaries and recommended that the Clerk of Courts receive the following salary for 2027 shall be $68,000; Salary for 2028 shall be $69,500; Salary for 2029 shall be $71,000 and the salary for 2030 shall be $72,500. The Iron County Finance Committee met on March 24, 2026 and considered salaries and recommended that the Iron County Sheriff receive the following salary for 2027 shall be $99,000; salary for 2028 shall be $102,960; for 2029 shall be $107,078.40; and for 2030 shall be $111,361.54; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the aforementioned County elected officials are entitled to participate in the Wisconsin Retirement System in accordance with law and the county shall pay only its share of contributions required by law; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the aforementioned County elected officials are entitled to participate in the County’s health and vision insurance program subject to the terms and conditions of the program, which may be modified from time to time, as health and vision insurance coverage offered to county employees in the Iron County Employee Handbook. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the salary of the Iron County Coroner for calendar years 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 will be $1,000.00 per month and $100.00 per call. Motion to approve Resolution 2026-4068 made by Erickson, seconded by Youngs. All yes, carried. 16. Resolution 2026-4071 Payment Against Saxon Harbor Loan Using Carbon Credit Funds: WHEREAS, Iron County has an outstanding loan for Saxon Harbor reconstruction in the amount of $777,909.66; and WHEREAS, Iron County maintains a balance in the Carbon Credit Fund 205 of $443,513.19; and WHEREAS, the Iron County Finance Committee and Board of Supervisors find it fiscally responsible to apply available Carbon Credit revenues toward reducing the principal of the Saxon Harbor reconstruction loan, thereby lowering future interest costs and improving the County’s financial position; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: The Iron County Board of Supervisors authorizes the payment of $443,513.19 to be applied against the principal of the Saxon Harbor reconstruction loan to be pulled from the Carbon Credit Fund 205. Motion to approve Resolution 2026-4074 made by Erickson, seconded by Lauer. All yes, carried. Iron County Finance Committee Meeting Minutes for March 24, 2026 Approved 17. Resolution 2026-4072 Amend Highway Budget Funds 700 & 208: WHEREAS, the Iron County Board of Supervisors adopted the 2026 budget, including Fund 700 (Highway) and Fund 208 (County Roads and Bridges) in October 2025; and WHEREAS, subsequent review and additional considerations have enabled the County to more accurately project and reflect revenues and expenditures in these funds; and WHEREAS, the attached budget addendum details the specific reallocations to revenues and expenditures in Fund 700 (Highway) and Fund 208 (County Roads and Bridges); NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Iron County Board of Supervisors that the 2026 budgets for Fund 700 (Highway) and Fund 208 (County Roads and Bridges) are hereby amended as set forth in the attached budget addendum, which is incorporated herein by reference; and Motion to approve Resolution 2026-4072 made by Lauer, seconded by Erickson. All yes, carried. 18. Resolution 2026-4073 Approving Additional Funds for Trail 17 Railroad Grade Acquisition in the Town of Mercer: WHEREAS, Iron County operates and maintains over 305 miles of funded snowmobile trails and 120 miles of funded ATV trails, and; WHEREAS, Union-Pacific Railroad currently owns 4.28 miles of the Trail 17 corridor in the Town of Mercer, and; WHEREAS, Union-Pacific has sold individual parcels of railroad grade to private owners in the past which jeopardizes the continuity and potential use of the Trail 17 corridor for a recreational trail, and; WHEREAS, the Iron County Forestry Department has been in negotiations with Union-Pacific for over 4 years to acquire their remaining ownership in Iron County and has received a Wisconsin DNR Grant to cover the appraised value of $77,900 and fees for the parcels, and; WHEREAS, Union-Pacific has requested, through its agent, a final offer purchase price of $120,000 for the 51.91 acres all located within the Town of Mercer. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Iron County Board of Supervisors hereby authorizes the Iron County Forestry Department move forward with the acquisition from Union-Pacific utilizing the WNDR grant and additional funds in an amount not to exceed $45,000. FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that this expense be paid using available funds from the Gravel Pit Restoration and Land Acquisition fund. Motion to approve Resolution 2026-4073 made by Erickson, seconded by Lauer. All yes, carried. 19. Resolution 2026-4074 Exemption on Vacation Carry Over Usage: WHEREAS, the Iron County Employee Handbook currently provides that an employee may carry no more than 40 hours of vacation into a succeeding calendar year and must use such carried-over vacation by March 31 of that year or forfeit it, unless special arrangements are approved by the Department Head and Finance/Personnel Committee; and WHEREAS, the existing March 31 deadline will lead to unnecessary forfeiture of earned vacation hours [most specifically in the Highway Department] and create additional administrative burden on payroll processing for individual deletions; and WHEREAS, a one-year exemption from this deadline will promote employee well-being, work-life balance, full utilization of earned benefits, and reduced administrative workload; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Iron County Board of Supervisors authorizes a temporary exemption from the handbook rule for all county employees in 2026, specifically waiving the requirement that carried-over vacation time (up to forty (40) hours from 2025) must be used by March 31, 2026, or be forfeited; employees may instead use such carried-over time at any point during the 2026 calendar year, subject to normal departmental scheduling and approval; and Iron County Finance Committee Meeting Minutes for March 24, 2026 Approved BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this exemption is limited to the March 31 usage deadline for vacation carried over from 2025 into 2026 and does not alter the 40-hour carryover maximum, other handbook provisions, or vacation earned in 2026 for future carryover; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the County Manager, Department Heads, and Employee Handbook Committee are directed to review and update this language to develop a permanent solution for 2027. Motion to approve Resolution 2026-4074 made by Erickson, seconded by Youngs. All yes, carried. 20. Resolution 2026-4075 Authorization of Memorandum of Understanding with a Contractor to Provide Temporary Services in the Register of Deeds Office. WHEREAS, Iron County experienced turnover in the Register of Deeds office with the resignation of both the Register of Deeds and Deputy Register of Deeds within a two-month period; and WHEREAS, the Governor's appointment of the new Register of Deeds occurred late, limiting initial training and necessitating additional assistance to train the new Register of Deeds/Deputy and complete operational tasks; and WHEREAS, a former employee (the Contractor) possesses required expertise to provide training and support; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: by the Iron County Board of Supervisors as follows: 1.The Memorandum of Understanding between Iron County, Wisconsin, and the Contractor, substantially in the form presented (attached as Exhibit A), is approved and accepted. 2.The County Board Chair (or designee) is hereby authorized to execute the MOU and any consistent related documents on behalf of Iron County. 3.That the County Manager (or other appropriate county official) is authorized to approve weekly time records and process payments to the Contractor in accordance with the terms of the MOU, up to the maximum anticipated compensation of $6,000, subject to submission of proper invoices and verification of hours worked. 4.That the County Clerk is directed to attest to this Resolution and maintain a copy of the executed MOU in the official records of the County. Motion to approve Resolution 2026-4075 made by Lauer, seconded by Erickson. All yes, carried. 21. Discussion/Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer’s report was reviewed. Motion to accept made by Lauer, seconded by Erickson. All yes, carried. 22. Review, Discussion, and Approval of Credit Card Bills, Manual V ouchers, Check Numbers 155986 through 156400 and Payroll Checks V3883 through V39081 dated 2/12/2026 to 3/9/2026: Motion to approve the vouchers and issue the checks dated 2/12/2026 to 3/9/2026 made by Lauer, seconded by Erickson. All yes, carried. 23. Closed Session per WI State Statute 19.85 (1) (c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. (Deputy Register of Deeds, Deputy Clerk of Courts, Probate/Juvenile Clerk, Conservation Specialist compensation, Employee vacation/sick payout due to internal transfer, and DWD Complaint): Motion to go into closed session at 12:55pm made by Youngs, seconded by Lauer. Roll call taken. All yes. Carried. 24. Return to Open Session to Report any Possible Action on Closed Session Items: Motion to return to open session at 1:25pm made by Youngs, seconded by Erickson. Roll call taken. All yes, carried. Iron County Finance Committee Meeting Minutes for March 24, 2026 Approved Motion to hire the Conservation Specialist at $25.09 per hour made by Erickson, seconded by Lauer. All yes, carried. Motion to set the Deputy Register Deeds pay at $27.35 per hour and to back date to the March 16th pay period made by Youngs, seconded by Erickson. All yes, carried. Motion to pay the Deputy Clerk of Courts $24.50 per hour made by Youngs, seconded by Erickson. All yes, carried. Motion to Give the Register of Probate that is being taken over by the Clerk of Courts a $5000.00 stipend and the Juvenile probate is being taken over by the Judicial Assistant a $5000.00 stipend made by Lauer, seconded by Youngs. 3 yes, Erickson abstained, carried. Motion to pay out Vacation and personal time to Candice Krall and to pay out 60% of her sick time made by Lauer, seconded by Erickson. All yes, carried. 25. Adjournment: Lutgen adjourned the meeting at 1:29pm. Respectfully Submitted. Christan Brandt, County Clerk Approved: May 20, 2026