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1 Minutes of the Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting 4:00pm, May 15, 2026 Meeting was held Remotely through Microsoft Teams and in person in the Bayfield County Board Room, Washburn, WI Members Present: Dennis Pocernich, Fred Strand, Jan Lee, Larry Fickbohm, Jim Crandall, Marty Milanowski Excused: Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kelly Westlund-Deputy Administrator, Sue Rosa, Brian Tochterman-BCEDC, Scott Galetka-Land Records Administrator, Jenna Stephenson-Treasurer, Paul Houck-IT Director, Erika Lang-Helping Paws Rescue, Kim Mattson-Finance Director, Ruth Hulstrom-Planning & Zoning Director, Jennifer Warren-Housing Authority Director Called to order at 4:00p.m. by Strand May 14 Minutes: Motion Lee, Fickbohm to approve the minutes of May 14th Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried (6-0) Public Comment: None Budget Process Overview: Abeles-Allison provided an overview of the budget development timeline and upcoming departmental presentations. • Treasurer’s Office Presentation: Jenna Galligan summarized expenses (primarily personnel, tax software, and postage) and revenue sources (interest on taxes, investments, CDs). Questions addressed regarding checking account interest, money market usage, and debt service. • Information Technology Presentation: Paul Houck provided an extensive update on IT systems and budget considerations. • PDF Editing and Compliance: Plan to sunset Foxit and transition to Adobe Acrobat. ADA compliance for PDFs to be achieved by 2028. • Cybersecurity: Desire to conduct first penetration test; estimated cost similar to $20,000 from five years ago.Plan for updated security assessment from outside vendor. • Software Licensing and Infrastructure: Increase dual licensing seats from 10 to 25. Laserfiche cloud transition expected no later than 2028. Detailed server replacement needs reviewed; memory cost increases noted.Virtual infrastructure replacement could range from $400,000 to $2.1 million. • Cameras and Security Systems: 40 aging cameras need replacement; overall inventory exceeds 280 cameras. Replacement or upgrade will depend on future budgets. • Enterprise AI Solutions: Proposal to deploy an enterprise-grade AI tool for data security and workflow improvement. Estimated cost: approximately $15,000 annually for 50 licenses. • Committee Discussion: Questions covered camera usage, vandalism incidents, staffing levels, technology lifecycle, and cost strategies. 2 • Land Records Presentation: Scott Galetka reviewed departmental functions including dispatch mapping, taxation efforts, zoning support, emergency response data, grants, document accuracy improvements, drone programs, and security practices. • County Administrator’s Office Presentation: Kelly Westlund reviewed staffing plans, ERP implementation, training needs, housing initiatives, revenue sources, and prior year budget comparisons. • Carbon Offset Reserve: Handout was provided of the plan that was developed when the program was implemented. Review of reserve structure (C-core and F-core), use cases, and revenue variability. Discussion of forestry revenue shortfalls and potential applications for towns. Housing Authority Quarterly Report: Jennifer Warren provided updates on roof and siding projects, grant funding, staffing improvements, maintenance needs, senior housing initiatives, and community education efforts. Committee discussion acknowledged progress and needs. Bayfield County Economic Development Report: Brian Tochterman started with BCEDC in February, came from Northland College. Has been rebuilding BCEDC, restoring confidence from stakeholders. Helping Paws Report: Erika Lang summarized operations, focus on feline rescue, spay/neuter program impact, transport, financial assistance, and community needs. Critters without Litters Program. Fee Schedule and Reserve Policy Discussions: • Human Services Risk Reserve: Tom Croteau explained the history and request for raising risk reserve target to $1,000,000 due to unpredictable mandated services, primarily out of home placements. Proposing to fund this with DHS excess revenues at the end of 2026. The committee reviewed a draft resolution increasing the risk reserve balance in 2027. • Zoning Scanning Project: Ruth Hulstrom explained the history and status of the scanning project. Scanning back through the 1990s have been completed. Records go back to the 1960s. Anticipating an additional year’s worth of work anticipated. Funds exist within the existing budget to continue the current scanning position through September. Westlund shared that cost of contracting the service would be significantly higher. Question was asked if the scanned document will meet ADA accessibility requirements. Abeles-Allison will verify. Motion Fickbohm, Lee to continue the scanning project through September. Motion carried (6-0). Zoning Fee Schedule Proposal: Ruth Hulstrom reviewed the proposal to cap certain fees at $1,000. A summary of the fee structure was reviewed. • Motion Pocernich, Crandall to recommend the proposed fee schedule resolution and forward to the full county board for approval. Motion Failed (2–4). • Motion Pocernich to forward the resolution to the county board without recommendation. Motion failed due to lack of second. Highway Commissioner Appointment Discussion: Consideration of revising appointment cycles; discussion only. State law provides for a two-year appointed term for the Highway Commissioner unless the County Board establishes a different (or indefinite) term by ordinance. Currently, in Bayfield County, the county administrator appoints the Highway Commissioner, subject to County Board confirmation. Bayfield County currently uses a periodic reappointment process. State law allows for an indefinite appointment term when allowed by county ordinance. 3 The current initial term ends in 2026. This is a timely opportunity for the County Board to consider whether the appointment process should be continued, modified, or eliminated by ordinance. County Administrator will bring a draft ordinance for consideration at a future meeting. Land Sales: Galetka reviewed the two parcels up for auction and the history of the parcels. Recommendation to consider bids that are below the established minimum. Motion Fickbohm, Lee to accept highest bids for the two properties There is a stipulation in the auction that the properties must be made habitable in a designated period of time. Motion carried (6-0). Washburn School Child Care Program: Abeles-Allison reported on the utilization of this program. Three Bayfield County employees are utilizing this program. Motion Lee, Fickbohm to approve $20,000 allocation for 27. Motion carried (6-0). Executive Committee Ordinance Revisions: Abeles-Allison reviewed proposed revisions to the existing ordinance. The committee discussed if other committees that meet infrequently could be incorporated into the Executive Committee. Further revisions to be brought back. Public Safety Cost Recovery Ordinance: Motion Lee, Strand to forward ordinance with recommendation for approval. Motion carried (3–2 Pocernich and Crandall opposed). Board Rules Discussion: Discussion on maximum public comment time limits. Currently the initial limit is 15 minutes, and it can be extended by approval of the board. Committee discussed if a maximum should be set on the amount of extensions that can be approved. Reports: Financial updates reviewed, including revenues, expenditures, carbon fund impacts, highway project schedule, and courthouse maintenance projects. Meeting adjourned at 6:56 pm. Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz as transcribed from recording.