Finance Committee — Minutes

Minutes of the March 12, 2026 Meeting of the Sawyer County Finance Committee of the Sawyer County Board of Supervisors Board Room; Sawyer County Voting Committee Members (X) Present: Others Present: Chair: John Righeimer- Excused Mike Markgren Vice Chair: Stacey Hessel Liz Klein Marc Helwig - Absent Ron Buckholtz Tom Duffy Rhandi Ehn Jeff Hoehne Brian Lehner Ron Kinsley Call to Order – Ms. Hessel called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. Certification of Compliance with the open meeting law was met. Roll Call taken and quorum was met. Meeting Agenda – Set Public Comments – None Minutes from the previous meeting dated: February 12, 2026 Motion to approve made by: Mr. Duffy Second by: Mr. Hoehne Motion carried without negative vote. Treasurer’s Report – Mr. Lehner provided a written report on tax collections and delinquent parcels; the department sent out 1600 delinquent notices in February. Finance Department Report - Ms. Ehn reviewed monthly sales tax revenues, Budget Performance Reports for December 2025 and February 2026, and February CIP purchases. Department Financial Updates-- Child Support Department---Ms. Ehn reviewed 2025 and February 2026 financials for the Child Support Department. 2025 revenues came in at 113% of budget; 2025 expenses came in at 92% of budget. February numbers are on track for this department. HHS Department—Ms. Ehn reviewed 2025 and February 2026 financials for the HHS Department. Final 2025 revenues came in at 108% of budget; expenses at 111%. February numbers are on track for this department. Investments Review and Update— The January investment report was provided: interest rates are dropping; County CD investments are still holding above 4%. Mr. Markgren presented a resolution other counties are adopting to request the ability to increase the levy beyond net new construction and tie it to CPI, with a 3.5% cap. Resolution 2026-____ CPI Legislative Action to Address County Funding Challenges was approved for consideration by the County Board on a motion by: Mr. Hoehne Second by: Mr. Duffy Motion carried without negative vote. Closed Session- At 8:47am a motion to enter into closed session pursuant to: Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(c), “considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction to employ or exercises responsibility,” to wit, for purposes of discussing separation of the Finance Department from Administration was made by: Ms. Hessel Second by: Mr. Hoehne A roll call vote was taken: Stacey Hessel- aye, Tom Duffy- aye, Jeff Hoehne- aye. Motion carried. At 9:00 am the committee reconvened in open session on a motion by: Mr. Hoehne Second by: Mr. Duffy Motion to separate the Finance Department from Administration by: Ms. Hessel Second by: Mr. Duffy Motion carried without negative vote. Board Appointed Committee Updates— None Correspondence, Reports from Conferences and Meetings – Ms. Klein reported that the clerk and treasurer attended the WCCO conference in Madison where they spoke with Senators Quinn and Fein in support of the Forestry Revitalization Act. Mr. Lehner heard updates on Acts 217 and 235 from Andy Phillips of WCA and Attolles Law. Future Agenda Items – None Adjournment – 9:03am Next Meeting- April 9, 2026 Time: 8:30 am Location: Board Room Minutes recorded by Liz Klein, County Clerk