CALUMET COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. Jay Shambeau, Administrator Patricia K Glynn, Administrative Assistant

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1 CALUMET COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Jay Shambeau, Administrator Patricia K Glynn, Administrative Assistant 206 Court St. Chilton WI Phone: 920/ or 920/ Fax: 920/ Admin.County@co.calumet.wi. us 2013 County Administrator's Budget Message TO: FROM: Honorable Members of the Calumet County Board rr-cs Jay Shambeau, County Administrator ~ DATE: October 25, 2012 RE: Proposed 2013 Calumet County Budget It is my pleasure to present to the Calumet County Board of Supervisors the 2013 Budget for your review and consideration. The information contained in this message should assist you in your review of the budget prior to the November 5th public hearing. Department heads once again closely followed the budget instructions and submitted conservative and practical budget requests. A special thank you goes to Dan De Bonis, Finance Director, who as always, was instrumental in the preparation of this budget. This budget includes an additional 2.8 FTE employees that are viewed as critical to the continued success of our programs and services. The implementation of the compensation and classification study is also one of the key policy and financial items included in this budget proposal BUDGET FACTS Total expenditures, tax rate, tax levy, and total fund balance applied comparisons with the previous year are as follows: 2012 Budget 2013 Budget %Change Total Expenditures $45,222, $48,213, % Tax Rate $5.07 $ % Tax Levx $16,697, $16,876, % Fund Balance Applied $4,542, $1,718, % 1

2 EXPLANATION OF BUDGET FACTS The total expenditures for the 2013 Budget are increasing by $2,991, The inclusion of 2.8 FTE new positions adds $176, (per Schedule H) and the compensation and classification study with increased benefit costs adds $684, to the total expenditures. This budget includes additional highway road construction projects due to holding back on this spending in previous years. There is also available federal funding to offset the signalization project located at CTH KK and Coop Rd. The significant "tax rate" increase is due to the reduction (2.4%) in overall equalized value. Please see attachment A for a pictorial representation of how a decline in property value has an inverse effect on the tax rate. The total tax levy increase of $179, has an additional impact of a $.06 on the tax rate. An average residential Calumet County property has an equalized value of $142, The resulting 2013 county tax increase would be $8.55. The $1,718, fund balance applied amount is significant. This is consistent with Calumet County's practice of maintaining maximum tax levy limitations, while providing tax relief in subsequent budget years. An inclusion of $450, is also earmarked for the funding of a road reconstruction project (CTH H) without bonding BUDGET PROCESS This budget was assembled with the goal of maintaining the current level of service provided by Calumet County. CALUMET COUNTY GOVERNMENT'S STRATEGIC PLAN Strategic Initiative: County Budget and Fiscal Needs- maintain solid, longterm financial security in the current economy, including solutions such as intergovernmental collaboration, operating like a business, restructuring departments, and eliminating duplication of services. Address concerns about taxes, state/federal funding cuts, employment costs, and how to continue to provide funding for important services during peak demands such as in highway and human services. The 2013 Budget follows the directives of the Strategic Plan../ It maintains the County's solid, long-term financial security in the current economy and by complying with the current levy limit restrictions../ It reflects such solutions as intergovernmental collaboration, and elimination of duplication of services, as a result of the following actions: o The outsourcing of the HOME Buyer Program to the Appleton Housing Authority, an organization already providing similar services in the area. 2

3 o Contracting with Outagamie County to provide 911 services for our Appleton residents and for records management. This provides a high level of mobile data computing service in a very cost-effective manner../ This budget reflects such solutions as restructuring departments as a result of the following actions: o The merging of the Land & Water Conservation Department and Planning Department into the Resource Management Department. o It also reflects the merging of the Register in Probate office and the Clerk of Circuit Court office../ It reflects such solutions as operating like a business as a result of the following actions: o The 2013 Budget is maintaining a consistent level of cash reserves to provide flexibility in reaction to continued pressures from the State and Federal governments. These pressures include reductions in aid payments which are critical to the continued support of our operation programs. o It provides inflationary wage increases in order to maintain Calumet County's most valuable capital asset; our employees. Implementing the compensation and classification study solidifies Calumet County's ability to recruit and retain a talented workforce. o It addresses concerns about taxes, in that Calumet continues to maintain one of the lowest per capita capital and operating costs of the 72 Wisconsin counties. For the 2010 fiscal year (the latest available) Calumet County ranked 11th lowest of the 72 counties. This budget continues that tradition by increasing the county's tax levy by less than the rate of inflation BUDGET COUNTY BOARD REVIEW PROCESS This proposed budget was then presented to and reviewed by the Administrative Services Committee on October 1st_ The budget review included eighteen of the County Board members. The Committee initially discussed an overview of county finances and staff stressed the importance of taking a long-term view of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP has many costly road, parks and facility expenditures looming. The public hearing scheduled for Monday, November 5, 2012 at 9:00a.m. is the next formal step of the budget review process. At that time the public may address the County Board regarding this budget proposal. The 2013 Budget will be subject to final review and approval by the County Board on November 5th and also on November 6th, if necessary. Bill Barribeau, County Board Chairman, will allow initial comments by Jay Shambeau, Dan De Bonis, and Alice Connors. He will then look to County Board members for budget comments, amendments, and/or questions. 3

4 There have been no formal amendments proposed by Board members as of the writing of this message. If you plan to bring forward an amendment on November 5 1 h, please provide Jay or Dan with your proposal in advance BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS Calumet County's net new growth was.58%. Total levy limits adjustments allow for an increase of $262, Calumet County 2012 equalized value (TID out) $3,214,755, decreased 2.40%. Fund balance of $1,718, applied to the 2013 budget. Total tax levy increase of $179, or 1.07%. The 2013 budget reflects a $5.25 tax rate which represents an increase from 2012 of $5.07. (See Attachment A) Compensation and classification plan ($684,937.00) is included in 2013 budget. 2.8 FTE additional positions are included in this 2013 Budget (see page H in the Budget book). THE PAST Persistent conservative actions taken by the Calumet County Board over the years and implemented by staff have positioned us well for the creation of the 2013 Budget: Implementation of the early retirement incentive program (completed in 2011). Careful health insurance planning and a noteworthy (15.6%) decrease in 2012 premiums. Significant Wisconsin Retirement System costs were transferred to all employees. Health & Human Services wise financial management has resulted in significant fund balance reserves over the past two years. THE FUTURE This proposed 2013 Budget is consistent with the Strategic Plan. The delivering of effective county services in an efficient, courteous and responsive manner continues to be at the forefront of the Calumet County mission. Strategic directives will be reviewed by the County Board in 2013 to again set the vision and policies for the future. 4

5 Capital Improvement program prioritization and implementation will need to be seriously discussed in The inadequate highway facility continues to limit operational efficiencies. This proj~ct remains under study and should be planned for in 2013/ BUDGET CONCLUSION I respectfully submit the 2013 Administrator's Budget for your review and consideration. This budget, as presented, will allow Calumet County to continue delivering services to our constituents while maintaining the county's strong financial condition. I look forward to the upcoming public hearing, and the ensuing County Board discussion and adoption of the 2013 Calumet County Budget. Calumet County truly has great employees who provide essential services on a daily basis. Once again, please join me in thanking all of our employees. Let them know that we appreciate them very much and that their service to our constituents is greatly valued. The annual budgeting process provides the necessary resources for this important work to continue. As always, do not hesitate to call, stop by, or shambeau.jay@co.calumet.wi.us anytime to discuss the 2013 Budget in more detail. ATTACHED EXHIBITS A- Pictorial representation of declining equalized values. 5

6 2012 Budget 2012 Budget RATE CHANGE DUE TO 2.4% LOSS OF2012 PROPERTY VALUE Home Value= $100,000 County Tax Rate= $5.07 I Thousand County Tax Paid= $ Home Value= $97,600 County Tax Rate= $5.19 I Thousand County Tax Paid = $ Budget RATE CHANGE DUE TO INCREASE IN 2013 PROPOSED TAX LEVY Home Value = $97,600 County Tax Rate= $5.25 I Thousand County Tax Paid= $512.00