Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Vernon County Finance Committee approves treasurer’s report, reviews grants, tower plans and voting‑machine options
Summary
At its April 16, 2020 WebEx meeting the Vernon County Finance Committee approved the treasurer’s report and monthly bills, sent a resolution to cancel outstanding checks to the county board, heard a grants update and discussed radio‑tower options and voting‑machine financing for 2021.
The Vernon County Finance Committee met by WebEx on April 16, 2020. Chairman Ole Yttri called the committee to order at 9:30 a.m., and the members approved the minutes of the Feb. 20 meeting.
Treasurer Rachel Hanson presented the treasurer’s report, outlining account balances, receipts and cash‑flow details. The report showed account balances of $17,334,743.96 (4/14/2020) and $17,897,831.68 (3/31/2020), and included summaries of tax collections (including Ho‑Chunk Nation collections and redemption taxes). Committee members voted to approve the treasurer’s report.
Diane McGinnis reviewed multiple grant programs and recent activity. She reported a DNR grant closeout with a deposit of $444,003.20, FEMA buyout activity (three to four properties with two closed and one demolition complete), submitted DNR municipal flood control applications for several towns and villages, CDBG‑EAP flood payments and residential projects, and ongoing work on an EDA grant with the City of Viroqua. McGinnis said the Economic Development Loan Committee has offered loan deferrals for April through June and that work continues on a Drug Court grant and an assisted‑living CDBG application.
Under "Audience to Visitors," visitor Nate Campbell raised radio‑tower matters, noting a Town of Bergen rental/lease is complete and estimating $175,000–$200,000 to build a new tower in Ontario. Committee members referenced two prior resolutions related to tower equipment and a De Soto‑area tower and noted US Cellular’s rent was reported at $1,605 per month with a 5% annual increase. Mary Henry said towers must be the same height to be effective and urged moving forward with a new tower; the committee asked staff for a report back next month.
Vernon County Clerk Ron Hoff discussed options for replacing county voting machines in 2021, describing two types of machines — a touchscreen model and a tabulator that counts absentee ballots — and said the county is exploring joint orders with other counties to obtain discounts and considering paying in 2021.
The committee approved a resolution to cancel outstanding checks and voted to forward it to the April county board meeting. Members also reviewed and approved the monthly bills. The committee set its next meeting for May 21, 2020, and adjourned at 10:57 a.m.
The meeting record notes staff follow‑up: return with an update on radio‑tower options and continued work on grants, procurement of voting machines and accounts‑payable procedures.
