Sincerely,
Ave M. Bie
Chairperson
State of Wisconsin
Department of Employment Relations
August 30, 2001
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to submit the State Council on Affirmative Action Report for July 1, 2000, to June 30, 2001. The report includes accomplishments for the past year and identifies Council direction for the future.
Additional copies may be obtained from the Department of Employment Relations, Division of Affirmative Action, 345 West Washington Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53703.
Please contact Greg Jones, Administrator of the Division of Affirmative Action, at 266-3017 or Email:
Greg.Jones@der.state.wi.us if you have any questions or need additional information regarding the report.
Sincerely,
Gregory C. Jones
Administrator
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
September 11, 2001
The Honorable, The Legislature:
At the request of several legislators, we have completed a review of Brown County's financial condition. Concerns about the county's financial condition were raised in late 2000, when county officials projected a $3.9 million budget deficit for 2001 and larger deficits in subsequent years. In mid-2001, the county revised its budget estimates and projected a smaller deficit for 2002, as well as for future years. Nevertheless, Brown County is likely to face financial challenges in the future.
Brown County's total expenditures have grown by 27.1 percent from 1995 to 1999. Despite this substantial increase, its 1999 per capita expenditures have, in most cases, been typical of counties with populations over 100,000. In addition, Brown County's financial condition has been satisfactory since 1995: the county had a surplus in its general fund for four of the past six years; it has had an adequate undesignated balance in its general fund at year-end; it has a low level of outstanding debt; and its bond rating has be "Aa1," the second-highest attainable.
In 2001, Brown County's corrections expenditures are expected to increase significantly, largely as the result of the June opening of a new jail. We estimate that costs associated with housing inmates in 2001 may be as much as $20 per day more than was spent for housing inmates in 2000, when many inmates were housed in out-of-county facilities.
Brown County provides more services than most other counties. To address the county's projected budget deficits in the future, county officials will need to either control expenditures or enhance revenues. We have identified several areas they may wish to consider.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by officials of Brown County. The county's response is Appendix 2.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
September 7, 2001
The Honorable, The Legislature:
S371
We have completed a review of the Environmental Cooperation Pilot Program, which was established by
1997 Wisconsin Act 27. This pilot program, operated by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is intended to provide increased flexibility for businesses in complying with environmental regulations, while maintaining existing levels of environmental protection. The Legislative Audit Bureau is required by statutes to monitor and report annually on this pilot program.
The program allows DNR to sign up to ten cooperative agreements with businesses. No cooperative agreements were established during the program's first two years. Of the nine companies that submitted letters of intent to joint the program, three have withdrawn or chosen to pursue their objectives within existing regulations. In February 2001, an agreement with Wisconsin Electric Power Company became the first to be executed under the program. Agreements with the remaining five companies are in various stages of development.
Both DNR staff and program participants identified challenges associated with the Environmental Cooperation Pilot Program. These challenges include encouraging businesses to participate despite the time required to advance through the application process and reach a signed agreement, the uncertainty of the final outcome for program participants, and the process involving the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Addressing these challenges will be important because the Legislature will likely be asked to consider a new flexible environmental management program, known as Green Tier, which has been proposed by a DNR-appointed committee to enhance the environmental performance of companies.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by DNR during our review.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
September 5, 2001
The Honorable, The Senate:
We have completed a financial audit of the Mendota and Winnebago Mental Health Institutes for fiscal year 1999-2000, at the request of the Department of Health and Family Services. We are able to provide unqualified opinions on the Institutes' financial statements. The financial statements show that, on an accrual basis, Mendota Mental Health Institute had net income of $2.8 million and Winnebago Mental Health Institute had net income of $3.0 million.
For several years, the Department did not have an adequate system to accumulate and summarize information on patient revenues and accounts receivables. In January 1999, the Department began implementing a new $525,000 billing and accounting system; however, its automated billing functions are not yet properly working, which has resulted in delays in billing and collection activities. The Department is taking reasonable steps to solve the problems with the system and reduce the delays, which we will continue to monitor in our future audits of the Institutes. In addition, we recommend improvements for the Department's process for developing and documenting estimates of patient revenues and receivables.
Copies of the audit report have been distributed to members of the joint Legislative Audit Committee and those required by law to receive them. If you are interested in receiving a copy of this report, please contact our office and request report 01-14. The report is also available on line at
www.legis.state.wi.us\lab\windex.htm.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Elections Board
September 5, 2001
The Honorable, The Legislature:
Enclosed is a report of the State Elections boards describing impediments to voting faced by elderly and disabled electors. This report has been prepared pursuant to Section
5.25(4)(d), Wisconsin Statutes. The Elections Board is providing it to you for distribution to the appropriate standing committee of the legislature as directed by Section
13.172 (3), Wisconsin Statutes.
Additional copies have been prepared for distribution to representatives of appropriate advocacy groups and individuals on our subscription list. The report is also available on our website:
http://elections.state.wi.us/.
Sincerely,
Kevin J. Kennedy
Executive Director
Referred to committee on Universities, Housing and Government Operations.
State of Wisconsin
Ethics Board
September 11, 2001
The Honorable, The Senate:
The following lobbyists have been authorized to act on behalf of the organizations set opposite their names.
For more detailed information about these lobbyists and organizations and a complete list of organizations and people authorized to lobby the 2001 session of the legislature, visit the Ethics Board's web site at
http://ethics.state.wi.us/
Carey, Ray Single Sales Factor Coalition, LLC
Longmire, Erin UST Public Affairs Inc
Matthews, John Single Sales Factor Coalition, LLC
Thompson, Brett Wisconsin Credit Union League
Also available from the Wisconsin Ethics Board are reports identifying the amount and value of time state agencies have spent to affect legislative action and reports of expenditures for lobbying activities filed by organizations that employ lobbyists.
Sincerely,
Roth Judd
Director
__________________
Relating to fire department safety and health.
Submitted by Department of Commerce.
Report received from Agency, September 11, 2001.
Referred to committee on Labor and Agriculture, September 12, 2001.
Relating to the 2001 migratory game bird season.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, September 10, 2001.
Referred to committee on Environmental Resources, September 12, 2001.
The committee on Human Services and Aging reports and recommends:
Relating to the eligibility of nonparent relatives of children to receive kinship care benefits to help them provide care and maintenance for the children.
Modifications requested, Ayes 6, Noes 1.
Ayes, 6 - Senators
Robson, Moore, Wirch, Hansen, Roessler and Kanavas.
Noes, 1 - Senator
Welch.
