[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6344452,"mediaKeyId","2250853-597507ed419fb39957c7e9565fce2906","parentId",2250853,"title","Committee approves applying for $50,000 comprehensive‑plan grant and hiring Northwest Regional Planning Commission","audioSeconds",39,"startMs",6081000,"endMs",6120000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250853-597507ed419fb39957c7e9565fce2906&start=6081&end=6120","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250853-597507ed419fb39957c7e9565fce2906/thumbnail_6081000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6344452/Ashland-County/Wisconsin/Committee-approves-applying-for-50000-comprehensiveplan-grant-and-hiring-Northwest-Regional-Planning-Commission","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344452-e66f38c9df8ac34c1673487c09ce0562/orig.mp4?Expires=1776201355&Signature=NREoovJRjNu58lWLQpGiDep6NjRDM8nhqumN0VB64Y3BmmSdrs2h7FA-MbBJBZLa-8VrUypeAq9-QLSsWqcumGCNBtJQy6aeUxQCRvTN7-7lMjX1LHknHbCsrjO9vgBzx-2H9Moe4pBQgE1zKOzArSqfq1nyqyxDuWb7AGW4IKpiNVhxR6xdQNzNaxaDrYeCSA63fIXwXAMeiHY73DlkbAucKa-4M4b9YBIYaPz5qrHz6qoI5auArPq1qgthAWIYHeYOqO81TXVSlz0K~ReOlPEZIAX5SsW6AXpsFSKI0buNKQXXwNF4V3V5jQWPFE1j7-OVO9D1QbTTD4FCcDL2GA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ashland County, WI","date","2025-02-07T13:44:03Z","article","The Ashland County Finance Committee approved hiring the Northwest Regional Planning Commission to write the county comprehensive plan and authorized staff to submit a $50,000 grant application to support the work; the county would pledge up to $25,000 if the grant is awarded.

The committee heard that the planning director plans to submit the grant on a first‑come, first‑serve basis and needs committee approval to include the county match commitment in the application. A committee member moved and the committee approved the request by voice vote.

Committee members said they welcome a county‑level comp‑plan update and that a regional planning commission can serve as project manager and bring technical staff and stakeholders to the planning process. The motion directs staff to proceed with the grant application and to engage Northwest Regional Planning Commission as the project lead if the grant award is received.

If the grant is awarded, county staff said the $25,000 local match would be a capital/operating contribution and would be considered in the county’s budget process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ashland County Finance & Economic Dev. 2/6/25","oneSentenceSummary","The finance committee approved hiring the Northwest Regional Planning Commission to prepare a county comprehensive plan and authorized submitting a $50,000 grant application that would require up to a $25,000 county match.","taxTitle","Ashland County, Wisconsin","taxId",72843,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344457,"Finance staff reports improved general‑fund outlook; committee asks staff to draft fund‑balance policy",392,228000,620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250853-597507ed419fb39957c7e9565fce2906&start=228&end=620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250853-597507ed419fb39957c7e9565fce2906/thumbnail_228000.jpg","/articles/6344457/Ashland-County/Wisconsin/Finance-staff-reports-improved-generalfund-outlook-committee-asks-staff-to-draft-fundbalance-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344457-edb7b0835d55a45fed0a43f05d9f1540/orig.mp4?Expires=1776201355&Signature=G68e7D~jAW8~qcXGNOw~WPXz3yHRfw3flIZvqNOEynt6A0lEq9cNLlCzhlURvBoZgRGuH85YuClKx-EM~GA8QY6QxApzQconnTCTpkzrLrc0hMMIqOZgv4BCwsfHdXeY6mzbETtcKdDaa-~y3LhYcVDORfd~Lrlqhnqikq9Foy0~9bUypahuTDWLpnMMbUriqlcRn5FOpUUwZ~x8zHlzifmPwsl5dAX3jBTqHJk~zCxpp-IShHfrxg84R0Ckm8ytWCdc~OLGW9Vsv4XYLSyWpkn5Uw8EmbGyBaXLm7Z3xiKgFdBUSxjTZG1GDwq4xUKIFrQWmlv9QGqfM2mtKdCkKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County finance staff presented preliminary closeout figures for the 2024 budget year and told the Ashland County Finance Committee the county’s unassigned general‑fund balance is stronger than recent years.

Finance staff explained that a court order nullified certain real‑estate tax receivables (the “Sanborn properties”), prompting a write‑off of about $1.4 million; the Wisconsin Department of Revenue then provided roughly $1.7–$1.8 million in state aid related to that matter. As a result of those accounting entries and accruals that remain to be finalized, staff said the unassigned general‑fund balance was about $1.8 million in staff calculations.

“One measure that the GFOA and other governments look at, you’d like to keep that number 15 to 16% … and that’s about 1.9,” a county finance presenter said, explaining the county’s current position versus the Government Finance Officers Association guideline. Staff cautioned several closeout entries and accruals were still in process and that some figures will change as departments submit late invoices and accruals are recorded.

Committee members asked that staff draft a formal fund‑balance policy as well as a budget‑amendment policy to provide clarity for future decisions. Staff agreed to prepare drafts for committee review prior to the next meeting.

Finance staff also noted that the county’s ARPA/LTACF funds may provide $300,000–$400,000 that could be used to help close out the county’s self‑insured health plan; that potential use was discussed and later the committee voted to apply the remaining ARPA balance to health‑insurance debt.

Committee members said the written fund‑balance and budget‑amendment policies will help guide future budget decisions and formalize target reserve levels for the county.","County finance staff presented January closeout details showing a stronger unassigned general fund balance after a tax write‑off and state aid; the committee asked staff to prepare a formal fund‑balance policy and a budget‑amendment policy.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344461,"Finance committee forwards sheriff’s HVAC replacement bid to county board, asks sheriff to seek additional bid",121,4527000,4648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250853-597507ed419fb39957c7e9565fce2906&start=4527&end=4648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250853-597507ed419fb39957c7e9565fce2906/thumbnail_4527000.jpg","/articles/6344461/Ashland-County/Wisconsin/Finance-committee-forwards-sheriffs-HVAC-replacement-bid-to-county-board-asks-sheriff-to-seek-additional-bid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344461-297814a9530c8b4f5398335243a62d72/orig.mp4?Expires=1776201355&Signature=CFR3mWiU-W5Fylph8~cahghP4m7VP5TI9ckEAtp27Z3ald2JZJkgsE3vUsJhnA51tLhR2z8CFYjeo0Gzt6WbpgSi45GUqvMZCsR9~cTunpCAuMKURyX4cpf5S3Bx~7X7Sgh2XmusnS6T3O-pJlY~7YhzZzTbG9n0ibhVSzzHXmGsXVmUWM-ExKFbXwnaNLHCVqmnmrl8~xLdAzyWTHOesWoGLHmNqbf4k2GNYBPHm7Ys6HZozeoTVi1LimkdKKfenFl3r832-vxLHjIpyGPYS2VvcQeqTz7EQQIIfYS6dMGaF-KJ8NANhZpxHSIasubMFq4HYVixS~QXHwWB9PvR-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ashland County Finance Committee voted to forward a Jamar Company proposal to replace the sheriff’s office and jail HVAC systems to the full county board with a request that the sheriff seek a second bid before the board meeting.

Sheriff Brian Zuckke told the committee the current system is about 30 years old and has required recurring repairs; recent repair costs exceeded $14,000. Jamar recommended a phased replacement and said long‑lead parts will take time to procure. Sheriff Zuckke said a down payment of $100,000 would be needed to order parts so installation can begin on the contractor’s timetable: “They need at least a down payment of a hundred thousand just so we can start the project,” he said.

Jamar provided a detailed estimate and lifecycle analysis; the contractor also estimated annual energy savings if the county installs new equipment — about $4,200 in electrical savings and $8,700 in natural‑gas savings per year for the proposed design.

Committee members acknowledged the long service relationship with Jamar and the specialized nature of the work, but several members sought additional competitive bidding or documentation that other contractors are unable to provide bids. The committee adopted a motion to forward the Jamar proposal to the county board for approval and simultaneously asked the sheriff’s office to attempt to secure at least one additional bid, or a written statement from other local contractors explaining why they could not bid.

County staff noted available funding options: $256,000 of debt levy funds considered eligible for capital expenses are currently unspent; the committee was told the county would need to identify roughly $480,000 more to cover the full project cost and that Jamar offered to order long‑lead materials and carry them into the next fiscal year to ease immediate cash demands.

The committee will place the Jamar proposal and its recommendation on the county board agenda for the board’s decision.","The finance committee forwarded a Jamar Company proposal to replace aging HVAC systems at the sheriff’s administration and jail facilities to the full county board, and asked the sheriff’s office to request a second bid before the board meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344467,"Finance committee recommends Norvado for county BEAD endorsement",3334,1106000,4440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250853-597507ed419fb39957c7e9565fce2906&start=1106&end=4440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250853-597507ed419fb39957c7e9565fce2906/thumbnail_1106000.jpg","/articles/6344467/Ashland-County/Wisconsin/Finance-committee-recommends-Norvado-for-county-BEAD-endorsement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344467-68795e9a82e98ab8134c5427674e8354/orig.mp4?Expires=1776201355&Signature=Ws4bKh2XdjuiDwlq7bvBVlb1ftaJ8CRArtoc~pvx9y4k~KZHpMI5K8RxHksAVW79irLANWezTocucHSi5wQfCULEuwJ3GkCN-RK~kaA2XjBF8hilHX8ShWDYRIIuRax3A4s5t-XmPbvwTub5bctfPXWKa7My2~iSRWKQv-GySpYrrHxcPY3OtqnSbpmRzyH8SJSJk3oHKH~FU0iYZ~ROn4PLrlItlwk1qaVdaPA1bgwdk27erD0tUzQheVrqpQ5m8bxPGUZc8mH28Pu4PZ6G73RYK7QVy2fmRbbKErR6-qqg23wz42My2A22~GV2QK-pXZgoD58VUkV7ToNkSCNTJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ashland County Finance Committee recommended that the county endorse Norvado’s application for federal BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) funding and will forward that recommendation to the county board for final action on Feb. 18.

Two companies pitched projects to cover BEAD‑eligible locations in Ashland County: Norvado (doing business as Chequamegon Communications Cooperative) and Bertram Communications. After hearing both presentations, the committee voted to recommend Norvado’s application, citing Norvado’s local operations and existing footprint in Ashland County.

Norvado’s presenter said the company would serve the shaded BEAD‑eligible areas without charging customers construction fees under that grant: “If we are awarded this grant through the BEED program, we will serve everybody in that shaded area without aid to construction,” the presenter said. Norvado said its existing network already provides one‑gigabit service to many communities in the region and that the proposed BEAD areas are contiguous to current facilities.

Bertram Communications also presented technical and pricing details, telling the committee the BEAD‑eligible households would not be charged a drop or installation fee under the grant and listing residential price tiers ($47.99 for 250/250 Mbps, $69.99 for 500/500 Mbps, $99.99 for 1 Gbps). “If they’re a BEAD eligible BSL, that’s included in the BEAD funding. We don’t charge them anything, and there is not an installation or activation fee,” Bertram’s presenter said.

The committee discussed local serviceability, competition, contractor use and the importance of an endorsement for the competitive grant scoring. The Public Service Commission representative explained endorsements add points to BEAD applications; committee members noted endorsements can be made for the whole county or for specific project units and that the county may endorse more than one applicant.

On a roll call the committee recorded the motion to recommend Norvado’s BEAD application and will place the recommendation on the Ashland County Board agenda for Feb. 18, when both companies have been invited to present to the full board.","After presentations from Norvado and Bertram Communications, the finance committee voted to recommend that the county endorse Norvado’s BEAD (BEED/BEAD) broadband application and send the recommendation to the county board.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344472,"Finance committee applies remaining ARPA balance to $800,000 health-insurance debt",85,937000,1022000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250853-597507ed419fb39957c7e9565fce2906&start=937&end=1022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250853-597507ed419fb39957c7e9565fce2906/thumbnail_937000.jpg","/articles/6344472/Ashland-County/Wisconsin/Finance-committee-applies-remaining-ARPA-balance-to-800000-health-insurance-debt","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344472-1dc599661ac56a1005670fdf203326ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1776201355&Signature=cXSKTGOD5h1A1v0pc9gGoQHm7LWP2arf3ZrBoOfi9AliBUnXagtALO1fNsgf1bwHVXOdFTwerGe9zyXingxxKS1xe-1T~cIi82b92Gs6luETh8WxTDp5rzoH2nxQK0bS3RTxtUUgJ9Me3~xtUVBiPsGITep2vXLstHR4556jI9HhOudVzj1Ld-~hvqMKChyEnU2nuIkOw3Ed39UZeWJE7LOzMiWvoG2QUaG2J105hrHvCpxAngBSUHIwkio46odxXhMjbpx~96qBV1G~plsKu-UofJal0NEvlxu2dV4tgrbbpbD40zbDVEZtrTWNfeA8hGh3zwTdhJ7riUFXz2XlgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ashland County Finance Committee voted to apply the county’s remaining ARPA balance to an estimated $800,000 in unrecoverable health‑insurance debt, the committee decided during its finance meeting.

County finance staff told the committee that, because the county’s ARPA award is under $10 million, the county may claim lost revenue under the federal guidance and treat the funds as available for closing that health‑insurance shortfall. “Because you were under 10,000,000 of ARPA, you can claim lost revenue as a blanket and just use it for any expenses,” one finance staff member said during the meeting.

The motion to apply the ARPA balance to the health‑insurance obligation passed on a voice vote; the committee recorded the motion as carried and will report the recommendation to the full county board. Committee members said they preferred to use ARPA now rather than risk future federal policy changes that could reduce available funds.

Committee members asked staff to show the ARPA expenditure on the county’s next federal reporting so that the county’s April filing will reflect the funds as spent as of the end of 2024. Finance staff said they will include the ARPA allocation in that report.

The committee’s action does not create a new county policy; it is an authorization to apply the county’s remaining ARPA funds to the specific health‑insurance debt and will be reflected in the county’s April ARPA report.

Funding decisions that flow from this action — including any budget or accounting entries needed to implement the ARPA allocation — will be processed by county finance staff and reported to the board in regular financial updates.","The Ashland County Finance Committee voted to apply the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) balance to cover roughly $800,000 in unrecoverable health insurance costs, citing a permissive federal lost‑revenue approach for smaller counties.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves applying for $50,000 comprehensive‑plan grant and hiring Northwest Regional Planning Commission

Finance staff reports improved general‑fund outlook; committee asks staff to draft fund‑balance policy

Finance committee forwards sheriff’s HVAC replacement bid to county board, asks sheriff to seek additional bid

Finance committee recommends Norvado for county BEAD endorsement

Finance committee applies remaining ARPA balance to $800,000 health-insurance debt