[{"_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",6277396,"mediaKeyId","2655415-b77560f2793fe275b6821bff6986e53a","parentId",2655415,"title","Veterans service officer reports retro payments, survey finds split on memorial type and preferred Hayward location","audioSeconds",314,"startMs",450000,"endMs",764000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2655415-b77560f2793fe275b6821bff6986e53a&start=450&end=764","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2655415-b77560f2793fe275b6821bff6986e53a/thumbnail_450000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6277396/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Veterans-service-officer-reports-retro-payments-survey-finds-split-on-memorial-type-and-preferred-Hayward-location","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277396-3b743585417111ff819de594e86542d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776573113&Signature=Np8a3SGA8sxFOLtm2hLx6ur1ONJcmo060Xm5z4cOtgRIvZxsDPqaBymDjaOibQfqxfP89B0O4clvrISqYqhaEQLs4G7lY6k7DaSR1LagRG3Eq8Jq6eprN6VhyaZV7zMmkhRQW6xLYNu0EE-hwROrcSwyydQTneV9K6ha0ZnKKA8L7ANkgobg9TCh0UImxhN41Q9cdyCgN9iZ7dnahYJUd9ynvmeQqaMpr1XH2IMjbUEgi3aTycxJMqKO71ZMzYKqAMkW-EK~N89W4onFqVPurq53zzEkIxemYwUAR1SF1nCyjNvzMia0QJ20eiri88a3VCu642uFXc4h7IST~UmWOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sawyer County, WI","date","2025-03-14T17:11:46Z","article","Gary, the county’s veterans service officer (first name given in the record), told the committee his office processed 589 phone calls, 892 letters/emails/faxes and 203 office visits in February. He said the office submitted 34 disability claims to the VA and received retroactive payments totaling $43,158.37 for claims decided in veterans’ favor.

Gary reported the La Crosse Vet Center co-managed counseling sessions and that the office continues regular outreach such as monthly \"coffee and conversation\" events. He said social-media reach increased modestly and staff training is up to date.

The veterans office conducted a short, two-question survey to gather preferences on a possible veterans memorial. Gary said 89 responses were received (about a 20% return from roughly 440 deliverable emails). The first question asked whether respondents preferred (1) a simple, low-maintenance, highly visible memorial or (2) a park-like, less-visible memorial. Responses were nearly even: 39 favored the simple, visible memorial and 41 favored a park-like setting; six were unsure and three selected neither option.

The second question asked whether a memorial should be located in or near Hayward (closer to the county seat) or in a more centralized location within Sawyer County, with respondents showing a clear preference for Hayward—71 selected Hayward, 12 selected centralized, and five were unsure.

Gary also discussed recent remarks by the VA secretary and state-level budget proposals affecting veterans programs, including a referenced proposal to increase CVSO grants by 5% and a $100,000 proposed increase to county transportation services grants; he said he has seen no direct negative impacts to local veteran services to date.

Gary offered to continue the survey if the committee wants more input; committee members thanked him for the outreach and data.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Administration 2025 03 13","oneSentenceSummary","The veterans service office reported disability retroactive payments, outreach activity and a survey showing roughly even support for two memorial designs with strong preference for locating a veterans memorial in or near Hayward.","taxTitle","Sawyer County, Wisconsin","taxId",73055,"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},6277401,"Clerk reports steady caseload: public-records, dog licenses, plat-book issues and upcoming election work",260,97000,357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2655415-b77560f2793fe275b6821bff6986e53a&start=97&end=357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2655415-b77560f2793fe275b6821bff6986e53a/thumbnail_97000.jpg","/articles/6277401/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Clerk-reports-steady-caseload-public-records-dog-licenses-plat-book-issues-and-upcoming-election-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277401-0148c87f22a24070fdcaeee6949302c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776573113&Signature=eoVl8cn5l8wovLk7ZJLpJH2iwUigwZCcj7Xue7DGjDssfduZpV3ovFv~5NeeeEFHuW71gwKf3Amjy-zqqHnbOoBkuQkCVQy2Z-nL9Nkde1ywBb52bsZMKMkj6WaOxTmJ2mzStNG9FiW8VXAPdPnWj-zaAFOf8ppfQdwwJYXA92q0mQicEfvr~Bnl9oEIGggcG4B7MjNfl3n8H2HfCABiiJg~4rwqb4dycidRX62UByHjq0xQlowKhcEmodOY1MZ5ZzxnPVzHVM41-Db1cIUgoTJDDzM0Ws7pLUx62S3JzQthzTK8Y2orsaWFZoq8BFXljIe3Yk9zpRjiuZ-waJx45Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The county clerk reported that the public-records system has handled 18 new requests since the last period and 301 total since last June, with 19 closures in the last month. Staff time costs and modest fees were discussed; clerks earn some revenue for services but the program primarily covers staff time.

The clerk explained the dog-license program’s public-health purpose: licenses help the county track rabies vaccine batches and contact owners in the event of an outbreak. The clerk described scanning rabies-vaccine documentation into the system so residents can more easily renew licenses even when vaccine paperwork is lost. The clerk reported 67 dog licenses issued recently and noted the $10 fee for neutered dogs and $15 for unneutered, with most of the fee remitted to the state.

On plats and plat books, the clerk said the office is reviewing issues related to judges’ information and potential redactions; the office will continue to examine whether redaction is required and how to implement it for physical plat books.

Regarding elections, the clerk said the upcoming April election will proceed with the status quo to avoid making procedural changes between a primary and a regular election. The clerk said she will meet with town clerks after the election to discuss shifting to a hybrid approach in which town clerks enter some absentee-voter data directly into Wispot while the county continues oversight.

The committee approved the minutes of the February 13 meeting earlier in the session on a motion by Tom Duffy, seconded by Stacy Hessel; the motion carried. The clerk thanked deputy Laura for organizing several office programs and improvements.

The clerk indicated that open-records requests have been manageable and encouraged residents to submit requests through the tracking system so departments can record responses and staff time.","Sawyer County clerk reported steady processing of public-record requests and document scanning efforts, explained the dog-license program’s rabies-tracking purpose, and outlined plans to train town clerks on absentee-voter procedures ahead of an upcoming election.",{"_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},6277406,"Towns press for changes as Sawyer County reviews ambulance service, staffing and response times",443,1957000,2400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2655415-b77560f2793fe275b6821bff6986e53a&start=1957&end=2400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2655415-b77560f2793fe275b6821bff6986e53a/thumbnail_1957000.jpg","/articles/6277406/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Towns-press-for-changes-as-Sawyer-County-reviews-ambulance-service-staffing-and-response-times","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277406-9523ddd5bb71240dafd98847e2797a12/orig.mp4?Expires=1776573113&Signature=giP8mfG4IQJjwhQPf3wSJPKFxO8ba8QLGA9MANG4GIN038jeTOvTff7acGez-GDrUL-8trbHk3VGStgdC3msyal~bxmocYUyT~luM0Uh~EBrJToV3-scgchVxSj~rdb94GuWHuyRNeNG1wKkpDMYoDVMERVQ18S4BIhWw167bwzodPjZLkj2OD5XE3eHCT4yk~ey9QdSgod8sJukIHD0E7kiyw-n491th52jHnTjjQDVc-xXuIDNHeEdS~snPBm6sTbGlG4L1lyAmSuVBkdVBRDSMKAuiBNFJT75iYjiKXE1qGlssTKZNOjXuW2qdcqsYlWh-zstkMAawlvAVxcGQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sawyer County officials told the Administrative Committee that seven towns have contracted a consultant through a state innovation planning grant to study ambulance/EMS services, response times, radio issues and cost-sharing; the consultant is collecting run reports and staffing data from county ambulance leadership.

County staff and committee members said some towns—Edgewater and Sand Lake among those discussed—had asked to be removed from county ambulance service. Officials explained that towns cannot unilaterally leave county levied services; towns may contract for different fire or EMS providers but remain on county levies for services like EMS unless the county board acts.

Committee discussion focused on response times and staffing shortages. County staff said the county averages roughly 2,000 calls per year (about six calls a day) with three full-time rigs operating now (two based near Hayward and one on Ojibwe lands). Staff noted the county has been increasing hours on a third truck (the “power truck”) to full-time, which has expanded coverage. They also said prior studies recommended centralizing rigs based on run locations and warned that shorter response times would require additional ambulances and staff, which would increase costs.

County staff described friction when multiple services respond to the same call and said an innovation planning grant’s 10% cost-savings target could conflict with state maintenance-of-effort rules for shared revenues that require stable funding and staffing levels for EMS, fire and law enforcement.

Committee members said volunteer/on-call coverage in some townships historically failed to produce crews when paged; as a result, the county moved toward more full-time staffing. Members discussed that recruiting and retaining certified personnel is difficult: the county helped three employees obtain paramedic certification last year but those staff received outside job offers after certification.

Committee staff pledged cooperation with the consultant and said they had provided run-time reports and staffing information. No formal action was taken; staff will continue to participate in the study and bring any recommendations back to public safety and the county board.","Seven towns have contracted a consultant to study EMS services and cost-sharing; committee members said staffing shortages and funding limits constrain response-time improvements.",{"_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},6277410,"Administrator announces resignation; county administrative report covers tax-deed ordinance changes, airport and radio projects",199,1161000,1360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2655415-b77560f2793fe275b6821bff6986e53a&start=1161&end=1360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2655415-b77560f2793fe275b6821bff6986e53a/thumbnail_1161000.jpg","/articles/6277410/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Administrator-announces-resignation-county-administrative-report-covers-tax-deed-ordinance-changes-airport-and-radio-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277410-fcb90ac2c86bd2653723062f7ebe8530/orig.mp4?Expires=1776573113&Signature=PynJ4sGGv8Nd1jjfwVaR5GE3ZhSNs0OieKlJSRCTTswN3zr8LSgzbNwHe7vVCIrJLBJ2lS3QS6pXC-7Z6eMwI1xLau8oq8CDUUb5CxcJvgTE7l8wRskbPS8E~BjbsmaNhD9Fgm~LSXSiEZRwlvZyfM312znwZSvhmNRkv75LP8uljxVoUdhqwY52Ao~vSKvHaWsGpKOiLgte5HQp--3u9eJ-xrzoZg5idDL5oaDY0fFSzea4bnQgw3tLU14IlUsBU54A1-p77hIS4h38vGKbRnP7T0LmgDyslWHNWAdDDx8Ik1ucfdQkVue12rdJkKnYkLD0Igy6-zLPnjx0a3lK-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sawyer County Administrator (name recorded as Mr. Alvarado) told the Administrative Committee he has submitted a written resignation and plans to leave in late April; the committee received a multi-topic administrative report covering tax-deed ordinance revisions, pending litigation, airport projects and public-safety radio network work.

Alvarado said he formally submitted a resignation and that Chippewa County approved his appointment; his planned last day in Sawyer County is April 24 and his first day in Chippewa County is planned as April 28. He said staff will work to wrap up projects and prepare turnover materials.

The administrator told the committee the county is reintroducing a revised tax-deed lands ordinance in response to state statute changes (act numbers referenced in the meeting as “207” and “216”) and recent case law. The revised ordinance would align the local timeline with state statute for taking tax-deed property (three years) rather than the county’s prior five-year practice. He cited the U.S. Supreme Court case Tyler v. Hennepin as having changed how counties must treat surplus proceeds from tax-sales, saying the county’s ordinance now must include attempts to return surplus proceeds to prior owners and follow state statutory timelines.

Alvarado also warned the county is among the 71 counties and the state named in a class-action suit seeking recovery of previously retained surplus proceeds; county attorneys and insurance carriers are reviewing the matter.

On airport matters, the administrator reported that construction contracts for runway reconstruction have been signed and that work will start “as soon as road bans come off,” with a roughly 30-working-day schedule expected for completion. He also said the county received approval through the BOA for a near-$500,000 acquisition of snow-removal equipment (loader, snowblower, plow) with the county match estimated at $9,000–$12,000.

On public-safety communications, the administrator said negotiations over the WOJB tower remain unresolved and that GenComm is reviewing existing towers as higher priority; the county is awaiting a response from tribal legal counsel on a proposed agreement. He said building a new tower remains a last-resort option.

The report included updates on broadband beta applications, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) activities including treatment court and pretrial work, and that common-credit sales are progressing, though final proceeds are pending. Facilities work has progressed on office consolidations and modest remodeling; one clerk-of-court remodeling project was shelved after the clerk determined it was not needed.

Committee members asked questions about timelines for the tax-deed ordinance changes and how to phase any change from five years to the statutory three-year timeline to avoid surprising property owners. The administrator said the treasurer will need to phase the change with notification to property owners.

No votes were taken on ordinance language at the committee level; the covened Land, Water and Forestry Committee had asked for revisions and the administration intends to bring a revised ordinance back to the board next month.","County administrator announced a planned April departure; the administrative report updated the board on proposed changes to the county’s tax-deed ordinance under new state law, a class-action liability concern, runway reconstruction scheduling, airport snow-equipment procurement and public-safety radio tower negotiations.",{"_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},6277414,"Sawyer County committee approves use of executive recruiter to help fill administrator vacancy",257,3319000,3576000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2655415-b77560f2793fe275b6821bff6986e53a&start=3319&end=3576","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2655415-b77560f2793fe275b6821bff6986e53a/thumbnail_3319000.jpg","/articles/6277414/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Sawyer-County-committee-approves-use-of-executive-recruiter-to-help-fill-administrator-vacancy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277414-5bc08873d8f7b07f89f616998fe5591e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776573113&Signature=iPKjc-kdxAstKvJTw847FHohGj8grCuTHdDgxyd35yBY73uGkNVtuckUyEnqFWsqQ35fiCFqlOtHgUvcASQTVOC30ucOUsRD3F4G50kitFEseZoQ3nvwnpfWpIQAmPSkLl3JYho51NseQ3Z2hA2Xta40P48sm2-GXri9z6VezDsObQtU~5FYR59zfC75hP-4suw-x-1GJ9u7dtGKEFSLWys3P8HQb1CabZkOKVhG5Eor799DPujAxIGFYMhLeqc9bJxjg~YfExqJgvJmPUNhMZtaDAM1Ww5vGrlbF6SeEin9uTP82KoxM-Tp4ZQ69rgp8yiZt3ETEjEX3aimAn3skA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sawyer County Administrative Committee voted March (date not specified) to refer a contract with a public administration firm to the full county board to help identify and recruit applicants for the county administrator vacancy.

The committee moved into closed session under Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e) to discuss negotiating terms with Public Administrative Associates (PAA) before returning to open session. After the closed session, Committee Member Mr. Buckle made the motion to approve PAA to help obtain administrator applicants; the motion was seconded by Mr. Righeimer and carried on a voice vote. Chair confirmed the committee will forward the contract to the full county board for action.

The committee chair read the closed-session motion that cited the negotiating exemption in Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e), describing the purpose as discussing a possible contract and negotiating terms “to ensure the county’s competitive and bargaining position.” The board reconvened in open session and took the referral vote without specifying exact wage terms in the motion.

The motion in open session did not include salary or final contract terms; committee members indicated the referral would allow the county board to review and approve contract language and compensation. The administrator who announced a resignation earlier in the meeting said his planned last day is April 24 and his first day with the appointing county is April 28; the committee said staff will wrap up projects and prepare turnover materials before that date.

No further details on the fee or timeline for PAA’s work were included in the open session record. The committee recorded that Liz Cline, the county clerk, and the human resources representative remained for the closed session at the administrator’s request.

The committee will forward the contract referral to the full county board for final action.","The administrative committee voted after closed session to refer a contract with a public administration firm to the full county board to assist in recruiting candidates for the county administrator role.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Veterans service officer reports retro payments, survey finds split on memorial type and preferred Hayward location

Clerk reports steady caseload: public-records, dog licenses, plat-book issues and upcoming election work

Towns press for changes as Sawyer County reviews ambulance service, staffing and response times

Administrator announces resignation; county administrative report covers tax-deed ordinance changes, airport and radio projects

Sawyer County committee approves use of executive recruiter to help fill administrator vacancy