[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6105784,"mediaKeyId","2785443-22ca1ec6adf1f4f82f2e509ad6ba649b","parentId",2785443,"title","County board approves energy audit contract, boundary updates, personnel reallocations and several purchases; creates administrator search committee","audioSeconds",602,"startMs",5600000,"endMs",6202000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2785443-22ca1ec6adf1f4f82f2e509ad6ba649b&start=5600&end=6202","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2785443-22ca1ec6adf1f4f82f2e509ad6ba649b/thumbnail_5600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6105784/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/County-board-approves-energy-audit-contract-boundary-updates-personnel-reallocations-and-several-purchases-creates-administrator-search-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105784-feba1a2097e7937c69b55b0db1d4d345/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037653&Signature=ivCvXHNzlUrt3HW9N4fPuwwVxwxHX4BgHfbHQ3atDS91OUfdkSKYBv7IW-ONebViU34nuwMm6zlnIg~5bzM15oH4inox5O-fYCbDLj4Mo7n-8CnpOObYdK2FRnareH6AT8BOGAn8LDzr60faK9Lvr8JzFsdI05lMK62QjxJh2fG8gf9HNlCEc1hZfoZ83i5o3Gpv0GYfaIAs4-~KvzqRC~SX5zgTXN594luZW3k4Tw8pxAabw-RSShtBu43-BRLn2tgzMCU-NT77W2jXEhONqAGVEyOBkOqVT1rUQSpVtES29HIx0JUI2wSqgAii73wyRA0Z0E-agtn8qrhz2BlZcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jefferson County, WI","date","2025-03-27T03:08:27.147Z","article","The Jefferson County Board approved multiple resolutions and actions during the session, including contracts, boundary updates, staffing reallocations and purchases.

Votes at a glance (each item approved unless noted):

- Resolution 2024-408: Authorize county administrator to enter contract for a facilities energy audit (EE Consultants LLC) — the county received a $75,000 Public Service Commission grant to cover 100% of the audit; the Buildings & Grounds committee recommended awarding the contract to EE Consultants LLC for $67,800. The board approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2024-409: Amend supervisory district boundaries to reflect two annexations (town of Koshkonong into Fort Atkinson Ward 3 affecting pop. 3; town of Lake Mills into City of Lake Mills Ward 1 affecting pop. 2). Executive Committee recommended adoption; the board approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2024-450: Establish County Administrator Search Committee. The committee will include 13 members (five county board supervisors including board leadership, five current officials/staff and three former officials/staff). The Executive Committee recommended forwarding; the board approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2024-451: Adjust budget allocation of assistant corporation counsel position. Motion reallocates the assistant corporation counsel position to 0.5 FTE in Child Support and 0.5 FTE in Human Services (under Corporation Counsel supervision), enabling in‑house handling of termination of parental rights (TPR) cases and reducing outside‑counsel costs. The finance committee recommended approval; recorded vote: 30 yes, 0 no, 0 absent (resolution passed).

- Resolution 2024-452: Authorize repurchase of property from Nestlé Purina (repurchase at prior sale price using funds set aside from earlier transfers). Finance Committee recommended funding the repurchase from proceeds previously transferred to the general fund; the board approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2024-453: Highway department equipment purchases — authorize purchase of two self‑propelled road sweepers from American State Equipment for approximately $186,170 (funded from highway equipment operations center 53241); highway committee recommended approval; the board approved by voice vote (one recorded opposition was noted during discussion but final voice vote indicated approval).

- Land & Water Conservation resolution: Authorize one‑year extension of the county farm agricultural lease at current rental rate ($290.25 per acre) through 02/28/2026 (the current lease ends 02/28/2025). Committees recommended the extension; the board approved by voice vote.

- Parks committee resolution (2024-55): Approve Rock Solid Trail Contracting proposal (~$25,200) for trail reroute and erosion mitigation at Garmin Nature Preserve; project to be paid 100% from donated endowment funds. Board approved by voice vote.

- Planning and Zoning: Adopt ordinance 2024-12 amending the official zoning map consistent with committee recommendations; one supervisor abstained (conflict of interest); ordinance approved.

- Appointments: Board confirmed a set of appointments including library and human-services board positions; Fair Park advisory board appointments were also approved.

Procedural notes: Several items were approved by voice vote with no recorded roll-call counts in the transcript; where a recorded vote was reported (resolution 2024-451), the minutes show 30 yes, 0 no, 0 absent. Several motions included named movers and seconders in the record (e.g., approval of minutes, and multiple resolutions recorded with mover/second), and fiscal notes were presented for items funded by grants, transfers or department budgets.

The board also acknowledged multiple retirements during the meeting and received informational presentations (including the budget presentation and a published video about the Mott Center).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jefferson County WI Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","The Jefferson County Board approved multiple resolutions and actions during the session, including contracts, boundary updates, staffing reallocations and purchases.","taxTitle","Jefferson County, Wisconsin","taxId",63442,"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},6105788,"Jefferson County administrator presents $109 million 2025 budget; warns of multi‑year funding gap",1515,1822000,3337000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2785443-22ca1ec6adf1f4f82f2e509ad6ba649b&start=1822&end=3337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2785443-22ca1ec6adf1f4f82f2e509ad6ba649b/thumbnail_1822000.jpg","/articles/6105788/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Jefferson-County-administrator-presents-109-million-2025-budget-warns-of-multiyear-funding-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105788-c560ab9cf0cc19d5ecb62fbc9194c675/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037653&Signature=lox4Munm~etGeaBwh6Syyyp5QlngnG2WLvPahQ6sA8~Qn~WmEXaE6nyCE5Uqrbe634Vl~gbNUY9t7ccyjIY19gxyzJ9dmgXuARLRC2JrOdA3hDQ6CjB883tABVBTpIM7rL4OAvC7VMg3Nhn4SQ3AwhCjXVqDfz4HQEOakLQw~-09C1U5LwsHX3YcfOSEIyi2DwGurbzxjLg-IuJL8BoPa5ZdfUZuBZzwClUB4PHEaRELoRo2mt8lIb-103FXBjq5GsFb8YZP4BCAKbJ7eG9LfCUeM5Hr43bT0G1BwijnP5-~i-WHe1oiHR5PDg47Yc5f8EULeIUwLTZHWoYGn1bRbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Administrator Ben presented the proposed 2025 county budget, describing a recommended total of about $109,000,000 and outlining key revenue trends, staffing changes and capital priorities.

Ben said the recommendation represents roughly a $3,000,000 increase over the prior year and that much of the change is driven by added personnel and rising technology and insurance costs. He described the plan as a “reset caretaking budget” focused on sustaining current services rather than introducing major new initiatives.

Major budget points Ben highlighted:
- Total recommended budget: about $109,000,000 (approximately $3,000,000 increase over prior year).
- Tax levy (including library and health department non‑countywide levies): about $34,800,000; countywide levy just under $32,700,000.
- Estimated sales-tax revenue: budgeting conservatively at about $9,000,000 (current trend could approach $9.25 million).
- Mill rate: general mill rate reported at 2.4688; debt levy reduction of about $580,000 this year, producing a notable tax‑levy benefit over the last two years.
- Personnel: recommendation includes a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment implemented as 1.5% in January and 1.5% in July, retention of the step program and the addition of 10 human‑services positions funded by outside revenues; total authorized positions in the budget are roughly 706 with 680 funded.
- Human services adjustments: the presentation noted difficult choices in human services budgets, including pausing the Busy Bee preschool and reconsidering county-funded parental representation for judicial engagement because of rising costs and mixed outcome data. Ben said courts and judges remain interested in alternatives and grant funding is being pursued.
- Capital and infrastructure: capital recommendations total roughly $11,200,000, including the Inner Urban Trail final phase and several highway projects (County Highway D — approx. $4.1 million; County Highway P improvements). Ben also highlighted near‑completion of the courthouse/sheriff/jail project and ongoing broadband and fleet management work.
- Fund balance and fiscal policy: Ben proposed reviewing the fund‑balance policy, noting reserves were adjusted upward for vested benefits, incurred‑but‑not‑recognized (IBNR) insurance liabilities and carryover from property sales. He recommended engaging GFOA for stress‑testing the county’s reserves and cautioned against one‑time fixes that create structural deficits.
- Other fiscal signals: discussion of Act 12 and its effect on personal property aid, an increase in state shared revenue this year, higher utility‑tax receipts tied to new solar generation, and ongoing uncertainty about larger opioid settlement timing and amounts.

Ben framed the budget as balancing immediate operations with preserving flexibility for emerging needs. He asked board members to submit amendments by noon on Nov. 4 and noted the public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for Oct. 22, with finance committee review Nov. 5 and final county‑board action Nov. 12.

Direct quotes in Ben’s presentation included his summary questions to guide the board: “Does this budget ultimately meet the desired goals and priorities of the board and the strategic plan? Does this create sustainability and stability for fiscal attributes of the county for the future?” He also warned against short-term fixes: “The easy button to make the budget balance work in about 5 minutes is here to be very honest. Mark and I didn’t want to do that.”

No formal budget adoption occurred at this meeting; Ben presented the recommended budget and outlined the calendar and process for public hearings, finance committee review and final county board action.","County Administrator Ben presented a proposed 2025 budget totaling about $109 million, outlining new positions funded outside the levy for human services, a modest mill-rate reduction, and projected annual structural gaps of $1.5–2.0 million in coming years.",{"_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},6105793,"Partners highlight Mott Center as local youth crisis stabilization option for Jefferson County",240,60000,300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2785443-22ca1ec6adf1f4f82f2e509ad6ba649b&start=60&end=300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2785443-22ca1ec6adf1f4f82f2e509ad6ba649b/thumbnail_60000.jpg","/articles/6105793/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Partners-highlight-Mott-Center-as-local-youth-crisis-stabilization-option-for-Jefferson-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105793-619314f55fde81df2058027b61937138/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037653&Signature=jZUtgGIiU3WSeiAlkvVM6neHXqBuL-hfYaCw0n2URmKdWF-xV2o15zcupyFncCv-F4jr0JEyOCXCFZMXOtRHgcfvbHeGD-rIQiUcUf6qQ-LhHiHdLwDKSevPlvdlhY5p0VEB-NtTttRsHkRWStPtNuwFuVMIfhec183RRadvVmxhN2HRk1AqH30IKpgwYKrzT8JQ51yLAJo8qDQK6XybaRttmmhfOP8MdnS4H2b0fmeWF8PIrfZ5~q~wVAOrXuNhEPamGyIWt3NUWu67dLZ37OoG5Gk386dZk9d-w7IrLpU8wHmmSFrjZjcV1cxIV5Si-YPM-5eMP1OKa4dG0XhHyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A county presentation and video showcased the Mott Center, a youth crisis stabilization facility serving Jefferson County that partners described as an alternative to hospital stays and long-distance placements.

Speakers said the facility provides short-term crisis stabilization so young people can remain in their community, maintain school attendance and continue visits with family while receiving trauma-informed, dialectical behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. A presenter described the site as “a no brainer” when the opportunity to repurpose a former summer-camp campus emerged.

The presenters said the Mott Center was developed through local partnerships, including Jefferson County and a provider with prior experience operating similar facilities. They said local operation prevents youth from being transported three to four hours away, preserves continuity with local providers and supports family visitation.

According to the presentation, staff at the Mott Center receive intensive training in trauma‑informed and trauma‑responsive care and in DBT. The speakers framed primary goals as reducing hospital stays for youth in crisis and providing community-based, short-term stabilization rather than long-term out‑of‑area placements.

Presenters additionally emphasized the collaborative nature of the project and noted the Mott Center is among a small number of youth crisis stabilization facilities in Wisconsin. A speaker said: “When the youth crisis stabilization facility opportunity opened up, it was brought to me and just said, this is a no brainer. You love doing crisis work.”

The county board previewed a short video produced with a local media partner as part of broader communications about the facility; the video was released publicly the same day, the presenter said.

The presentation did not include new board action or a vote on the facility during the meeting. Board materials and the video were referenced as informational and promotional; no changes to contracts or funding for the Mott Center were reported in the public record during this session.","County presenters showed a new video and described the Mott Center, a locally based youth crisis stabilization facility intended to reduce youth hospitalizations and keep families connected during crises.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County board approves energy audit contract, boundary updates, personnel reallocations and several purchases; creates administrator search committee

Jefferson County administrator presents $109 million 2025 budget; warns of multi‑year funding gap

Partners highlight Mott Center as local youth crisis stabilization option for Jefferson County