[{"_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",6561625,"mediaKeyId","3288475-62c4a375f8cae6f29502bde104d8a289","parentId",3288475,"title","Board approves economic-development proclamation and several appointments; ethics appointment draws objections but passes 13–4","audioSeconds",315,"startMs",2644000,"endMs",2959000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288475-62c4a375f8cae6f29502bde104d8a289&start=2644&end=2959","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288475-62c4a375f8cae6f29502bde104d8a289/thumbnail_2644000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561625/Chippewa-County/Wisconsin/Board-approves-economic-development-proclamation-and-several-appointments-ethics-appointment-draws-objections-but-passes-134","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561625-b9ddf53eb3afe5ae10ff3c9871eef47d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775935456&Signature=JmkeiD~ES7ZQzRx~wFYcblwVAaC90LJgs6peGHvSkYnfRz1YgeEzG0ZLqSghgFmDKsGRQctl0jN8QQ9PkAYy9DGAOL92RC2navZPAKWp2EnebikFkuhKLKmIDkqUworWG~XRBf3nLv0fDKmNPEyen5uqUbWqmMq-dlCM8t9xOmRbUlqrSrX4EXeCQHu9VpwyEMCZrRgHnccKznUDww5OO-qhw50sPGugLgAVIlr8kINVcqo2PFT8QByRIEHNpvSy3uBD6FY-6Syus~vB-ZGWvX0nnowg~jSIOniSCLAwlbflH3KfGMPQmKGVdzrivs2gckVqaJY-zA2a8Qbjg1H4-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chippewa County, WI","date","2025-05-14T00:25:16.15Z","article","The Chippewa County Board approved a resolution proclaiming May 2025 as Chippewa County Economic Development Week, and it confirmed several county appointments during its meeting.

Resolution 14-25, which declares support for local entrepreneurship and authorizes transmitting a certified copy to the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation, was moved by Supervisor Bomar, seconded by Supervisor Heidek, and approved by the board.

The board also approved the county administrator’s appointments:

- Scott Nobefeld as Facilities and Parks Director (appointment motion made and seconded; vote recorded as approved).
- Leah Simington as Finance Director (motion by Supervisor Gary Scholl; second by Supervisor Matt; appointment approved).
- Ruth Rosenow to the Housing Authority Commission (motion by Supervisor Bergeron; second by Supervisor Flynn; appointment approved).
- James Sherman, attorney, as an alternate member of the Ethics Inquiry Board (motion and second on the record; appointment approved by a 13–4 vote).

During discussion of the Ethics Inquiry Board appointment, at least one board member asked whether Sherman’s civil litigation involvement with Carlson and Company created a conflict of interest and whether close personal ties to board members could influence ethics matters. Another board member, speaking without a recorded name, said they had observed Sherman's public remarks to the board and described them as “disrespectful” and said they would not recommend him for the ethics post. County staff and the chair responded that conflicts would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis if a matter came before the board.

Charlie Walker, representing the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation, addressed the board in support of the proclamation and thanked the board for partnership on broadband, business-park infrastructure and workforce-development initiatives.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chippewa County Board regular meeting - May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Chippewa County Board unanimously approved a resolution declaring May 2025 Economic Development Week and approved multiple county appointments; the Ethics Inquiry Board alternate appointment of James Sherman passed 13–4 after several supervisors raised conflict and conduct concerns.","taxTitle","Chippewa County, Wisconsin","taxId",52049,"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},6561629,"County begins 2026 budget process; board told levy limits and timeline",659,1711000,2370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288475-62c4a375f8cae6f29502bde104d8a289&start=1711&end=2370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288475-62c4a375f8cae6f29502bde104d8a289/thumbnail_1711000.jpg","/articles/6561629/Chippewa-County/Wisconsin/County-begins-2026-budget-process-board-told-levy-limits-and-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561629-0cd405ec02e7ab0d68182bb5b58970e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775935456&Signature=exXsdZfO~rJQyBVfmz3YjEPyYUwP2yUjsewoU4VqNnKj6O6cORJYGSfn90OA4gCNxW5N4F25Hn1j2c4NO6S3hB1UDso0lAte192rViUzI64XgVAtJ06Br3aXYxWO5jbwV3z7niso4boGQp33xCVzOiOJYYT8vUC8u2IzWVKxnaNKe8S-MTm958WwLOYq9XFvJx1nkA9-ed61kO4nK5ugav9c8gmP5ALs2gHMG2ez6UHJ1blqgiLkXOMaMNxwVEFULbpi-9ENGSMyJo2Rmw46h-zIdkBUNmALvIvjh3qcvyR9heBrvDr~uyR1R3rs8xKr6g33~lMjFgTOrvtfpfS~BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assistant Finance Director Jennifer Steinmetz opened the county’s 2026 budget process to the board, explaining the roles of department heads, policy committees, the county administrator and the full board and laying out the timeline for budget preparation, public hearings and levy resolution.

Steinmetz said the county follows a three-phase process: department-head requests (DH requested), the county administrator’s proposed budget (CA proposed), and final board adoption. She reminded the board that the county must comply with state-imposed levy limits during the budget process and that the county administrator is required to provide a sales-tax plan and a balanced proposed budget.

Key dates Steinmetz listed: May — budget kickoff and distribution of budget guidance; June — final position-based budgeting (PBB) reports and presentation of the CIP and sales-tax resolutions; August — compilation and meetings with departments; October — county administrator presents the CA proposed budget to the executive committee and the budget summary will be published at least 15 days before the public hearing as required by state statute; November — two board meetings, the first (Thursday, Nov. 6) for public comment and presentation of the CA proposed budget, and the second (Wednesday, Nov. 12) to approve the levy resolution (the second meeting is scheduled on Nov. 12 because Nov. 11 is Veterans Day and state statute requires the meeting be held on the succeeding day).

Steinmetz said departments will be provided PBB reports showing wages and benefit costs and that policy committees will review department requests before forwarding them to the county administrator. She said any board changes to the administrator’s proposed budget must produce a balanced budget before adoption.","Assistant Finance Director Jennifer Steinmetz outlined the three-phase budget process, key dates from May through November, and legal requirements (levy limits and publication timelines) the board must follow to adopt the 2026 budget and levy.",{"_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},6561633,"County officials defend self-funded health plan and highlight savings from clinic and PT partnerships",462,2388000,2850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288475-62c4a375f8cae6f29502bde104d8a289&start=2388&end=2850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288475-62c4a375f8cae6f29502bde104d8a289/thumbnail_2388000.jpg","/articles/6561633/Chippewa-County/Wisconsin/County-officials-defend-self-funded-health-plan-and-highlight-savings-from-clinic-and-PT-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561633-689b2bc1b80b90aa6199a6a47bbf5086/orig.mp4?Expires=1775935456&Signature=TzsD5QG8O360PzfJO3p6b0HMZc7~SDFAa9Pwf3UeMTDo0tv5MpW6Ybv1PuStEhj0Fv4pWROq3wuc33MI-tQq54i00P9xDUfTbQLnkMDVCt0kDN9~cCODeBbo2hf0SwiaxNH-rWnotz6FUbIl~3YXNFiD67x9i24oV4xELawW6MtNpU9O-rJ0P04rk-O3ZsIaikqs3M1G2rZ6YmvS5XqKS7dfwUIaxUPqZ0vIC2lmb9M~b7c-99eHYB~34VWbN1BFW~1SXpDYc1PgNsKEWtXbDBPOfsodBbVLMYU2oP-KnD8G-JRRwaxzWAH2gLbpL3~eNZthsao17blnWfTS6OhOAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Human Resources Director Tony Hoefelder gave the Chippewa County Board a detailed update on the county’s self-funded health insurance program, saying the county has changed stop-loss carriers, tracked high-cost claimants, and used alternative care partnerships to restrain costs.

Hoefelder said the county moved from a captive stop-loss arrangement to a traditional stop-loss carrier, QBE, and that the change helped lower the county’s renewal from a broker estimate of 15.5% to about 15% in 2025. He reviewed fund-balance history: the county opened self-funding with about $1.4 million in reserve and built it up thereafter; 2024 showed large claims that reduced the variance, and the county administrator transferred $2.3 million into the health fund at year-end to maintain a healthy balance.

“We went ahead and did that in May,” Hoefelder said of recent broker briefings, and he summarized that high-cost claimants drove most of the 2024 increase — the number of claimants above certain high-cost thresholds rose substantially in 2024 compared with prior years.

Hoefelder described the county’s partnerships aimed at lowering costs. Reform Medicine (a near-site primary-care partner) has generated increased usage and lab-savings, he said; county slides showed 847 unique Reform Medicine utilizers since the program began and projected a large return on investment from avoided higher-cost visits and outside lab charges. Hoefelder presented a calculated return on investment from those partnerships and other programs and said the county had seen a roughly $1.3 million net benefit associated with the alternative-care initiatives.

He also described problems with Aletheus, a care-navigation partner: turnover in the Aletheus care-navigation team, slow callbacks, and billing promises that did not always hold, which created member experience complaints. Hoefelder said the county was exploring other options for navigation services.

Hoefelder reviewed a newer partnership with Doctors of PT (physical therapy). The county pays a fixed amount for initial PT visits and Hoefelder said early indicators suggest savings and some members avoiding surgery after PT. He said the county had explored adding chiropractic services but the broker did not recommend it because local pricing did not produce savings compared to existing options.

Asked by a board member whether the county should return to a fully insured plan, Hoefelder said, “We're gonna pay more,” and that, based on the county’s size and engagement, brokers recommended continuing self-funding while pursuing targeted plan changes and eligibility audits in future years.

Hoefelder said options for 2026 under consideration included modest premium-sharing for the first time in many years, dependent eligibility audits and exploring additional local partnerships to steer certain services to lower-cost providers.","Human Resources Director Tony Hoefelder told the board the county's self-funded plan remains preferable to full insurance, reported 2024 losses offset by transfers, and described partnerships—Reform Medicine and Doctors of PT—that produced cost savings and member engagement; he also flagged administrative issues with Aletheus care navigation.",{"_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},6561638,"Chippewa County finance director reports pre-audit 2024 fund transfers, growth in unassigned balance",576,634000,1210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288475-62c4a375f8cae6f29502bde104d8a289&start=634&end=1210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288475-62c4a375f8cae6f29502bde104d8a289/thumbnail_634000.jpg","/articles/6561638/Chippewa-County/Wisconsin/Chippewa-County-finance-director-reports-pre-audit-2024-fund-transfers-growth-in-unassigned-balance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561638-8e97781c6f8993f4fa8678207249da89/orig.mp4?Expires=1775935456&Signature=KEgTJQIG3zsgfwoZK2zvyoyYELSdFeoMieBicOQ~yfNAuFmk3RX7iCaCkbfcluaxxzs7DHL8nxux-8I3ETR3pHLIg7C~x41wroDNPTXnCbfJ0zASckF-M2Xza~xpK31jqaI2592Kxns3m9lXw6BOfZx2FpxcdoF-wa-qEJZnVA5ZmgB1WNJhWJvYc3TKEX1KUpxTqy2Ht4opcUCOt5bzPyoMuE03juHK0O05gyEqVT7Xj11q1gClJQyocSbtiCQCU1FcJm-~4zosDz8rZv2nPGF9AR90uqDAjPxJit53~7ZfYzlqLVk9dlrAx3ktvRLjdP4NQBz9N01TKoXLbLwPQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance Director Lori Sweeveler gave the Chippewa County Board an overview of the county’s 2024 pre-audited financial results and a first-quarter 2025 update, stressing the figures were “pre-audited” and that final audited results will arrive later in the year.

Sweeveler said that if all lapsing funds had closed to the general fund, unassigned fund balance would have increased by $2,410,848.42, but to comply with the county’s 2019 fund-balance policy an additional $1,730,893.42 was transferred at year-end. After those and other planned transfers, the county’s combined increase in fund balance was $4,141,174.84, and the net increase in unassigned fund balance recorded was $805,741.84.

The presentation listed specific year-end transfers that the county administrator directed: $2,300,000 moved into the self-funded health insurance account, $600,000 earmarked for M&T (maintenance and transportation) projects identified by Highway Commissioner Brian Kelly, and a set-aside related to juvenile detention costs. Sweeveler said the county set aside funds for an ongoing juvenile detention case that currently costs about $150,000 a year, and explained the county created a separate account to be used if departments exceed budget due to juvenile detention expenses.

Sweeveler also described special-revenue activity: public health, ADRC and aging saw net gains; human services showed a $1,276,532.04 gain mainly from reduced out-of-home placements; and the county created a new nonmetallic mining reclamation fund at the end of 2024 after capturing bond proceeds from a sand mine.

She said sales tax revenue grew 2.44% in 2024 and reminded the board that sales tax allocations follow Ordinance 2-361, which requires that revenue received in a year cannot be used until the subsequent budget year. Sweeveler noted outstanding long-term debt principal stood at $10,380,000 at the end of 2024 and that debt-service payments are typically funded from sales-tax-dedicated sources.

Sweeveler closed by reminding board members that the numbers presented were pre-audited and that the auditors had begun fieldwork; the final auditor report was expected later in the year.","Finance Director Lori Sweeveler presented a pre-audited 2024 financial report and first-quarter 2025 update, noting transfers to comply with the county's 2019 fund-balance policy, creation of a nonmetallic mining reclamation account, and long-term debt totals.",{"_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},6561643,"Resident warns farming practices are eroding county road right-of-ways",371,213000,584000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288475-62c4a375f8cae6f29502bde104d8a289&start=213&end=584","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288475-62c4a375f8cae6f29502bde104d8a289/thumbnail_213000.jpg","/articles/6561643/Chippewa-County/Wisconsin/Resident-warns-farming-practices-are-eroding-county-road-right-of-ways","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561643-db5fc092473d29a4d1e7d01cddad10cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775935456&Signature=erEhhAnU8FFIKdmmq4AU454TehYRF7SBoTzKieFa6fN~NP-mUxMCfQI3IHDahPMiFdwAZ00QWKsbxmgHc-a-0qqvYh6kVkq7cYCcHy2YQ6oimGu5Sl5x243htKcetffkqq~GDqEeYI1gmrW7NbNYIWUQ0-re9RBkuRQKpWQ3i655-LC1A6idvTh7~l6rMmMaus4sC1bfP5lyqUFDWMKVgM6aXG4aBqMt9XS7RQKp4k3D4kKGs7KwGkgrpYxhQp-vvQfwUgKDy25wKYmM29rtLxnUF3MV74-4KKJ5HOUXVtnwntzkGwGnY8fdS8XIb61TtRb8CfEGpHm0tj~fYBj49A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chuck Hasmer, a resident of County Highway GG in Bloomer, told the Chippewa County Board during public comment that farming practices are encroaching on road right-of-ways and threatening newly paved roads.

“What's happening to them is they're self destructing in front of our eyes because of the farming practices,” Hasmer said, naming Highway 64, County Double G and County Highway GG as examples where crop rows have been planted into the shoulder material. He described a paved road with an 18-inch shoulder that drops about 3 feet, and said the slope is now soft enough that “my feet started sliding” when he inspected the shoulder.

Hasmer said he and his son conducted drone flights over Highway 64 and County Double G to document the conditions. He said ditches that normally convey runoff and provide preliminary filtration for chemicals are gone in places, and that liquid manure has been placed up to the road without a ditch to contain it. “So it's gonna be detrimental to our ecosystem,” he said.

Hasmer named several officials and offices he has contacted about the problem, including Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s office, Rep. Rob Summerfield, town administrator Randy Schultz, road commissioner Brian Kelly and Sheriff Travis Hakes. He said Aaron Erlewine, formerly with Summerfield’s office, helped him look up statutes and interpret right-of-way language.

Hasmer said statutes leave “no gray” and that landowners who occupy or damage right-of-way are liable for restoring ditches and shoulders to county standards. He asked the board to investigate enforcement, saying he has documented many sites and would share photos.

The comment was delivered during the public-comment portion of the meeting; no board action was taken at that time.","A Bloomer resident told the Chippewa County Board that farm planting and removal of ditches are narrowing shoulders and risking washouts on recently paved county roads, and urged county enforcement of right-of-way statutes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves economic-development proclamation and several appointments; ethics appointment draws objections but passes 13–4

County begins 2026 budget process; board told levy limits and timeline

County officials defend self-funded health plan and highlight savings from clinic and PT partnerships

Chippewa County finance director reports pre-audit 2024 fund transfers, growth in unassigned balance

Resident warns farming practices are eroding county road right-of-ways