[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_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",6537869,"mediaKeyId","3424224-1f123d83beec5291ce9e0af275552569","parentId",3424224,"title","Votes at a glance: key Eau Claire County Board actions on May 20, 2025","audioSeconds",1820,"startMs",4977000,"endMs",6797000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3424224-1f123d83beec5291ce9e0af275552569&start=4977&end=6797","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3424224-1f123d83beec5291ce9e0af275552569/thumbnail_4977000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537869/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/Votes-at-a-glance-key-Eau-Claire-County-Board-actions-on-May-20-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537869-99edf6e5984c4c9fa8d71bc04b013744/orig.mp4?Expires=1776545635&Signature=LnAwMIoxLzcrNzhORFyPZd0DvX8cuno4MQ8pxjGhO8clnq2P5Pq7pMY-oObH295wPGYc-Bq05R-mq5baJUOBp7ty85ivXYaL05jCnaIZ1WHnT44Qz3dLVEmSuK9YThm3vG68tc6SBIAwRYTcmx~9DnMwWYJp-4lZAJh1ukpukZ6MYhWHMyMiaZm6EsnQJaVDDza2MxS4S1Mp1N8~QXH0gsCUWeo3WoP0E~I7XLu3dJ4DEUAnmN~JJaSeI-Y5juInATAThroJ5Pcj6q7YjHv~rmNsTXSQ0sJt2e~cIZqjC9Bo~30TNpeEuAm7K7c76~u9pbekUh1D3kNlNs7H54h4ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Eau Claire County","date","2025-05-20T19:00:00Z","article","The Eau Claire County Board considered and voted on a number of resolutions and routine items on May 20, 2025. This roundup lists the principal actions and their outcomes.

Votes and outcomes (summary)
- File 08 (WCA annual business meeting resolutions): Passed (17 yes, 7 no). The board forwarded five resolutions for consideration by the Wisconsin Counties Association; an amendment to remove one resolution was defeated in a separate vote.
- File 15 (Create Farmland Preservation Plan Update Steering Committee): Passed unanimously (24–0). The board created the steering committee; member names will be appointed following the county application/appointment rules.
- File 16 (Adopt Eau Claire County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan [chapter revision]): Passed unanimously (24–0).
- File 19–22 (Spring 2025 tax‑delinquent in rem sales): Each resolution awarding bids on specific tax‑delinquent parcels passed (votes recorded as unanimous where noted). These actions direct Corporation Counsel to prepare quitclaim deeds and the Treasurer to execute them.
- File 23 (Confirming authority of counsel to add defendants to opioid litigation, including INMDL 2804): Passed (vote recorded as unanimous in committee; roll call approved the reaffirmation; transcript indicated approval by board).
- File 24 (2025 budget amendment: grant awards/donations): Passed (two‑thirds required; approved by the board).
- File 25 (2025 budget carry‑forward of unspent 2024 funds): Passed (two‑thirds required; approved by the board).
- File 26 (Abolish one full‑time Child Support Resource Specialist FTE): Passed (vote recorded 23 yes, 0 no in committee and approved by the board).
- File 02 (Zoning amendment — Town of Drammen, Hemlock Road parcel): Passed (24–0); rezoned roughly 17.1 acres from agricultural preservation to A‑2 agricultural‑residential.
- File 10 (Resolution supporting local and state emergency management programs): Passed (24–0).

Notable failed action
- File 28 (transfer $30,000 from the 2025 contingency fund to Catholic Charities to support Sojourner House): Motion to approve failed (required two‑thirds; vote recorded 19 yes, 5 no). A later motion to postpone the funding decision to the next meeting was also defeated.

Procedural notes: several items required two‑thirds votes (budget amendments, carry‑forwards and contingency transfers). The board moved several items out of agenda order to accommodate members and public attendees. Routine financial and tax sale items were handled by roll call or consent during the finance and budget segment.

For more detailed coverage: separate articles in this package cover the Department of Human Services annual report, the failed Sojourner House contingency request, the farmland preservation steering committee action, and the Loews Creek Park utility easement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Eau Claire County - County Board of Supervisors - May 20, 2025 - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a set of routine resolutions and financial items, adopted zoning and county forest updates and authorized counsel actions on opioid litigation; a contingency transfer for Sojourner House failed.","taxTitle","Eau Claire County, Wisconsin","taxId",4139,"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},6537874,"Board approves city utility easement through Loews Creek County Park, county counsel says fees waived",182,3359000,3541000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3424224-1f123d83beec5291ce9e0af275552569&start=3359&end=3541","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3424224-1f123d83beec5291ce9e0af275552569/thumbnail_3359000.jpg","/articles/6537874/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/Board-approves-city-utility-easement-through-Loews-Creek-County-Park-county-counsel-says-fees-waived","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537874-63d3dc03c85160cde86547ccc2ec74f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776545635&Signature=FPOj1n~gLeCMlB8-DeL7FRFWLnHScVPVH6epv7pCT7lRJQBdpXPmlX4p7WvSy2nwCfSegzo8FSHzCfoPwrLzJ3PqxLiwnLsYUozcAU8p-mfE~XlA4qn2kyJnqeL8tB3x6GOlohoavl-1LXA3wcrEn2eCU2A8LJyYLnNLAyuUvtIcSn4yUF5NXDg-ooap-mkTCiJ5HhfbcFebB6KzttzchuTAy4I6NZi1c4q5Zw7zFJHB70uZuXdhqwG9xJXIIMjDLyqtK2auRjeTwG8U9VVNC6j8doDvmAGANf-WK0T5CUnU4l6JRcpvTVD1nFfJfwbl64tIBFO3vUlSvNq65~c7iA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Eau Claire County Board approved a resolution granting the City of Eau Claire an underground utility easement through Loews Creek County Park to allow installation of bored water and sewer lines. The resolution passed unanimously (24–0).

Why the easement: city engineers proposed a route that cuts under the park and Loews Creek to shorten utility runs and avoid longer, more expensive routes along the road. Parks and Forests initially raised concerns about assessments and potential surface disturbance; county counsel Chauncey Ellifson said negotiations produced a favorable outcome for the county.

Counsel’s summary: Ellifson told the board the city initially planned a perimeter route that would have assessed the county roughly $550,000 for frontage-based assessments. After negotiations and the proposed underground easement route, the city has agreed to waive all assessments and connection fees to the county, including any future assessments associated with road improvements. “Ultimately, all parties agreed that there would be no fees assessed,” Ellifson said, adding that the city’s signed contract will “waive any assessments.”

Technical and restoration details: Leah Ness, City of Eau Claire engineering director, described the plan to bore under Loews Creek and install the lines roughly 8 feet below grade; she said the city will restore the surface and is responsible for repairing any damage. The easement grants the city underground access and a 50‑foot wide corridor only for installation and upkeep; the county retains ownership and other surface rights.

Board discussion: supervisors asked whether the easement limits future county land use and whether multiple easements might accumulate in the future. Counsel and staff said the board would retain the power to deny any future easements and that the current easement does not transfer ownership or enable parcel redevelopment by the city.

Vote and next steps: the resolution granting the underground utility easement (file 27) passed 24–0. Staff said the county’s surveyor will establish the easement limits and the city will coordinate any needed restoration work. The county will hold the city to the restoration and access terms spelled out in the easement agreement.","The County Board approved a 50‑foot underground utility easement to allow the City of Eau Claire to bore water/sewer lines under Loews Creek County Park; county counsel said the city will waive any assessments and the surface will be restored after installation.",{"_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},6537879,"Board approves formal creation of Farmland Preservation Plan update steering committee after public objections",6810,368000,7178000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3424224-1f123d83beec5291ce9e0af275552569&start=368&end=7178","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3424224-1f123d83beec5291ce9e0af275552569/thumbnail_368000.jpg","/articles/6537879/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/Board-approves-formal-creation-of-Farmland-Preservation-Plan-update-steering-committee-after-public-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537879-084bbe2ca343220160e7c48f4f33905c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776545635&Signature=W~demr15amYthccAP6WGT82FDghfvh5s7rUQkrzgrGuZNEYv6yPvTTSfRLsEiRZgcY-0rr9f0vZ~VXfuoQyqXR2mf53f1YoWBqru7HpwAsWTKLTek2tERfQlUDZ8xspKbuM4OHS0QdJlSYbUWdUuY34Gj5XrvUeOrGGQUVH6mZ~-0UCJnBgYy2d9NRYFUC2zIOjzZIgAyBkuZWi6lsOhGH9zdj-rJl04T7d2Zfqcy7t6r~FnK81JdkNLEsEiJpnhdqQ01oWRJhIQ1PH0a7m5rI8XyOvGD2NVhsKBIR~uRFDiIZPK~Kn-XUMPEsjqttrt6ChF8m9WdXxpUHkW97JwpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Eau Claire County Board voted unanimously to create a formal Farmland Preservation Plan Update Steering Committee to complete the county’s farmland preservation plan update, after public comment raised procedural concerns about an earlier volunteer group.

At public comment, farmer Steve Stry told the board he had been asked by county staff in February 2023 to join the farmland preservation steering committee and that he was later told corporate counsel and planning staff had declared that committee “invalid and our work null and void.” In his remarks he quoted an internal exchange, saying when he asked why the committee was deemed invalid, “he said, and I quote, county staff has no authority.” Stry asked the board to reinstate the original members.

Resident Desi Johnson told the board she had retained an attorney after staff reclassified the committee from a steering committee to a work group when the group discussed provisions disallowing wind and solar. Johnson said the county’s Title 19 requires a steering committee and that corporate counsel’s guidance about appointment processes was applied incorrectly; she asked the board to deny the planning department resolution that would have required reapplication under a different process.

Planning and Development staff and counsel explained the legal concerns. Director Rod Eslinger said staff reached out to subject‑matter experts starting in December 2023 and that staff had treated the body as an advisory/steering group; after counsel review staff were advised the committee needed formal recognition by the county board to avoid future challenges. Planning staff said they plan to contact prior volunteers and invite them to apply through the standard appointment process.

Board action: the planning and development committee recommended (5–0) that the board create the steering committee without pre‑naming members and the board approved the resolution 24–0. Supervisor Zook said the committee’s work is near consensus and that formal appointment would allow the plan process to continue toward public hearings and final adoption in the fall.

Clarifying notes: committee members and staff confirmed the appointment process will follow the county code (advertising and application requirements) and that nominations or reappointment of prior volunteers will follow the same application and appointment steps; final appointments will be ratified by the full board when submitted.","After public commenters said a standing steering committee convened in 2023 was improperly downgraded by staff, the County Board voted unanimously to create a formal Farmland Preservation Plan Update Steering Committee and require applicants to follow the standard appointment process.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":46,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537885,"County contingency transfer to keep Sojourner House open fails by one vote",1397,5400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3424224-1f123d83beec5291ce9e0af275552569&start=5400&end=6797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3424224-1f123d83beec5291ce9e0af275552569/thumbnail_5400000.jpg","/articles/6537885/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/County-contingency-transfer-to-keep-Sojourner-House-open-fails-by-one-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537885-c78bbea2f8b273b914390c4ad4377b13/orig.mp4?Expires=1776545635&Signature=nEiOIAn7MbWOv5D2WzAfOQRVbIqzAmD3SMU4xMey6IwY-SWQKeVlbcxw8~Q71JNkMfGa4YNSwme4Lgm~Jc-LkXMw7wkGqrrUqABvgzLgJkKMXZg3cMtyQB1Rw2G7PFfv2qgQF4VTbGsbK9x2l7yP42x87ujdJOsC8LmRG-BY71sq6nbQ-lsHGn~rQXWRIGjdb4n6HQZmk-hD7C-2MHWA3dUbMDcVVIR5i0Q5UNOWJCwIxuOnr9yXzXWAHwC-gQ4533SGYUJvVJOteAowI~Vlfs~m7qcXCcprEE4USVMWV-lEnu~rXS079orHkwoxyLh4ICOuDisWvoDHFqI6JD06yA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors rejected a proposal to transfer $30,000 from the 2025 contingency fund to Catholic Charities to help keep Sojourner House, the county’s emergency shelter, open through the summer and beyond.

The motion, made by Supervisor Jenkins and seconded by Supervisor Schrocknagle, required a two‑thirds majority and failed after a voice/roll call vote produced 19 in favor and 5 opposed. The administration committee and the budget and finance committee had previously reviewed the request; committee members said the $30,000 was part of a broader fundraising package that included proposed contributions from Catholic Charities, the Eau Claire Community Foundation, the City of Eau Claire and the City of Altoona.

What was proposed: the draft memorandum of understanding discussed by committees required other partners to secure nearly $300,000 before the county would release funds; committee members also increased an administrative‑cost cap in the draft MOU from 5 percent to 15 percent during committee review.

Arguments for funding: proponents said the shelter plays a safety‑net role and closing it would shift costs to other county services, including human services and law enforcement. Supervisor Schneider said he was “reluctantly” supporting the request because closing the shelter would worsen outcomes and likely raise county costs elsewhere. Supporters noted Catholic Charities and the Community Foundation intended to contribute the bulk of the funding and that the county’s requested contribution was comparatively small.

Arguments against funding: opponents objected to using county funds for a faith‑based provider, to perceived insufficient documentation of how previously‑committed county funds had been spent, and to the county’s broader budget pressures — several supervisors cited multi‑million‑dollar overages in past human services budgets. Supervisor Myron explicitly blamed the City of Eau Claire for contributing to the local homelessness problem and said the city should do more; Supervisor Skinner questioned whether shelter users accepted help.

Board action: the motion to transfer $30,000 failed on a vote of 19 yes and 5 no (the two‑thirds threshold was 20). The motion to postpone the request to the next board meeting was also brought and failed (the postponement vote fell 18 no to 6 yes). Committee materials recorded existing county budget support already included in the adopted 2025 budget ($34,500) and indicated the county had previously allocated funds to Sojourner House earlier this year.

Next steps: supporters and administration said they will continue coordinating with partner funders and that the shelter and Catholic Charities will update the county on fundraising progress. Because the county contribution failed, any additional county support would need a new motion or a future board vote.","A proposal to transfer $30,000 from the county contingency fund to Catholic Charities to help keep Sojourner House open failed 19–5 after extended debate over urgency, religious affiliation and budget priorities.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537891,"Eau Claire County Human Services reports reduced child long‑term support waitlist, flags rising placement costs",874,595000,1469000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3424224-1f123d83beec5291ce9e0af275552569&start=595&end=1469","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3424224-1f123d83beec5291ce9e0af275552569/thumbnail_595000.jpg","/articles/6537891/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/Eau-Claire-County-Human-Services-reports-reduced-child-longterm-support-waitlist-flags-rising-placement-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537891-a547c0315b824d9d4bfbdc983f8bb461/orig.mp4?Expires=1776545635&Signature=FhyEksgYn5WwW0gVADjMQ-shW7U433o8VSquBR-MIZXTFqw403CemfIQRaS9UAHNvfjKo0UWylzCzvRmjZ~ZuOF3i8VW6hx1i7OW1WD7LDneqVz9-cMqlG5zKihK5nqN8HWR~KlrOJ0PfvBgMn2KIcyRNL0S0mXtTGBZRfDKzQFZ-JI7RibbH1sb1qPErXUBfWHkNChQCxFKQVJVhSKBHe0Twx9Oi7imr9f8rBcLaGIuWaO9r~LsFGKXY-6G9N6eGqS0dHKW7dbKJFFvRp1u6EjhqxUJVAHlD3KHWAQAGPFsmABr5DDZdcs7Oc-bY3-0Bgt8IXBNkq0GkkPZeGHbiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director Angie Weideman presented the Department of Human Services' 2024 annual report to the Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors, saying the department had eliminated the Children's Long‑Term Support (CLTS) waiting list and improved several placement metrics while confronting sharply rising placement costs.

Weideman told the board the department reduced the CLTS waiting list by 86 percent after the board approved 12 positions, and “we did completely eliminate that list, and took it down to 0,” allowing more children to remain with families rather than enter costly out‑of‑home placements. She described investments in data dashboards, a first department strategic plan, and ongoing work with UW‑Extension to set program objectives and metrics. “Our mission is we care, we act, and we empower,” Weideman said as she opened the overview.

Why it matters: board members pressed staff on sharply higher per‑day placement rates that drove up overall placement spending even as the number of placements fell. Weideman said that average daily rates at residential care facilities (RCCs), group homes and Institutes for Mental Disease (IMDs) have increased substantially since 2020 — for example, IMD average daily rates rose from about $6.01 in 2020 to $11.24 in 2024 — and total IMD expenses increased from about $1.77 million in 2020 to roughly $2.3 million in 2024.

Supervisors used the presentation to quiz staff on caseloads, outpatient capacity, and the effects of recent hospital closures. Supervisor Folstead asked about caseload benchmarks for CLTS workers; Weideman said the department monitors caseloads monthly and that the target the department set internally is 33 cases per worker, compared with the range of 25–65 cited by a state presenter, with a healthy caseload “closer to 30.”

Board members also pressed Weideman on the closure of local HSHS beds and the effect on youth placements. Weideman said youth placements were most affected: children are being placed further away (often at Winnebago), increasing transportation costs and family disruption. Supervisor Dunning asked whether state capital investments could reduce out‑of‑county placements; Weideman said county staff and regional directors have lobbied state officials but she was not confident a local IMD would be built soon.

On outpatient capacity, Weideman said a number of local outpatient clinics (for example, NorthLakes Clinic) hired therapists formerly at Prevea and are accepting outpatient clients, but psychiatry capacity remains limited. That gap, she said, contributes to some IMD placements because patients need medication management that is not available in the community.

Other program highlights: Weideman highlighted the System of Care partnerships with Eau Claire and Altoona school districts that place social workers in schools to intervene earlier in truancy and behavioral issues; a recognition for department staff (Hannah Nash) from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin; and the department’s new “friend of human services” award (Feed My People Food Bank was this year’s honoree).

What the board asked staff to do: supervisors requested follow‑up memos on specific procurement and expenditure questions raised during the meeting (see clarifying details). Several supervisors asked for more frequent, easily scannable scorecards on performance metrics and enforcement of mandated service funding.

Ending: Weideman and the board agreed to continue monitoring caseloads, placement costs, and local capacity for psychiatry and IMD alternatives. The department said it will provide requested budget and procurement clarifications to the board in writing.","Director Angie Weideman told the County Board the Department of Human Services cut the children's long‑term support waiting list to zero but faces sharply higher daily rates for institutional placements and rising adult placement costs tied to staffing shortages.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key Eau Claire County Board actions on May 20, 2025

Board approves city utility easement through Loews Creek County Park, county counsel says fees waived

Board approves formal creation of Farmland Preservation Plan update steering committee after public objections

County contingency transfer to keep Sojourner House open fails by one vote

Eau Claire County Human Services reports reduced child long‑term support waitlist, flags rising placement costs