[{"_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",6174591,"mediaKeyId","5369736-dd65e59ffb9ae432bd7fea6dbaded882","parentId",5369736,"title","County administrator outlines strategic‑planning outreach, airport work and Veterans Tribute testing","audioSeconds",814,"startMs",1763000,"endMs",2577000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369736-dd65e59ffb9ae432bd7fea6dbaded882&start=1763&end=2577","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369736-dd65e59ffb9ae432bd7fea6dbaded882/thumbnail_1763000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6174591/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/County-administrator-outlines-strategicplanning-outreach-airport-work-and-Veterans-Tribute-testing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174591-2d19a88b4da75e4e9a0ca133060186e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137877&Signature=KkTC0Eyz982K9YLQtup3uu8fQL5P8bEvgYz6BU1O9i5EnEJgFpIIoUI3HlMiS8SvZaTYSxYxbO7CJkfSLeQKDLhYcXCOW5HyViCMlP0CMiBRKD6U~0PMyg2K3dgGhtiS-rPG5gGIQgXFp834zxXgNWUmiJMJ-q2Z0fC6Hpj1UQcwwGIuUI2Tgps~d-DJg9b6q-T4J8bodCLMQNKo7haJRuNCnP3AdVlygx~uA9jepuo5sB3OFFBEN~BxNHYB9TKBbepGoahtDNgyvPjSAjr58ef0XjDyFDMc~ALwtB2c0sikdBK~79TYwZfiyT75cBLvEFoXhUeA8kLUHqX0F2MV~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sawyer County, WI","date","2025-07-11T23:48:39Z","article","Sawyer County’s administrator reported progress on several ongoing initiatives, including a proposed community‑wide strategic‑planning effort, scheduled airport runway grooving, and environmental testing for the planned Veterans Tribute memorial.

The administrator said he has met with a consultant to expand public input beyond previous efforts and plans a two‑phase approach: a prescripted open session followed by small‑group breakout work to distill priorities into two to three near‑term goals and a longer‑term list. He told the administrative committee he will return next month with a structure and timeline and aims to begin outreach in September.

On airport work, the administrator said the runway reconstruction is complete and “grooving” and painting will start Saturday and could take up to a week; grooving is planned at night. On the Veterans Tribute, he said he is working with SEH of Eau Claire to complete required environmental testing and is reviewing service contracts for 2026 funding with intent to include stronger contract terms.

The administrator also provided a brief update on a communications‑tower project (WOJB): he said a previous tribal governing board approved the project and he had spoken to a contact who did not expect the new governing board to rescind that approval; he said he would seek written confirmation. He said he has reached out to the vendor overseeing emergency communications expansion (Gencomm) for a status update on the tower project.

Committee members asked for more detail about outreach methods and emphasized the need to keep the process focused and manageable. The administrator said he would return with a specific plan for breaking public input into targeted stakeholder sessions and for consolidating priorities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Administration 2025 07 10","oneSentenceSummary","The county administrator outlined plans for a renewed strategic‑planning process involving targeted community input, reported airport runway grooving this weekend, and said environmental testing for the Veterans Tribute is under contract with SEH of Eau Claire.","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},6174596,"Committee reappoints Mike Stamps to Sawyer County Housing Authority",60,1698000,1758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369736-dd65e59ffb9ae432bd7fea6dbaded882&start=1698&end=1758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369736-dd65e59ffb9ae432bd7fea6dbaded882/thumbnail_1698000.jpg","/articles/6174596/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Committee-reappoints-Mike-Stamps-to-Sawyer-County-Housing-Authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174596-1561586b687c8f709b562b24e8bdcfee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137877&Signature=jRURh~1SUGTTUKYHx6V6iQK4t6RnLJudenYAvga1gtPUpLcymIeeh6CSIab2Z-kZupidKluSYpgACxcl~9gIuX6AUer2wVFLWIUTbpHqE3foOfPM6gcb4BcHtV08E2tpVoqFGlQHFeaABFV2A6xZwyEBkXLEuEZHJK7Jnq3H-eV1d9zalcLyg6zBAg2Icrnl4Ne15GzyMBAud54sPVPYoWg6SK-w4DvUdc8zIzxu8iMt7Hja84tiQHNOUQQTEYiQrnV6rtA5DxfvCVhg0ivsQyB~92hKb81862DRSonNEPtCKM6-XDsyQ27UQSue6bQqCYdU5qzM-Jju0hu8HBSmVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sawyer County administrative committee approved the five‑year reappointment of Mike Stamps to the Sawyer County Housing Authority through July 19, 2030.

A committee member noted Stamps previously represented Shell Lake State Bank and now represents Franzen Bank. The committee took a motion to approve the reappointment; the motion carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Committee members noted the board does not control the housing authority’s operations but is required by statute to approve appointments. No additional conditions were attached to the reappointment.","The administrative committee approved a five‑year reappointment of Mike Stamps to the Sawyer County Housing Authority; the appointment is statutory and requires county approval.",{"_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},6174601,"Sawyer County veterans office: perpetual‑care reimbursement set at $4 per grave; claims produced $239,457 in retro payments last month",182,1235000,1417000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369736-dd65e59ffb9ae432bd7fea6dbaded882&start=1235&end=1417","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369736-dd65e59ffb9ae432bd7fea6dbaded882/thumbnail_1235000.jpg","/articles/6174601/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Sawyer-County-veterans-office-perpetualcare-reimbursement-set-at-4-per-grave-claims-produced-239457-in-retro-payments-last-month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174601-412c178babfeb0c84f76a10ae2de55f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137877&Signature=DKzeDMrKSuoty~cSEKQO35ptTUUsvtQdNpGuYR1WVqjPLzdJ3Nei0w6TJ1EjqiOaqZJlLnWVBQ71pXW37IF1ySaclLf69WSup~OjGaR1JEkenVpmX0NIUJVkEHKntWygnhSQzlX67G5oURsEGoR3VgeJ98ibAGud~uLylmw9s1vwk2xelftStt-wuqdhyPs2MqKvCnxJQYkWUPn9ROAze~mq2aV0w6Gf7pmJU2W4oBlXz6r04hGiDOzspfB6ExvUwgAHul2fLNU3e2FyTsQ~th2bbVx-DhI6t8V7EnHEPrvTg1HwcXR2sO25kUAim4UwwI~cj4hPoNkJ1ilJeUkcQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sawyer County veterans service office reported it filed 88 disability‑compensation claims last month that produced $239,457.47 in retroactive payments to veterans, and reminded clerks that the county’s perennial $4 per grave reimbursement window for perpetual care opened July 1.

The veterans service officer said the office handled 479 phone calls, 789 letters/emails/faxes and 251 office visits in June. As a comparison to 2024, calls were slightly down while letters and visits were up. The office also co‑hosted counseling sessions with the La Crosse Vet Center.

The clerk and veterans officer explained the perpetual‑care reimbursement process: county staff mail notices to towns and cemeteries; eligible cemetery organizations or towns may apply for $4 per veteran interred in their cemetery between July 1 and the January close of the application window. The veterans office budgets about $7,000 annually for that program and said it would consider asking the board for an increase if applications exceed the budget.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the $4 rate and reimbursement mechanics. The veterans officer said some towns and cemeteries routinely apply, and the county distributes reimbursements through the clerk’s office.

No formal action was taken; the veterans office is monitoring claims and the perpetual‑care budget and will return with any request for a budget increase if needed.","The veterans service office reported retroactive benefit payments, outreach activity, and reminded town clerks about the county’s $4‑per‑grave perpetual‑care reimbursement window that opens July 1.",{"_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},6174606,"Clerk: 13 of 21 towns use QR‑based ICX machines; vendor to swap tabulators as decertification looms",119,401000,520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369736-dd65e59ffb9ae432bd7fea6dbaded882&start=401&end=520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369736-dd65e59ffb9ae432bd7fea6dbaded882/thumbnail_401000.jpg","/articles/6174606/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Clerk-13-of-21-towns-use-QRbased-ICX-machines-vendor-to-swap-tabulators-as-decertification-looms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174606-32692d2f7fbc807fc4e607aefd9353d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137877&Signature=V2eECDFdpiaj1mBw3qiEfkAzxDb4r8xpzEn66LMaj1VdRXQoCkI5TDNPfB6lIALaYHzTzQm~6I50TDSMzodpqfDGdVDxto5a1iNgzLY-ijQqCuoXG5I3zKvUmi91wS~noZJStcRZ1EsITiecSxH-Y8bx9iqp7-tGKsi8A4OTwZ7Y4jsmCB2qdSduma5kMrJEAE6skhcXc6fywOGbsKON1xW24deZ~rRYxm4sNZc3lDTTyGnxEAbO2ukc1wJiMD5iqM6mMmfrwASfZNUSlt3cTDNjlFGBbKsDxdzkShp5RVSLflY~UF9dJVBahrfofzT8jnW5CquC5vMc1hKaXm2qyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sawyer County clerk told the administrative committee that 13 of 21 towns use ICX touch‑screen voting machines that rely on QR codes, and said the Wisconsin Elections Commission may decertify that model in the next year or two.

The clerk said Command Central, the company that sold the county’s ICX machines, has offered a one‑time free swap to a paper‑ballot tabulator; the clerk described the tabulator’s retail value as about $9,000 compared with $3,900 for the ICX. The swap would require participation by all towns that currently use the ICX machines, the clerk said.

The clerk described options for very small towns: they could still hand‑count paper ballots instead of using a tabulator. The committee did not take formal action; members discussed the operational implications and the need to coordinate with towns so all can accept a replacement tabulator if the swap proceeds.

The clerk also said the Wisconsin County Clerks Association is opposing a legislative proposal that would require town clerks to keep municipal offices open for 20 hours during the early‑voting/absentee period; the clerk warned such a requirement would be difficult where town clerks are part‑time.

No vote was taken; the clerk said she has been working with the vendor on the swap and emphasized the need to inform towns about the change and reach agreement for replacement equipment.","The county clerk told the committee that Wisconsin Election Commission action could require decertifying QR‑based ICX voting machines; the county’s vendor has offered to swap them for paper‑ballot tabulators at little cost if all towns agree.",{"_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},6174611,"Sawyer County officials weigh ending $9,000 records-management subscription",507,591000,1098000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369736-dd65e59ffb9ae432bd7fea6dbaded882&start=591&end=1098","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369736-dd65e59ffb9ae432bd7fea6dbaded882/thumbnail_591000.jpg","/articles/6174611/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Sawyer-County-officials-weigh-ending-9000-records-management-subscription","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174611-cf4686c9fd8bcc2ac881621e3e93404c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137877&Signature=gzfeaKwvexmIYWfOUl4xJkiawK01XuCmRVLazS1xWOQt3Fl2TpZLNylCTd7umm8PDswb~8sKdMJxIrXWjEWOaAQ6P6LYfvlJsEX3daVcd3usw4Cx51BO4J5HRith1INvxeSFU0LQy4F7VFKV-m5RxAjq3v-FWRjxltcvUHpB8ek2lDV5lrj6TCZbpNGIkDFI2~1wj0ehskuuZ5NcEF0A6yRyZrKUiIOD~Uar0yWFO7187JlOaqqHR7gE~B1RguSoT7s1fO2ctepI4hjbaqApN0FpztZrI-Dwqv7DNn42ICIU8Oj9QbhnWBGb6PdnlLgLScAEw7nSecHYtB06Iealow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sawyer County’s administrative committee discussed whether to renew a $9,000 annual subscription for NextRequest, a public‑records tracking system, and agreed to continue routing requests through the county clerk while exploring manual tracking to save money.

The county clerk told the committee the software “is not the greatest program” after roughly one year of use and said departments are not consistently entering actual staff time into the system. The clerk said the sheriff’s department accounted for 273 entries in the year reviewed, while the clerk’s office had about 50 and Health and Human Services about 30.

The clerk said the vendor now proposes an online payment portal that would increase the cost by another roughly $3,000 plus setup fees; total annual costs could approach $9,000. “It’s a pretty big upgrade that they’re gonna do for free just for the cost of delivering it here,” the clerk said about a different machine swap discussed elsewhere, and contrasted that with NextRequest’s cost and limited usefulness for Sawyer County’s workflow.

Committee members and staff discussed alternatives. One committee member said the original goal of tracking records time was to identify a few high‑volume requesters who were imposing heavy demands. The clerk and staff said the software’s workflow added overhead and that many staff handle small requests quickly and would not use the tool for brief inquiries.

The committee directed the clerk to continue handling public‑records requests and to convene a department‑head meeting so departments can adopt a simple manual folder method to record requests locally if they wish. The clerk said eliminating the current subscription would save the county about $9,000 a year while keeping the clerk as the central point of contact for requests that currently pass through her office.

The discussion distinguished tracking formal, logged electronic requests (which NextRequest captures) from informal contacts by phone or email that the software does not capture unless staff specifically journal them. Committee members noted that if the county wants to track informal contacts reliably it would require assigning the work to staff and create additional overhead.

No formal motion to cancel the subscription was made; the committee’s direction was to proceed at the clerk’s discretion and to hold a department‑head meeting to establish a simple manual tracking process and reporting practice.","County clerk reported the NextRequest public-records tracking system has not delivered expected benefits; officials agreed to let the clerk manage requests manually and hold a department‑head meeting to implement a low‑cost tracking method.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County administrator outlines strategic‑planning outreach, airport work and Veterans Tribute testing

Committee reappoints Mike Stamps to Sawyer County Housing Authority

Sawyer County veterans office: perpetual‑care reimbursement set at $4 per grave; claims produced $239,457 in retro payments last month

Clerk: 13 of 21 towns use QR‑based ICX machines; vendor to swap tabulators as decertification looms

Sawyer County officials weigh ending $9,000 records-management subscription