[{"_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",6164691,"mediaKeyId","5427817-c13b10f1123823940c25dd463fdc90c3","parentId",5427817,"title","Dunn County buys robotic total station as property recording and surveying activity rises","audioSeconds",167,"startMs",642000,"endMs",809000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5427817-c13b10f1123823940c25dd463fdc90c3&start=642&end=809","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5427817-c13b10f1123823940c25dd463fdc90c3/thumbnail_642000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164691/Dunn-County/Wisconsin/Dunn-County-buys-robotic-total-station-as-property-recording-and-surveying-activity-rises","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164691-e47a09034331d1d3125928b56932daea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770988185&Signature=Sm-8t5jQt7AvNO7JQVbGbkT5OOLj5ASOoxQTFztNGTudLlGH3dJXnOtEWhXkPSEXV57NMEWEKdp6pNcoaUjuXMtor8SZEVeWVJE25Iriv9UP3TKJgkaUK9JWlV9l1oJ~XC7bTKJCxioBNNC~I-VaTWRz2snFDPhRVMhm-ZBo~5AhfaWriLAC0d97c3n7A26dHCFrOIJ8u5yLfkq6B8Mk6Z6azfmpD5RHSJvIApj9vuB-HPrfv6ze4Kcovmn7quSS1~DHPxM53c1SW26v-QlIuLzFzgF1aZLfEClH2wM-qrFHjYBiiLGHO6ojhPSZH7yppnrpiByi2BAkFN4tE~ZC0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dunn County, WI","date","2025-07-18T14:58:42Z","article","Dunn County register of deeds and land records staff reported increased real‑estate transactions in June and said the county has purchased a robotic total station to improve field surveying productivity.

Register of Deeds update: The register of deeds reported the office recorded 603 documents in June, up from 332 in January, and logged 174 ownership transfers for the month. The office also increased staff hours: Laurie Schneider’s position went from 30 hours to full‑time on June 2. The register said the office switched credit‑card vendors from AllPaid to VPS to lower per‑transaction service fees (from $3.99 to $0.95) and that the change has caused some complications as the office completes the transition.

Land records and surveying: A county surveying staffer reported nine certified survey maps submitted for June, including five new parcels created in the town of Elk Mound totaling about 53 acres. The county said it worked on 24 public land survey system corners and attended ERP and priority‑based budgeting meetings.

Equipment purchase: The survey office purchased a robotic total station for roughly $19,000. The presenter said the instrument automates the role of a second crew member (the “instrument person”), allowing one operator to control angles and distance measurements from a handheld interface and, in their vendor’s specification, operate remotely up to about 1,600 feet. The office told the committee the device is intended to improve efficiency and match current staffing levels rather than immediately reduce headcount.

Context and staff changes: Staff reported onboarding two new employees in June in land use and zoning functions: an enforcement officer/planner (Max Richards) and a zoning specialist (Tyler Ming). The county’s planning office also noted activity on accessory dwelling unit (ADU) inquiries and conditional use permits, and that rezoning questions (including a 300+‑acre annexation/rezone in Red Cedar mentioned by a supervisor) typically occur between landowners and municipalities and may not involve county action.

Ending: Committee members asked about equipment range, costs and how the robotic instrument would be used in the field; staff answered questions about vendor specifications and use‑cases and said they would monitor outcomes as the office integrates the new tool.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dunn County Planning, Resources & Development Committee Meeting - 07/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Register of deeds and land records staff reported higher real estate recordings and said the county purchased a robotic total station (about $19,000) to boost surveying efficiency as certified survey map activity increased.","taxTitle","Dunn County, Wisconsin","taxId",53943,"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},6164696,"Dunn County proposes tying 2026 raises to quarterly performance check‑ins, drops step system",4275,3305000,7580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5427817-c13b10f1123823940c25dd463fdc90c3&start=3305&end=7580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5427817-c13b10f1123823940c25dd463fdc90c3/thumbnail_3305000.jpg","/articles/6164696/Dunn-County/Wisconsin/Dunn-County-proposes-tying-2026-raises-to-quarterly-performance-checkins-drops-step-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164696-f6a723e66f15612197681d0f0aca628b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770988185&Signature=LBv94vhUk3PchZvWpBfl0436P~vkSZuQUaoB3-Myjqro6d09UBoeGmI2APhcALbx5WNoJRbx4ScA42hKbekjv-UMCqzjRfYEaxJ2GFLPzBAxNEWhsWNpnx1j1~lmxFT5Ma-VJMBRwTM8VSbhunkJ2EHyH1NbjQ0vzsHXVK-7XyNykiuqLJDJx-DslSv77kMQddAkjvK-c9V2pCGjCh3IgqQhTeM7vQWyJCTrJoLd88AD1UDRaiMGZkBv7kM0qeLDv0GwTfXjstmlgoQpDYpH71NYTnO1momiVMSgW-iKVecf-0zRtuCyJACYniY4n3ZY0U13ScT4-jJGlVBkTmxxXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dunn County human resources staff outlined the 2026 wage proposal at the Planning, Resource and Development Committee meeting on July 16, presenting a shift from the traditional step system to performance‑based pay adjustments tied to quarterly manager check‑ins.

Talent Development Manager Sarah Stansberry told the committee the county plans to replace the internal step increments (11 steps per grade) with a grades‑only pay grid and use documented quarterly check‑ins to determine annual increases. The proposal would set a baseline pay adjustment for employees who “meet expectations” and a larger adjustment for those who “exceed expectations.” Employees rated “needs improvement” would not receive a raise and would not receive cost‑of‑living adjustments under the 2026 recommendation.

Why it matters: The county reported that historically only about 20% of employees received formal annual evaluations. HR said the change aims to increase consistent feedback, tie pay to documented performance, and give the county flexibility in annual budget planning rather than the rigid step or no‑step choice currently embedded in the personnel ordinance.

Key elements of the proposal: Sarah Stansberry said the recommended 2026 increases are illustrative and could be adjusted when the county finalizes budget numbers. For 2026 the staff recommended:
- Employees with “meets expectations” would receive a 2.75% pay adjustment (presented as roughly 2.25% market/cost‑of‑living plus a 0.5% performance component).
- Employees with “exceeds expectations” would receive a 3.25% adjustment (an additional 0.5% above the meet level).
- Employees with “needs improvement” would not receive an increase; cost‑of‑living adjustments would not be applied to that rating in 2026 under the current proposal.

Staff also proposed that employees already at the top of a pay grade who exceed expectations would receive the additional percentage in the form of a taxable lump‑sum payment so base pay does not exceed the pay grade maximum.

Performance system and safeguards: The HR team described a simplified, quarterly check‑in using the NeoGov software. Managers document a short narrative and a three‑tier rating (exceeds, meets, needs improvement). The county will continue manager training, audit a sample of check‑ins for consistency and provide employees an opportunity to review and append commentary to their performance record. Sarah Stansberry said managers received training in May and the check‑in system launched July 1.

Budget context and timing: County staff said a full 4.75% across‑the‑board increase (previous step + COLA practice) would cost roughly $2 million in salary and fringe annually and that a 4.75% raise is at the high end of the local market. The personnel ordinance changes and the draft pay plan will go to the Committee on Administration next week for a recommendation and are scheduled for a first reading at the July county board meeting and a potential adoption in September.

Concerns raised in the meeting: Supervisors and attendees asked how managers would handle multiple direct reports, new managers evaluating inherited staff, the audit process for consistency between departments, whether employees can append rebuttal statements, and how managers will be trained to have difficult conversations. HR staff acknowledged the added workload for managers and said training, peer networks and auditing would be used to reduce inconsistency.

Next steps: The committee received the presentation; staff will take the ordinance and pay plan changes to the Committee on Administration and the full county board for consideration. If adopted, HR plans department‑level rollout, individual compensation statements after the October check‑ins and employee follow‑up sessions in January.
","County HR proposed replacing step increases with a performance‑based pay plan for 2026: a baseline increase for meeting expectations and a larger increase for exceeding expectations, while employees rated 'needs improvement' would not receive increases.",{"_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},6164700,"Dunn County staff present DNR-vetted septage fact sheet as groundwater concerns resurface",1940,510000,2450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5427817-c13b10f1123823940c25dd463fdc90c3&start=510&end=2450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5427817-c13b10f1123823940c25dd463fdc90c3/thumbnail_510000.jpg","/articles/6164700/Dunn-County/Wisconsin/Dunn-County-staff-present-DNR-vetted-septage-fact-sheet-as-groundwater-concerns-resurface","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164700-b94ce0f47d76e1b7644d52c5519f8d50/orig.mp4?Expires=1770988185&Signature=I7w7v8Q0yON6jH5IETLVF4WJycUBfm5kNUOXc7YOLqIA62qbev8QUxDbqtJfAz2HdKXoCiEOQelBnoC4azRSawYtFcafD6GNOxGdyVNP0XJmL8MUADE9r7uRVroqTVZa1Z459s2tLSDL-aMb73qhL0JiTBTtgw1hhp-u5k4bsRrR4l3QfnIIN0cPSoI~wr~ZvTJFowVUNTkly7Sg55GOu70aY20EsLeeOj30P1VR8bh7gmvQx-vL0cK0ArkOmhttwBGYxGApyZKWCC41kdWDfV0GyyugSjC2ksnae5USiFYp9jsbWj60xMr7HvOUKQOniHmGbd89qwYGMpHy4vb-hA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment and staff discussion at the July 16 Dunn County Planning, Resource and Development Committee meeting focused on land application of human septage, the regulatory limits local governments face and the county’s groundwater monitoring work.

Committee chair and staff opened the item after a public commenter raised groundwater contamination concerns and cited a state report showing high county groundwater use. The county then presented a two‑page fact sheet about septage land application that staff said they had reviewed with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the county’s Healthy Environment Action Team.

Why it matters: County staff said the fact sheet seeks to clarify how sites are approved and what local authorities can — and cannot — require. The topic has been raised repeatedly in public comment and connects to ongoing county efforts including nutrient management planning, private well monitoring and producer‑led watershed projects.

What staff told the committee: Heather Woods, Land and Water office staff, said the county has about 130 DNR‑approved land application sites and that in 2024 only 19 sites were actually used. Woods said some summary numbers in the fact sheet came directly from the DNR staff who approve sites and that a larger dataset of roughly 5,700 septic or holding sites in the county is maintained by state records. She described how NR 113, NR 114 and Chapter 281 of state administrative code govern site approvals and that NR 151 (the agricultural prohibitions and standards) does not treat human septage differently than other nutrient sources under the county’s nutrient management standard 590.

Chase, a county conservation staff member, told the committee the county is tracking nutrient management plan submissions and private well monitoring results alongside septage questions. He said large cost‑share grants continue to be worked through; one notice‑of‑discharge grant discussed in staff reports would cover roughly 70% of project costs (about $880,000 total in the example discussed), leaving the landowner responsible for about 30%.

Public engagement and data: County staff said they invited DNR approval staff to a prior meeting and shared draft materials with local advocates including Neil Cook, a county resident who has raised concerns publicly. The fact sheet was described as a plain‑language summary, not a new local rule; staff said state law prevents counties from imposing restrictions that are more restrictive than state regulations for land application of septage.

Monitoring and nutrient management: Staff emphasized that nutrient management plans and annual checklists are required for farmland and that soil testing is expected every four years; county records show about 65,000–68,000 acres worth of nutrient management documentation are submitted to the office each year. Staff cautioned that national soil datasets used for map displays have limited scale and that percolation rates on a map are not a substitute for site‑specific field testing used by the DNR when approving a land application site.

Next steps and committee direction: Staff indicated the fact sheet has been vetted with the DNR and the county’s Healthy Environment Action Team and is intended to be publicly posted. Committee members and staff noted that if the community wants restrictions beyond state rules, change would require legislative action at the state level. Committee members invited public comment and said staff should continue coordinating with the DNR and keep the committee informed about monitoring results and any legislative developments.

Ending: The committee did not adopt new local rules during the meeting; staff called the fact sheet a written summary to help the public understand current rules and the county’s oversight role and said they would continue to collect data and report back if more action were requested.
","County staff reviewed DNR rules and local monitoring ahead of a proposed public information effort on land application of human septage after residents raised groundwater and nitrate concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dunn County buys robotic total station as property recording and surveying activity rises

Dunn County proposes tying 2026 raises to quarterly performance check‑ins, drops step system

Dunn County staff present DNR-vetted septage fact sheet as groundwater concerns resurface