[{"_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",6492945,"mediaKeyId","5785651-ed0f2b793470644159fd316ec7da2ae7","parentId",5785651,"title","Votes at a glance: Richland County Board actions on Sept. 16 — rezoning, appointments, Pine Valley, contracts, grants and staffing changes","audioSeconds",6758,"startMs",1110000,"endMs",7868000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785651-ed0f2b793470644159fd316ec7da2ae7&start=1110&end=7868","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785651-ed0f2b793470644159fd316ec7da2ae7/thumbnail_1110000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6492945/Richland-County/Wisconsin/Votes-at-a-glance-Richland-County-Board-actions-on-Sept-16-rezoning-appointments-Pine-Valley-contracts-grants-and-staffing-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6492945-698760c3a5e2340374fbba2666747469/orig.mp4?Expires=1774890861&Signature=e7nPmmZpqgXnOCzKuNxr-djX6O~lUMfw5d48oM4BY0Y6FtNFtycs-jDfuyXQc~zw90bsDmsQuLpdL6whKcYHFEWydAJzQMfDu4smvhypbCXIa8rKDENmqCBzTmk0Q6jpAZ0Oag89B7cilWfP407~r-t2vPdpnAG5cWlkt78lleO2D1Ijx8Halh~rKzSFhiJyiuwIGEjEjKDdHwEoyRI~dYs5ULnADt435NqMDkpj9Pej1KxSscano5pp9O8HHtraHnGGwQED0vKC4YoLukrmYtf4D63xmFAdwKH3WdIRNxF9MnFHROyFr9M0EuNRAH-6xp6j4X-t622CGIVkTSoaQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richland County, WI","date","2025-09-18T04:45:57.36Z","article","The Richland County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16 considered and approved a series of ordinances and resolutions. Below is a concise summary of each formal action taken, the motion outcome and key details drawn from the meeting record.

Votes at a glance

- Rezoning (Parcel 012-2044-3000) — Ordinance No. 2521 (amendment 629 to chapter 119): Rezone a two-acre parcel from industrial to residential. Motion to adopt passed by voice vote; no petitions were reported against the change.

- Committee on Committees election (item 9): Secret ballot produced a winner recorded in the minutes as \"Supervisor Berries\" (transcript text). The board then proceeded to appointment votes at-large.

- Appointments to boards/committees (item 10): The board approved a slate of committee appointments submitted by the administrator and committee on committees. An amendment was offered to replace Randy Scoot with Elaine Hendrix as Pine Valley representative; the amendment passed (vote recorded as 8 yes, 7 no) and the amended list was adopted.

- Initial resolution to issue general obligation promissory notes up to $1,085,000 (item 15, Res. 25-68): Adopted; staff will solicit bids and return an award resolution for Oct. 20, 2025.

- Municipal advisor agreement (item 16, Res. 25-69): Approved; Wisconsin Public Finance Professionals LLC will advise on the bond/notes sale.

- Engagement of bond counsel (item 17, Res. 25-70): Approved; scope of engagement with Corals & Brady adopted.

- Radio tower change order (item 18, Res. 25-71): Change Order No. 2 for $251,701 approved to address site changes requiring a retaining wall and related work; staff to provide detailed cost breakout for retaining-wall line item.

- Ambulance services (item 19, Res. 25-72): Board repealed the 2014 resolution governing ambulance oversight, moved from a memorandum to a contract approach, set $2.25 per dispatch with a $2,500 minimum municipal payment and amended language to apply when an ambulance is dispatched; directed staff to draft a contract and circulate to municipalities for acceptance by Nov. 1.

- SIMON intergovernmental agreement (item 20, Res. 25-73): Approved updated intergovernmental agreement with an explicit 2026 sunset and direction to commence renegotiation discussions no later than July 1, 2026.

- Amendments to Appendix A (committees and boards) (item 21, Res. 25-74): Adopted language cleanup and composition updates for standing and advisory boards; included statutory references and removed a committee no longer funded by the county.

- Holiday policy changes (item 22, Res. 25-75): Adopted changes to harmonize holidays across county staff to 12 holidays, with implementation and subsequent union negotiations noted.

- Provider contract amendments and contracts for Health & Human Services (items 23-24, Res. 25-76 and 25-77): Approved multiple contract amendments for placements and new provider contracts for 2025 to cover unplanned placements and ensure service continuity.

- Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD/TAB) grant (item 25, Res. 25-78): Approved application and acceptance of grant funds totaling $177,333 with a required match of $43,333 (about $36,351 in in-kind) to support treatment court programs.

- Pine Valley personnel and pay resolutions (items 26-27, Res. 25-79 and 25-80): Approved staff addendum changes (effective Sept. 16) aligning time and leave policies with county handbook and approved new private-pay rates for Pine Valley: assisted-living rates +$96 per month and skilled side +$10 per day.

- Sale of sheriff's vehicles (item 28, Res. 25-81): Board amended and approved a resolution directing proceeds from sale of sheriff vehicles to be placed in Fund 170 (new sheriff car fund); amendment clarified proceeds go into Fund 170 when vehicles are sold rather than automatically sold if departments can reuse vehicles.

- Transfer of funds from Fund 980 to Fund 320 (item 29, Res. 25-82): Approved a transfer of $148,556.70 from Fund 980 (proceeds from prior East Hall sale) to Fund 320 (campus fund) to cover campus-related expenses.

- Pregnant Workers Fairness Act policy (item 30, Res. 25-83): Adopted a county policy implementing state law expectations for pregnant workers.

- Designate county clerk as backup county administrator (item 31, Res. 25-84): Approved designation of the county clerk to serve as backup administrator for emergency or short-notice needs; board discussed scope and documentation.

- Plow truck body build bid award (item 32, Res. 25-85): Board accepted a bid from Universal Truck Equipment to build a plow truck body totaling $198,856; public works explained the two-step chassis-plus-build process and timeline for delivery (expected late 2026).

- Closed session and post-closed-session motion (items 34 and 36): Board entered closed session for deliberations on campus property negotiations under state law; on return to open session the board approved continued negotiations with the other party contingent on approval and public disclosure of said negotiations.

Ending: The board approved the slate of resolutions and instructed staff on a series of implementation tasks, including drafting the ambulance contract, providing additional cost detail on the radio-tower change order, preparing bond sale documents and continuing negotiations on campus use under the direction noted in closed session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richland County Board - 2025/09/16","oneSentenceSummary","Richland County supervisors adopted multiple resolutions Sept. 16 covering zoning, appointments, borrowing authority, radio-tower work, ambulance-service contracts, provider agreements, Pine Valley staffing and rates, and various administrative policies and fund transfers.","taxTitle","Richland County, Wisconsin","taxId",72898,"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},6492949,"Board approves $251,701 change order for final radio tower site after retaining wall and site issues increase costs",101,3240000,3341000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785651-ed0f2b793470644159fd316ec7da2ae7&start=3240&end=3341","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785651-ed0f2b793470644159fd316ec7da2ae7/thumbnail_3240000.jpg","/articles/6492949/Richland-County/Wisconsin/Board-approves-251701-change-order-for-final-radio-tower-site-after-retaining-wall-and-site-issues-increase-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6492949-75c52560810b63be3c98781f47cc9034/orig.mp4?Expires=1774890861&Signature=ATSD6q55gSDfT3HOaqZksJsiscEmMV~bTNLKiC3TuOqHCocqw3u7SbwxQPWBCapHPJfgDvNrTgMXcn-d2JwSAMf3OrwVSP~LPaN5nK6yvs2kli2x7jZwkje-3-x29gMhu15NNIWcTSQeP9aAFP-2jElMOn3wKAxUWxn6Y75fI~64xT7c-vEFKhRwsfAWjdtVZtGmyiwbOkbHFnvhHl4N8NfnPnwWQwva8tDpSLBiBx5yS598AuRVfVtla8JNDnOlIQutyq7HkI8rD8xpy1UzaQhMZMQuHkoY-UhnZ16~4anIJxDBJ05qCj12-Ec0u9zqFiPiIxyRAAnSt5uGSeFsHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richland County supervisors approved a $251,701 change order on Sept. 16 to cover additional work at the final radio tower site in the county's tower construction program.

County staff and project consultant Mike Day said the county was unable to reach agreement with the originally selected landowner and pivoted to a different parcel across the road to preserve the site design. The replacement site required additional regulatory review and substantially more earthwork than anticipated. The consultant said the most significant extra cost is an extensive block retaining wall to stabilize ground that fell away from the roadway; the chosen product is large, trucked in on multiple semi-trailer loads, and requires foundations and additional site work.

Day said the change-order line that drew the most questions at an earlier committee meeting is the retaining-wall item (about $192,000), and agreed to provide a more detailed breakout of labor, materials and drainage for that line. He also explained the change increased the contractor's bonding requirement and associated fees.

Board members asked for the cost detail; the project team agreed to supply the requested estimate breakdown to the executive and finance committee. After discussion, the board approved the change order by voice vote.

Ending: Staff will provide a detailed cost breakdown for the retaining-wall line item to the executive and finance committee and proceed with the change order work to keep the tower project on track.","Supervisors approved Change Order No. 2 totaling $251,701 for the county's radio tower project after the project team described additional work at a relocated tower site, including a large retaining wall, foundation work and extra trucking costs for block material.",{"_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},6492955,"Board approves initial resolution for up-to-$1.085M short-term borrowing; municipal advisor and bond counsel engagements also approved",338,2516000,2854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785651-ed0f2b793470644159fd316ec7da2ae7&start=2516&end=2854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785651-ed0f2b793470644159fd316ec7da2ae7/thumbnail_2516000.jpg","/articles/6492955/Richland-County/Wisconsin/Board-approves-initial-resolution-for-up-to-1085M-short-term-borrowing-municipal-advisor-and-bond-counsel-engagements-also-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6492955-bd6a06180579c71a8ef15e6c847c1570/orig.mp4?Expires=1774890861&Signature=fIJVrAEQJNbMC36IT2oAe-A3Os3R-yoGSIiDb9rXUtJO9fz~2r0FDjChz-~lUUDwlAqCBxILvwty2XwArOWXUd6L1ZPfoEc0ztDSgzFb8XZdZxL8~UOUl8z71vwFaXTeU8eVkVUke68jnLj8T6T0bYg4HWEvmAQlfSqjUlwkHUICtraZMisEAlxvD-dGlupl2pLw60rHQMuq6ktiCzrKDVDXjZDBXbgZiZKXleUbwTMthz2TC-D7SgfupQIhLm9BAjHM42ji1tz~2XbcGb7As~zt~Hr0tb8FOiE17clnqeHB0HhhscRT3XhuPUIKNCyFuHMgH4BkF1Nofnx0nKeipg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richland County supervisors adopted an initial resolution on Sept. 16 authorizing the county to borrow up to $1,085,000 through general obligation promissory notes to finance 2026 capital improvement projects. The board also approved contracting with Wisconsin Public Finance Professionals LLC as municipal advisor and with Corals & Brady as bond counsel to assist with the proposed note sale.

Financial advisor Carol (representing Wisconsin Public Finance Professionals LLC) explained the purpose and mechanics of the short-term borrowing: the initial resolution is a statutory first step that sets a \"not to exceed\" amount and the intended use for capital projects. Because the notes are general obligation and short-term, the debt is not subject to levy limits; the notes would be issued and then paid when taxes are collected in early 2026. The county plans an award date and final action on Oct. 20, with receipt of funds expected Nov. 19 and repayment of the notes due March 1, 2026, according to the presentation.

Carol provided an illustrative estimate of principal and interest at an assumed 4.25% rate, producing estimated debt service of roughly $1,098,065, which would translate to a tax rate impact of about $0.51 per $1,000 of equalized value (roughly $51 per $100,000 of assessed value) on the levy used to pay the notes. She noted interest-rate movements could change the estimate before the sale.

The initial resolution requires a three-quarter majority of the board members-elect to adopt. Because the board had several vacancies at the time, counsel advised reducing the calculation of members-elect, and staff counted the threshold as 13 affirmative votes under current membership; the board reached the required affirmative vote and adopted the initial resolution.

The board also approved a municipal advisory agreement with Wisconsin Public Finance Professionals LLC and a scope-of-engagement with Corals & Brady to prepare the official statement and notice of sale and to conduct the sale process. The board adopted both resolutions on voice votes.

Ending: The board authorized staff to proceed with the borrowing process and instructed staff to return Oct. 20 with a bid-award resolution for formal approval after bids are taken on the scheduled sale date.","Richland County adopted an initial resolution permitting issuance of up to $1,085,000 in general obligation promissory notes for 2026 capital projects, and separately approved agreements with Wisconsin Public Finance Professionals LLC (municipal advisor) and legal engagement with Corals & Brady (bond counsel).",{"_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},6492960,"Richland County board approves new ambulance contract approach, sets $2.25-per-dispatch charge and $2,500 minimum for municipalities",765,3615000,4380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785651-ed0f2b793470644159fd316ec7da2ae7&start=3615&end=4380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785651-ed0f2b793470644159fd316ec7da2ae7/thumbnail_3615000.jpg","/articles/6492960/Richland-County/Wisconsin/Richland-County-board-approves-new-ambulance-contract-approach-sets-225-per-dispatch-charge-and-2500-minimum-for-municipalities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6492960-f9a71eb9cf74cc9b8ad1f92e75980e23/orig.mp4?Expires=1774890861&Signature=godDGqRDefBQw7uHZxMOtg2SllGVZpKiFY-ScFy~WHAQzHvpObZzwVlDgq6bFbNs1toA-uaU2Bgx3MJqgVOutd6QK5oy5gHI~zHGIXH5yM-lfNC4fdYwJQZI9kmei-NFGln8NyT8Lwwyx0etzLlHxwRcPC7Ugys90QYvgpCUcakrR6ukYlezEhZkNwSr1x8yiF46LyWuUIkemyLWdeZozluI~zFxXse1tB3k17ITIv90rRljLNBuTOsbDLMNSjDxbvlma5YCM0xKyKJ2EXWekokg0gise7VWaWHT5igBsZoorvfU46Jn~q1LQTaKVMTeaFhXrJavwOD8E2iffvdkMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richland County Board of Supervisors voted on Sept. 16 to replace the standing memorandum governing county ambulance services with a contract-based arrangement and to require municipalities to pay a per-dispatch charge and a minimum annual amount.

Under the amendment the board approved, each municipality will pay $2.25 for each time an ambulance request is made and an ambulance is dispatched; municipalities will also pay a minimum of $2,500. Board members amended the agreement language during the meeting to specify that the fee applies when an ambulance is dispatched rather than only when a person is transported.

The action followed extended discussion about the sustainability of the county-operated ambulance service, which officials and staff said has been operating under rates that have not kept pace with rising costs. County staff told the board the county's prior per-call charge structure has not covered vehicle replacement, facility repairs (including a roof needing work at the ambulance building) and rising supply and labor costs. The administrator and health staff said the proposal is intended to create a budget that can sustain the service without repeated draws on the county general fund.

Several townships and supervisors raised concerns about the size of increases for small rural municipalities. Board members agreed to change the implementing document from a memorandum to a contract and directed staff to present a contract to municipalities with a target for municipalities to respond by Nov. 1 so they can finalize municipal budgets. Supervisors also asked staff to provide more detailed call-volume data to municipalities to justify the calculations and noted Pine Valley call accounting needed clarification; staff said they had been unable to find documentation that Pine Valley calls were billed in a different manner in the past.

The board also approved a minor amendment clarifying that the per-dispatch charge would apply when a request resulted in a dispatch (not just when a patient is picked up). The board's legal advisor noted a contract would allow more robust indemnity and force-majeure language than a memorandum.

Ending: The board adopted the contract approach and rate structure as amended and asked staff and county counsel to draft a formal contract for municipalities to consider before the board meets again.","After months of committee discussion, the board amended and approved measures to shift the ambulance agreement from a memorandum to a contract, set a rate of $2.25 per ambulance dispatch with a $2,500 minimum municipal payment, and directed staff to produce a contract for municipalities to accept by Nov. 1.",{"_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},6492965,"Richland County administrator outlines 2026 preliminary budget, flags $300k general-fund use and highway levy concerns",1211,1243000,2454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785651-ed0f2b793470644159fd316ec7da2ae7&start=1243&end=2454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785651-ed0f2b793470644159fd316ec7da2ae7/thumbnail_1243000.jpg","/articles/6492965/Richland-County/Wisconsin/Richland-County-administrator-outlines-2026-preliminary-budget-flags-300k-general-fund-use-and-highway-levy-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6492965-21261146cf35b1c07dee9576cde53a37/orig.mp4?Expires=1774890861&Signature=JsMgn3G2t5ZcTO8PNgUiZWsEfvk6eogn33Tg5yxNVC6lUJanT25aRt3UTrZfWrpENCWTBocqRPF1n7s4PICV-DEypMhoqYxrbFmMfgbgMBaWl3NLI3SdIKBQd-wovHqGoU-Odk5~LvCB9j8UGOjwnsGzZ-EfS82-CXM9OHHJd6OVoH5Kdt4ahiqnJeZVs81k2yn9sZC47rey-NQMJmHpZZb70PsJ3Cc7KTtozcoaY4lUAXq-T03AfC3jAG5pZQf-pNUm0SpEf2RupNLT9OxSQdHmb0Y5agVKRjNFyvcXFdU7QLRySgi3gUvGfh~qu5PuNww61s0afboZZBBuakQxlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Administrator Richard Clemens presented the Richland County Board of Supervisors with a preliminary 2026 budget on Sept. 16, detailing planned department staffing changes, a $147,000 package for radio tower operations and technician costs tied to an $8 million tower project, and a proposed use of about $300,000 from the county's general fund to balance the budget.

Clemens said the draft advances all full-time employees one step on the wage scale and allocates $147,000 toward tower maintenance and a radio tower technician in MIS. The preliminary budget also builds in about $750,000 in projected revenue from Pine Valley and notes that public charges for services rose while some intergovernmental revenues fell from the prior year.

Clemens told supervisors the county did not include a cost-of-living adjustment in the draft but decided to preserve step increases recommended in a recent wage study. He also said the MIS budget rose substantially to harden cybersecurity after a previous breach and because ARPA funds that had supported MIS are no longer available.

The administrator highlighted that the preliminary plan relies on a general fund transfer of just over $300,000 to balance 2026 and warned that such a drawdown is not sustainable. \"We can get away with this for a year, but we need to be aware that for 2027 the budget will be even tighter,\" Clemens said.

Supervisors and residents asked questions about revenue allocation, particularly the wheel tax and township road maintenance. Clemens said the board has not authorized sharing wheel-tax revenues with townships; wheel-tax proceeds have been used for county road maintenance. He also noted that the highway levy has been flat since 2021 (it dropped that year) and said the county will likely need to consider a future levy increase to maintain highways.

The packet shown to the board included three accounting-style worksheets: a tax-levy distribution by fund, a levy-by-department worksheet and a budget workbook. Clemens said the county will continue to refine revenue estimates as state figures arrive and that some revenue lines may change before adoption. He recommended the board adopt the budget with the most current numbers available at the time of adoption.

Clemens described ongoing departmental restructurings in the draft, including creation of an HR director post (replacing an HR generalist), splitting emergency management from ambulance services, making certain ambulance administrative support a county staff position, and adding leads in child/youth services and behavioral health within Health and Human Services.

Board Chair Turk and several supervisors pressed for clarity on the highway levy and on how the budget approach affects townships and municipalities; Clemens said staff can return with more detail. The board did not adopt the budget at the meeting; Clemens described the presentation as the preliminary step in the budget process with formal adoption scheduled in later meetings.

Looking ahead, Clemens told supervisors the county will continue to reconcile numbers with state releases and refine levy worksheets and noted that highway-related revenues for 2025 were higher largely because of a large highway project that increased both expenses and offsetting revenue for the year.

Ending: The board received the preliminary budget for review and told staff to return with further detail; Clemens warned the board to plan for tighter budgets in 2027 if general-fund support is used in 2026.","County Administrator presented a preliminary 2026 budget that includes a $300,000 draw from the general fund to balance the plan, employee step increases, new radio tower operations funding, and a warning that the highway levy has not grown since 2021 and may require increases in future years.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Richland County Board actions on Sept. 16 — rezoning, appointments, Pine Valley, contracts, grants and staffing changes

Board approves $251,701 change order for final radio tower site after retaining wall and site issues increase costs

Board approves initial resolution for up-to-$1.085M short-term borrowing; municipal advisor and bond counsel engagements also approved

Richland County board approves new ambulance contract approach, sets $2.25-per-dispatch charge and $2,500 minimum for municipalities

Richland County administrator outlines 2026 preliminary budget, flags $300k general-fund use and highway levy concerns