Board repeals and recreates county emergency-management ordinance, clarifies administrator authority

Rock County's Board voted to repeal and recreate Rock County Ordinance Chapter 2 Part 5 to re-establish Emergency Management as a standalone department and to update language including the authority to declare emergencies and reimbursement procedures for hazardous-material incidents.

Supervisor Bostwick moved the ordinance change and Supervisor Woodman seconded. Supervisor Tillman summarized the executive summary: the Emergency Management Department was moved out of the sheriff's office in November 2023 and the updated ordinance clarifies terms (for example, distinguishing emergency government vs. emergency management), names the Public Safety and Justice Committee as the oversight committee and clarifies the County Administrator’s authority to declare emergencies and the process for reimbursement related to hazardous-material spills. "There used to be language about emergency government versus emergency management. That's an example," Tillman said while explaining the changes.

A staff representative (Mr. Wernat) was present for questions; no supervisors requested changes during discussion. The Board approved the repeal-and-recreate ordinance by voice vote; no roll call was taken in the transcript. The ordinance update will be referred to the Public Safety and Justice Committee for oversight per the new language.