Walworth County Public Works Committee approves multiple CIP changes, transfers and project payments

Walworth County Public Works Committee members on April 21 approved multiple capital improvement project (CIP) scope changes, closed two projects and authorized a $35,000 purchase of touchless ice machines for Lakeland Healthcare Center.

The committee, chaired by Dennis Kurowski, voted to approve a change of scope for a Lakeland School passenger van — replacing a planned high-top model with a medium-roof bariatric van — and to delay surplus of a Health & Human Services passenger vehicle for one year. Committee members also approved final payment to contractor Payne & Dolan for County Trunk B (Genoa City) and closed two projects, transferring remaining funds to county reserves.

The Lakeland Healthcare Center requested smaller, touchless ice machines for six locations to reduce infection and contamination risk; Rich, a county staff member, summarized the proposal and said, “Budget here is $35,000.” The committee approved that new CIP request.

On fleet policy, Rich described the county’s Fleet Operations and Maintenance Plan (FOMP), explaining thresholds used to decide repairs. He said the HHS vehicle in question is roughly 12 years old and has a book value of about $5,500; the vehicle will receive only routine maintenance unless repair costs remain low.

The committee approved a final pay request to Payne & Dolan for County Trunk B (project 230B1). It also adopted Resolution No. 05-25 to close the County ES culvert replacement project and move remaining funds to the road and bridge construction committed fund balance, and adopted a separate resolution to close the Government Center exterior assessment repair project and transfer remaining funds to the general fund building and equipment reserve.

Other consent and report items noted in the meeting included a signed contract for County Highway C reconditioning (reported as within the county highway commissioner’s authority), foundation pours progressing at Webster House, a furniture bid for Lakeland Healthcare Center currently on hold for legal review, ongoing zoning work for a dog park, and a planned replacement/upgrade of the vehicle maintenance facility’s fluid management system with software and hardware updates.

The committee approved all motions by voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the public transcript.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of agenda and minutes (03/17/2025): motion approved by voice vote. - Consent items (including County Highway C contract report, Webster House foundation update, furniture bid on hold, dog park zoning, fluid management system): approved by voice vote. - CIP change — Lakeland School van (remove “high top” specification; order medium-roof bariatric van): approved (mover not specified; second by Rick Stacy). - CIP change — HHS passenger vehicle surplus delayed one year: approved (second by Rick Stacy). - CIP change — Sheriff’s Office credential policy software (project 12413): approved. - New CIP request — Lakeland Healthcare Center touchless ice machines; budget $35,000: approved. - Final pay — Payne & Dolan, County Trunk B (Genoa City), project 230B1: approved. - Resolution No. 05-25 — close County ES culvert replacement project; transfer remaining funds to road and bridge construction committed fund balance: approved. - Resolution No. 05-25 (government center exterior assessment repair project closure): approved.

The committee set its next meeting for Monday, May 19, 2025, at 3 p.m., and adjourned following approval of those items.