Board approves formal creation of Farmland Preservation Plan update steering committee after public objections

The Eau Claire County Board voted unanimously to create a formal Farmland Preservation Plan Update Steering Committee to complete the county’s farmland preservation plan update, after public comment raised procedural concerns about an earlier volunteer group.

At public comment, farmer Steve Stry told the board he had been asked by county staff in February 2023 to join the farmland preservation steering committee and that he was later told corporate counsel and planning staff had declared that committee “invalid and our work null and void.” In his remarks he quoted an internal exchange, saying when he asked why the committee was deemed invalid, “he said, and I quote, county staff has no authority.” Stry asked the board to reinstate the original members.

Resident Desi Johnson told the board she had retained an attorney after staff reclassified the committee from a steering committee to a work group when the group discussed provisions disallowing wind and solar. Johnson said the county’s Title 19 requires a steering committee and that corporate counsel’s guidance about appointment processes was applied incorrectly; she asked the board to deny the planning department resolution that would have required reapplication under a different process.

Planning and Development staff and counsel explained the legal concerns. Director Rod Eslinger said staff reached out to subject‑matter experts starting in December 2023 and that staff had treated the body as an advisory/steering group; after counsel review staff were advised the committee needed formal recognition by the county board to avoid future challenges. Planning staff said they plan to contact prior volunteers and invite them to apply through the standard appointment process.

Board action: the planning and development committee recommended (5–0) that the board create the steering committee without pre‑naming members and the board approved the resolution 24–0. Supervisor Zook said the committee’s work is near consensus and that formal appointment would allow the plan process to continue toward public hearings and final adoption in the fall.

Clarifying notes: committee members and staff confirmed the appointment process will follow the county code (advertising and application requirements) and that nominations or reappointment of prior volunteers will follow the same application and appointment steps; final appointments will be ratified by the full board when submitted.