Zoning administrator Jay reviewed the department’s 2026 budget outlook, potential capital improvement projects and a proposal to pursue a comprehensive rewrite of the county zoning ordinance.

Staff said the operating budget request is modestly different from 2025 due to a personnel change and that permit revenue projections were raised slightly in recognition of continued building activity. Jay identified several capital requests: participation in a groundwater monitoring mapping study (a multi-year project), replacement of the Fishtrap dam (with municipal dam grant funding covering roughly 50% of costs) and a possible comprehensive zoning ordinance rewrite. Jay said the ordinance rewrite would be a larger undertaking likely requiring an outside consultant; he cited recent work done by other counties with estimated costs that could reach tens of thousands of dollars.

County legal counsel Rebecca confirmed the benefits and consequences of a comprehensive rewrite: it is labor-intensive, may prompt towns to consider opting out of county zoning under state statute, and county attorneys and Wisconsin Counties Association resources can assist. Rebecca offered to connect staff with WCA resources and practitioners who have led rewrites.

Committee discussion also covered the county’s current practice of publishing notices (staff currently sends notices to two newspapers in the absence of a single newspaper of record), increasing public hearing and publication costs, and the need to work with towns on any comprehensive rewrite to avoid unintended withdrawals. The committee asked staff to complete the strategic-plan forms and to continue budget discussions with county administration.