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Sauk County Board approves orthophotography contract, insurance renewals, public‑health AI seed grant, lake restoration program and cropland lease
Summary
In a batch of routine business, the board passed several resolutions: authorized an orthophotography contract, renewed insurance coverage, accepted a Medical College seed grant for AI tools, authorized a Healthy Lakes & Rivers program application, and approved a cropland lease at the county health center. Vote tallies recorded where available.
The Sauk County Board approved a slate of routine but consequential items spanning mapping, insurance, public health technology, environmental grants and county land use.
Orthophotography: Resolution 96‑2024 authorized a contract with Ayres Associates for orthophotography acquisition and an amendment to the 2025 budget. Staff reported a Department of Military Affairs grant and a local match of $70,725.20 from the Land Records Modernization Fund. The resolution passed by the required two‑thirds vote (31 in favor, 0 opposed).
Insurance renewal: Resolution 97‑2024 authorized renewal of the county’s liability, property and workers’ compensation coverage after a competitive review. The Finance/Personnel/Insurance committee recommended the renewal; the board approved the resolution 31‑0.
Public health AI seed grant: Resolution 98‑2024 accepted a Medical College of Wisconsin "Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin" community‑led seed grant to develop AI tools to speed public‑health document review. Sponsors characterized the award as a one‑time seed grant to build a tool; the board approved the grant and related 2025 budget amendment 31‑0.
Healthy Lakes & Rivers: Resolution 99‑2024 authorized the county to apply for and implement DNR Healthy Lakes & Rivers grants to support shoreline restoration projects. Staff emphasized that the grants are typically one‑time implementation awards to assist property owners; the board approved the resolution 31‑0.
Cropland lease: Resolution 100‑2024 authorized a three‑year cropland lease on 11.4 acres at the Sauk County Health Care Center at $150 per acre (annual total $1,710). The board voted 31‑0 in favor.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution 96‑2024 (orthophotography contract/Ayres Associates): 31‑0 (passed) - Resolution 97‑2024 (liability/property/workers’ comp insurance): 31‑0 (passed) - Resolution 98‑2024 (Medical College seed grant for AI tools): 31‑0 (passed) - Resolution 99‑2024 (Healthy Lakes & Rivers application/implementation): 31‑0 (passed) - Resolution 100‑2024 (cropland lease at county health care center): 31‑0 (passed)
Several of these items have modest budgetary implications (the orthophotography contract was a multi‑million bid and required a local match; corp. counsel and staff noted the grant match and fund sources where applicable). Board members asked clarifying questions about program eligibility and grant renewal eligibility for the Healthy Lakes program and how orthophotography supports 911/land‑records work.
