Dodge County Board approves 50-year lease framework with City of Juneau, reappoints housing authority member and clears zoning changes

The Dodge County Board of Supervisors voted to approve Resolution 24-35, authorizing framework terms for a lease between Dodge County and the City of Juneau for administration building grounds, after a short debate about available documentation and termination terms. The board later confirmed the county administrator's reappointment of Glenn Stalson to the Dodge County Housing Authority for a five-year term and approved two town zoning ordinance amendments and one ordinance amendment.

Board members opened questions on the Juneau lease after the resolution was read into the record. Supervisor Bridal said she was “uncomfortable voting either in favor or against this, given the limited amount of information we have,” and asked that action be postponed to the October meeting to allow members to review the actual lease text. Supervisor Steger and others responded that the general terms are included in the resolution, that the county would have no direct cost aside from snow removal, and that the resolution includes a termination provision allowing the county to end the lease if it later had a critical need for the area. Steger also said the City of Juneau received grant funding to support a downtown beautification plan tied to the proposal.

After discussion, the chair called the vote; the resolution passed with a roll-call result reported as 27–1. The board confirmed Glenn Stalson's reappointment to the Dodge County Housing Authority for a five-year term expiring Sept. 30, 2029; that appointment was moved and seconded and carried without further comment.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 24-35 (lease with City of Juneau): motion by Supervisor Guggenberger, second by Supervisor Kane; passed 27–1. - Resolution 24-36 (Town of Chester zoning amendment — Sean O'Donovan petition): motion by Supervisor Bubbles, second by Supervisor Guggenberger; passed 28–0. - Resolution 24-37 (Town of Hubbard zoning amendment): motion by Supervisor Bischoff, second by Supervisor Miller; passed 28–0. - Ordinance No. 1153 (amending fiscal chapter): motion by Supervisor Benter, second by Supervisor Bischoff; passed 27–1. - Reappointment: Glenn Stalson to the Dodge County Housing Authority (5-year term to Sept. 30, 2029): moved by Hedrick, second by Benter; carried.

The board also heard a procedural question about ordinance process from Supervisor Belk; general counsel clarified that ordinance amendments are considered similarly to resolutions and do not require a separate first or second reading. The meeting concluded with the board setting its next meeting for Oct. 15, 2024 at 6 p.m.

The record shows the lease resolution includes general terms and a 50-year maximum length was discussed, along with a termination clause. Several supervisors asked to see the lease text and supporting documentation; the resolution passed despite those requests. The city’s grant that prompted the project was described in the meeting as roughly $100,000; the board did not provide a fiscal commitment but noted the county’s potential obligation for snow removal only, per committee discussion.