The Sawyer County Highway Department told the Public Works Committee on Monday that heavy freezing rain and snow strained crews, equipment and limited the county’s ability to pre-wet salt because Sawyer lacks an on-site brine system.

Highway Department representative Vero said the county has been plowing daily since the day after Christmas, experienced multiple truck breakdowns and staff shortages, and is finishing Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) applications. "Out of 72 counties in the state of Wisconsin, 71 have a brine maker and are currently using brine," Vero said. "We are the only county that does not use brine on the county system whatsoever." He described buying brine from neighboring counties and carrying roughly 100 gallons per truck, which he said is insufficient for long state routes.

Why it matters: Vero warned that limited brine and long plow routes increase operational risk and slow storm response, while rising equipment costs make rapid fleet replacement difficult. He said modern plow trucks cost about $450,000 compared with around $220,000 a decade ago, and that Sawyer’s storage footprint (about 12,000 square feet) constrains where a brine maker could be sited even if state funds covered equipment purchases.

Supporting details: Vero said one plow route in the county stretches about 70 miles and may be run by a single operator; he compared Sawyer’s 100-gallon truck tanks to neighboring counties carrying 400–1,000 gallons per truck. He said the state will fund brine-making equipment (tanks and a brine maker), but the county lacks clear indoor space for that equipment. Vero also raised a financial concern about the county’s state-truck billing arrangement, saying Sawyer is on an "actual cost" reimbursement model and heavy winter use could produce year-end reimbursements owed back to the state.

Exchange and next steps: Committee members asked whether switching to brine is feasible and what space and cost trade-offs would be required. Vero said he will pursue options—potentially including a smaller brine-making facility or outside storage—and that he and Commissioner Kern are developing a fleet plan. He also said he will seek veteran plow-driver training from the state and requested a snowfighter training event next year be held locally.

The committee did not adopt an immediate policy change; members asked staff to return with options and zoning/facility details at a future meeting.