Waupaca County Board adopts zoning and plan amendments, accepts donations and approves courthouse relocation budget

Waupaca County Board of Supervisors Chair David Morack convened the county board on Dec. 17, 2024. The board unanimously adopted a series of comprehensive-plan and zoning map amendments, accepted multiple donations to county public-safety and community programs, approved a contract and appointments, and amended the 2025 budget to fund relocation costs related to courthouse renovations.

The board adopted Resolution No. 30 (PLUM-010-2024), which changes parcel 05-27-54-1 in the Town of Farmington from Agriculture to Residential (approximately 10.235 acres) to allow a proposed parcel split. Supervisor Cindy Hardy moved the resolution and Supervisor Fred Zaug seconded; the motion carried 24-0. Similar comprehensive-plan amendments and zoning ordinances were approved for parcels in the towns of Royalton, Helvetia, Matteson, Lebanon and additional parcels in Farmington (Resolutions Nos. 31–33, 43 and Ordinances Z-015 through Z-021), following recommendations from the Planning & Zoning Committee and the required public hearings.

The board accepted several donations designated for sheriff’s office programs and community services. Resolution No. 33 authorized acceptance of $1,500 from NextEra Energy Resources for the county’s Shop with a Cop program; Res. 34 and Res. 35 accepted $1,500 from Plach Automotive Inc. and $1,593 from the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin to support the county K-9 Unit. Res. 39 and Res. 40 accepted funds for the Waupaca County Dive Team, including a $1,200 gift from 81 Market and a $15,800 donation from 715 Harvest Fest. Res. 46 accepted $1,000 from Walleyes for Kids Inc. for Shop with a Cop. Resolution No. 42 accepted $2,000 from Howard Cook for the Senior Nutrition Program. All donation resolutions passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

On budget matters, the board adopted Resolution No. 47, amending the 2025 annual budget to allocate $180,000 from the General Fund unassigned fund balance to cover relocation expenditures during the courthouse renovation. The resolution itemized estimated costs including building improvements (totaling $89,200, which includes a contingency of $8,600), technology equipment and services ($50,000), lease costs ($18,000), utilities ($20,400) and internet ($2,400). Supervisor Lila Malvik-Shower moved the amendment and Supervisor Ken Jaeger seconded; the motion carried 24-0. The resolution authorized the Finance Department to make the necessary budget adjustments and noted that lease, utilities and internet costs for 2026 will be incorporated into the 2026 annual budget.

The board also approved a professional services contract for geospatial services (motion by Supervisor Pete Bosquez, seconded by Supervisor Lila Malvik-Shower; vote 24-0), reappointed two members to the OWLS Board of Trustees (Mike Hankins and Diane Forsythe) for three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and received reports including the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office 2023 annual report presented by Sheriff Timothy R. Wilz. Vice Chair James Nygaard delivered his monthly report. Chair Morack placed district correspondence on file and supervisors were briefed on steps to receive county-issued iPads and email access.

The meeting opened at 9:00 a.m. with 24 supervisors present and adjourned at 10:10 a.m. Motions and votes on ordinances, resolutions, appointments and contracts were recorded in the meeting minutes and certified by County Clerk Kristy K. Opperman.

Votes at a glance: Resolutions 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47 — all adopted (typically recorded as 24-0 unless otherwise noted; Ordinance Z-019-2024 recorded a 23-0 vote with one abstention in the motion record).