Waupaca County board approves courthouse schematic funds, accepts donation, updates ordinances and fills committee vacancies

Waupaca County’s Board of Supervisors on Dec. 19 approved several routine and capital‑planning items, including $315,000 for courthouse schematic design, acceptance of a $9,600 donation for the sheriff’s dive team, adoption of a speed limit ordinance for County Trunk Highway K, a zoning map amendment for the Town of St. Lawrence, approval of a schematic design contract, and multiple committee appointments.

Courthouse schematic design: The board adopted Resolution No. 28 (2023–2024) to transfer $315,000 from the General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance to the Capital Projects Fund to pay for schematic design work for a courthouse modernization project. Supr. Bosquez moved the resolution and Supr. Malvik‑Shower seconded; the motion carried 23-0. The resolution notes the county’s goal to modernize the courthouse for current and future employees and guests and identifies Dimension IV–Madison Design Group as the architecture/engineering proposer for schematic design.

Donation to Sheriff’s Office: The board accepted $9,600 from 715 Harvest Fest for the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and directed that the funds be placed in a restricted donation account. Supr. Murphy moved and Supr. Hardy seconded the motion to adopt Resolution No. 30; the motion carried 23-0.

Ordinance amendment — speed limit: The County Board amended Chapter 7.04 to set a 35 mph speed limit on County Trunk Highway “K” (Ware Street) from Tower Road east to 1,250 feet east of Constance Road. The ordinance takes effect when signs are erected. Supr. McClone moved and Supr. Much seconded the motion to amend the ordinance; the vote was 23-0.

Zoning amendment: The Planning & Zoning Committee recommended granting Petition Z‑022‑2023 (Endure LLC) to rezone property in the SW 1/4 of SE 1/4 of Section 34, along Granite Quarry Road, Fire Number E3958, Town of St. Lawrence, from Agriculture Retention (AR) to Rural Residential Overlay (RR‑O). The board approved the amendment (Supr. Federwitz moved; Supr. Nygaard seconded), and the ordinance will be effective upon filing the town’s certified approval or after statutory waiting periods outlined in the ordinance text.

Contract award: The board approved awarding the schematic design contract (motion by Supr. D. Johnson; second by Supr. Zaug; vote 23-0).

Appointments: Rob Way was appointed to represent County Board Supervisory District 25 for the remainder of the term ending April 15, 2024 (motion Supr. Zaug; Supr. Bosquez seconded; vote 23-0). The board filled several subcommittee vacancies: Lee Much was appointed to the IT Subcommittee to serve until April 15, 2024 (motion Supr. Bosquez; Supr. Jaeger seconded; carried 23-0 with one abstention); Supr. Zaug moved and Supr. Will seconded the motion to appoint Dave Morack to the Human Resources Subcommittee (vote 24-0); Supr. D. Johnson moved and Supr. Hardy seconded the motion to appoint Dave Morack to the Waupaca County Economic Development Committee (vote 24-0); and Supr. McClone moved and Supr. Nygaard seconded the motion to appoint Lila Malvik‑Shower to the Finance Committee (carried 23-0 with one abstention).

Reports and closing: The board received the Annual Clerk of Courts report from Yvette Kienert, the Sheriff’s report from Sheriff Wilz, and monthly reports from Chair Dick Koeppen and Vice Chair Dave Morack. Chair Koeppen placed correspondence on file and adjourned the meeting at 9:58 a.m.

Taken together, the actions move planning work for courthouse modernization forward, finalize the finance office budget decision taken in a companion resolution, and address routine governance and land‑use matters recorded on the Dec. 19 agenda.