Richland County board approves rezoning, personnel and funding measures; sets salaries and updates rules

The Richland County Board of Supervisors adopted multiple ordinances and resolutions on a largely consent and committee‑recommended agenda, approving rezonings, personnel changes, grants and salary adjustments.

What the board approved: The board adopted two zoning ordinances that rezone specific parcels to allow residential or agricultural‑residential development (Parcel 008‑0841‑3000 and Parcel 006‑3231‑2000). Supervisors also approved updates to the county personnel handbook clarifying outside employment rules and vacation prorating for part‑time staff, and removed an outdated probation clause. A resolution setting salaries for the sheriff, clerk of courts and coroner effective January 2027 was adopted after committee discussion about phased increases and a noted typographical error in a printed salary line.

Opioid funds and treatment court: The board authorized the Department of Health and Human Services to award opioid‑settlement grants and approved an additional $5,000 to the Richland County treatment court to cover registration and lodging for staff attending a national conference. "The increase that I'm needing is just $5,000," treatment coordinator Savannah Huber told the board, explaining updated registration and lodging costs.

Rules and committees: Board members voted to adopt a package of updates to the Richland County rules of the board, including clarifications about liaison selection, ad hoc committee leadership assignments at reorganization, remote attendance notification, and removal of an automatic vice‑chair assignment for the county board chair. Amendments to Appendix A altered committee assignments and oversight — for example, oversight of Pine Valley Community Village was clarified under Community and Health Services and some joint committees were removed.

Closed session and other items: The board moved into closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1) to consult with legal counsel on litigation strategy; the roll call recorded unanimous 'aye' and the board stated it would take no action following the closed session. The board also reviewed correspondence (including newspaper clippings about the transmission line) and thanked departing members before adjourning.

Votes at a glance: • Ordinance 26‑6 (Parcel 008‑0841‑3000 rezoning): motion by McKee, second by Cooley; adopted by voice vote. • Ordinance 26‑7 (Parcel 006‑3231‑2000 rezoning): motion by Perry, second by Cooley; adopted by voice vote. • Resolution 26‑8 (Missing Persons Awareness Month proclamation): motion by Kramer, second by McKee; adopted. • Resolution 26‑9 (Opioid settlement grants, including $5,000 for treatment court travel): motion by McKee, second by Nolan; adopted. • Resolution 26‑10 (Personnel handbook updates): motion by Perry, second by Frank; adopted. • Resolution 26‑11 (Salaries for sheriff, clerk of court, coroner): motion by Kramer, second by Hendrix; adopted. • Resolution 26‑12 (Rules of the Board updates): motion by Frank, second by Perry; adopted. • Resolution 26‑13 (Appendix A committee amendments): motion by McKee, second by Cooley; adopted. • Motion to enter closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1): motion by Ferry, second by Schoonover; roll‑call unanimous; no action following closed session.

What to expect next: Staff will proceed with administrative follow‑ups — scheduling the TransSource presentation if the company responds, awarding approved opioid grants through the Department of Health and Human Services, and implementing rule and committee updates at reorganization. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for April 21; a new board will be constituted after the election.