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Eau Claire County Board re-elects Nancy Coffey as chair; supervisors approve appointments, deny claim
Summary
At its April 21, 2026 organizational meeting, the Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors re-elected Supervisor Nancy Coffey as chair in an 18-9 paper-ballot vote, elected Connie Russell and Kirk Dahl as vice chairs, adopted a resolution denying a claim, and approved multiple county and regional appointments.
Nancy Coffey, chair of the Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors, was re-elected chair on April 21, 2026, after paper ballots were cast by supervisors. Coffey received 18 votes to Dane Zook's 9 votes.
The vote followed nominations from among board members. On a motion by Supervisor David Hirsch, Coffey was nominated for chair; Supervisor Dane Zook was also nominated. After board members addressed the body, paper ballots elected Coffey.
The board also chose its vice chairs. On a motion by Supervisor Bob Swanson, Supervisor Connie Russell was nominated and, after a paper-ballot vote, was elected First Vice Chair, 18 to 9 over John Folstad. The Second Vice Chair election required two rounds of paper ballots: Kirk Dahl and Gerald "Jerry" Wilkie were the final contenders after Cory W. Sisk declined a nomination; in the runoff Dahl received 14 votes to Wilkie's 13 and was elected Second Vice Chair.
The organizational actions were part of a broader meeting that included the swearing-in of newly elected supervisors and routine business. The Honorable Emily M. Long administered the Oath of Office to supervisors elected at the April 7, 2026 Spring Election; County Clerk Sue McDonald presented the Certificate of Election. Roll call showed 27 supervisors present and two absent (Joe Knight and Aiden Vollmer).
During procedural business the board approved the Journal of Proceedings from April 8, 2026, on a motion by Supervisor Deirdre Jenkins, seconded by Supervisor David Hirsch. The roll-call vote on the journal recorded 25 ayes, 0 noes, 2 abstentions and 2 absent.
The board acted on one formal resolution during the meeting. The Committee on Finance & Budget brought forward Resolution 25-26/127 to deny the claim of Clifton Vollendorf against Eau Claire County. Supervisor Cory W. Sisk moved the resolution and Supervisor Allen Myren seconded; the resolution was adopted by roll call vote with 26 ayes, 1 abstention and 2 absent.
The board also approved a slate of appointments by a unanimous show-of-hands vote on a motion by Supervisor David Hirsch, seconded by Supervisor Loralee Clark. Approved appointments included Barry Wells to the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport Commission; new and continuing members to the Local Emergency Planning Commission and the Groundwater Advisory Committee; a new appointment to the Land Conservation Commission; and others listed by the county clerk.
Administrator Jon Johnson presented the 2025 Annual Report/State of the County and written finance reports (including the 2026 contingency fund report and March 2026 payments over $10,000) were provided to the board. Two rezoning requests were introduced for future consideration: one from Birch Hill Properties, LLC (applicant Steve Gibson) for the Town of Washington, and one from Trinity Equestrian Center, LLC (applicant Jason R. Heiss of Heiss-Loken Land Surveying) for the Town of Brunswick.
The public comment period produced no speakers. The board adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Nancy Coffey elected Chair (18-9); Connie Russell elected First Vice Chair (18-9); Kirk Dahl elected Second Vice Chair after runoff (14-13); Resolution 25-26/127 denying the claim of Clifton Vollendorf adopted (26 ayes, 1 abstain, 2 absent); multiple appointments approved unanimously by show of hands.
