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Walworth County Board approves ordinances, resolutions and appointments; Supervisor Stanek records dissent on salary resolution
Summary
At its March 10, 2026 meeting in Elkhorn the Walworth County Board approved multiple ordinances, resolutions and board appointments. One supervisor, Al Stanek, requested his vote be recorded as “No” on a salary‑setting resolution for the clerk of courts and sheriff.
ELKHORN, Wis. — The Walworth County Board of Supervisors on March 10 approved a slate of ordinances, resolutions, zoning changes and appointments, and accepted committee recommendations on a range of administrative matters.
The board voted by voice on multiple items recommended by standing committees, including two zoning amendments, an ordinance adjusting chairperson duties (Ord. No. 1396‑03/26), an ordinance adjusting the county tire recycling collection fee (Ord. No. 1397‑03/26), proclamations proclaiming April 2026 as Fair Housing Month and Volunteer Month, and several county appointments to boards and commissions.
Why it matters: most actions were routine committee recommendations approved by voice vote, but the board recorded one formal dissent on a personnel pay resolution, highlighting ongoing concern among some supervisors about how fixed salary decisions can shape expectations for future pay and county budgets.
What the board approved: - Appointments: the board confirmed four nominees to the Health and Human Services Board (Monica Los, Judith Atkinson, William Wucherer and Dr. Christopher Tanner) and Mary Hubbard Nugent to the Prairie Lakes Library System Board; terms were specified on the agenda. - Zoning: the board approved County Zoning Agency recommendations to rezone approximately 9.4 acres (Honey Creek Trust) and 1.44 acres (Willow Springs Orchard LLC) to C‑2 commercial designations. - Ordinances and resolutions: the board approved Ord. No. 1396‑03/26 (amending chairperson duties), Ord. No. 1397‑03/26 (amending the tire recycling collection fee), Res. No. 79‑03/26 (proclaiming April 2026 Fair Housing Month), Res. No. 80‑03/26 (proclaiming April 2026 Volunteer Month), Res. No. 81‑03/26 (supporting renewal of the Knowles‑Nelson Stewardship Program), Res. No. 84‑03/26 (denying the claim of Randy Ide), and Res. No. 63‑03/26 (acknowledging changes to the rural functional classification system). - Personnel actions: Res. No. 82‑03/26 set salaries for the Clerk of Courts and the Sheriff for the 2027–2030 term; Res. No. 83‑03/26 authorized two position reclassifications in the District Attorney's Office.
Notable discussion and recorded dissent: Supervisor Al Stanek, speaking during the Human Resources Committee items, said he was concerned that approving higher fixed salaries for the Clerk of Courts and Sheriff could “contribute to wage inflation” and create a precedent for future pay expectations; he asked that his vote on Res. No. 82‑03/26 be recorded as “No.” The resolution was approved by voice vote with Stanek’s opposition recorded.
Operational note: Director of Public Works Richard Hough told the board that summer recycling program advertisements will reflect the lower tire‑recycling collection fees adopted under Ord. No. 1397‑03/26.
Votes at a glance (motion, mover, second, outcome): - Approve meeting agenda and minutes — moved by Supervisor Susan M. Pruessing; seconded by Vice‑Chair Sheila T. Reiff; approved by voice vote. - Confirm appointments to Health & Human Services Board and Prairie Lakes Library System Board — moved by Supervisor Pruessing; seconded by Supervisor Brian Holt; approved by voice vote. - Ord. No. 1396‑03/26 (chairperson duties) and Res. Nos. 79‑03/26, 80‑03/26, 84‑03/26, and amendment to April 21 swearing‑in time — moved by Supervisor Joseph Schaefer; seconded by Vice‑Chair Reiff; approved by voice vote. - Ord. No. 1397‑03/26 (tire recycling fee) — moved by Supervisor Dennis G. Karbowski; seconded by Supervisor Bud Wojcik; approved by voice vote. - Res. No. 82‑03/26 (set salaries for Clerk of Courts and Sheriff 2027–2030) — moved by Supervisor Joseph Schaefer; seconded by Supervisor Bud Wojcik; approved by voice vote; Supervisor Al Stanek recorded his vote as No. - Res. No. 83‑03/26 (reclassifications in DA’s office) — moved by Supervisor Joseph Schaefer; seconded by Supervisor Kathy Ingersoll; approved by voice vote. - Res. No. 81‑03/26 (Knowles‑Nelson renewal support) — moved by Supervisor Brian Holt; seconded by Supervisor Schaefer; approved by voice vote. - Res. No. 63‑03/26 (rural functional classification acknowledgement) — moved by Supervisor Kenneth H. Monroe; seconded by Supervisor Dennis G. Karbowski; approved by voice vote.
The meeting, chaired by Rick Stacey, included routine committee reports and closed at 5:22 p.m. The board also amended the April 21 swearing‑in time for newly elected members. The Board did not receive public comment on agenda or non‑agenda items at this meeting.
Next steps: items adopted as ordinances or resolutions will be processed according to county procedures; the Clerk’s office will record appointments and the change to the April 21 swearing‑in time.
