County staff reports storm cleanup, facilities projects and early-quarter budgets

Michael, a Waushara County staff member, told the Waushara County board during staff reports that parks crews have focused on cleanup after a recent ice storm, removing downed trees and grinding debris while also watching lake water levels.

"Thank you very much for your time and your effort you put into this," Michael told the board as he opened his report, thanking board members for their service. He said Alpine "is holding its own" and noted the county owns an earthen dam on that lake that staff are monitoring.

Michael outlined several facilities projects: the county is preparing the old highway shop for a medical examiner's office rehab with permits in hand and construction expected to start next week; two detention-center projects (master control and housing/office rehab) are in a bid phase and the county adjusted specifications to use standard furniture and cabinetry to reduce costs; and epoxy-floor work is proceeding at roughly two units per week.

On building systems, Michael said crews are evaluating a mini-split HVAC system (one condensing unit, two heads) to control heat and high humidity in the elevator room and in the jail's booking area. He also reported steady progress on wiring and installing a new smoke system and additional maintenance work on county communication towers.

Staffing and contracting updates included a search to fill one summer-help parks position, interviews to replace a departed second-shift housekeeping employee, and use of local contractors for flooring and other bids. "The lowest bid that I got on it was from a literally a local flooring company," Michael said.

On property and leasing, Michael said the request for proposals for Flynn's has been posted, the current tenant has been told the county will not renew the lease, and the county sent the RFP to a Mr. Welch at his request; he said proposals are due "on the 27th of this month." He added that a septic tank at the Flynn's building was pumped recently and that some work is delayed until rains stop despite permits being ready.

Michael presented an early-year budget summary: for 2025 the building and grounds line used 88.32% of its budget last year, and parks came in at 82.43%. He said first-quarter spending is about 20.12% for parks and 24.23% for facilities and noted a miscoded journal entry that should be moved to the building fund (for epoxy floors), which will improve the reported percentages once corrected.

Michael also said the county applied for three parks grants and has been asked follow-up questions by DNR staff about proposals for Willow and Mount Morris parks, which staff described as effectively the same park for the application.

At the start of the meeting the board approved the agenda and a motion to approve the March 12 meeting minutes by voice vote; the record notes the motions were moved and seconded but does not include roll-call tallies.

Next steps noted in the meeting record: construction work for the medical examiner rehab is expected to begin next week if weather allows, Flynn's proposals are due on the 27th of this month, and staff said they will continue to monitor grant questions and first-quarter spending.