Sawyer County Board adopts 2025 budget, approves reserve borrowing and funding for Veterans’ Honor Park

The Sawyer County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 12 approved the county’s 2025 budget, set the levy at $14,872,693 and passed multiple related financing and program measures.

Mr. Markgren, a county staff member who reviewed recent budget changes, told the board that the proposed levy totaled $14,872,693 and that a $15,000 addition for Namekagon transit had been approved. The board also accepted a request from Supervisor Kay Wilson to add a $10,000 operating donation for the Hayward Weiss Library to the levy and approved the budget resolution after recorded votes.

The board approved a resolution authorizing borrowing for the capital improvement program (CIP) not to exceed $2,003,460. The motion to authorize the loan was made by Supervisor John Righeimer and seconded by Supervisor Marc D. Helwig; the resolution carried without negative votes.

Separately, the board allocated $250,000 from Community Development funds for a Veterans’ Honor Park, a motion presented by county staff and moved by Supervisor Stacey Hessel with a second from Supervisor Marc D. Helwig. The allocation passed on a voice vote (13–1), with Supervisor Kay Wilson recorded as opposed; the minutes note that grant reimbursement may be sought to offset costs.

A Letter of Intent to acquire property along Highway 63 for $154,977.80 was approved after discussion and two roll-call procedures. Supervisor John Righeimer moved the resolution; Supervisor Stacey Hessel seconded. A procedural roll call to bring the item to the floor carried 13–1; the final roll-call approval passed 9–5, with dissenting votes from Supervisors Kay Wilson, Thomas W. Duffy, Marc D. Helwig, John Suralski and Tweed Shuman.

The board also approved a number of committee and staff resolutions during the meeting: a Cooperative Tribal Law Enforcement grant agreement to streamline grant funds to the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) tribe for tribal animal control was renewed; Zoning Case #24-013 (Brad & Wenda Whitacre) was approved for a small hobby farm in the Town of Meadowbrook; and the county approved a Senior Resource Center DOT 85.21 grant.

Health and Human Services items included approval of a new Tourist Rooming Housing (TRH) fees and staffing schedule intended to fund enforcement and inspection staff; the ordinance’s fee schedule is set to take effect in January 2025. The board also approved a resolution requesting state legislative and executive support to establish an inpatient behavioral health facility in northern Wisconsin; the resolution was forwarded with board approval.

Votes at a glance

- Veterans’ Service Commission reappointment of Renee Brown: motion by Ron Buckholtz, second by Stacey Hessel; carried without negative vote. (SEG 019) - 2025 budget resolution (including $10,000 Weiss Library addition): motion by Tweed Shuman, second by Kay Wilson; initial recorded vote 12–2 (nays Hessel, Righeimer); subsequent roll-call vote recorded additional nay from Ron Kinsley; final resolution approved as recorded. (SEG 021) - CIP borrowing authorization (not to exceed $2,003,460): motion by John Righeimer, second by Marc D. Helwig; carried without negative vote. (SEG 021) - Veterans’ Honor Park funding ($250,000): motion by Stacey Hessel, second by Marc D. Helwig; voice vote 13–1 (nay Kay Wilson). Grant reimbursement possible. (SEG 021) - Rezone Request #24-013 (Brad & Wenda Whitacre): motion by Ron Buckholtz, second by Marshal Savitski; carried without negative vote. (SEG 021) - Cooperative Tribal Law Enforcement Grant agreement (renewal for LCO animal control): motion by Marc D. Helwig, second by Ron Buckholtz; carried without negative vote. (SEG 021) - Senior Resource Center DOT 85.21 grant: motion by Tweed Shuman, second by Thomas W. Duffy; carried without negative vote. (SEG 022) - Tourist Rooming Housing fees & staffing resolution (effective Jan. 2025): motion by Tweed Shuman, second by John Righeimer; carried without negative vote. (SEG 022) - Inpatient behavioral health facility resolution (requesting state funding/legislative support): motion by Marc D. Helwig, second by Thomas W. Duffy; carried without negative vote. (SEG 022) - Highway 63 property LOI ($154,977.80): motion by John Righeimer, second by Stacey Hessel; floor motion carried 13–1; final approval roll-call 9–5 (nays: Kay Wilson, Thomas W. Duffy, Marc D. Helwig, John Suralski, Tweed Shuman). (SEG 022)

Context and next steps

Board materials provided CIP summaries, fee schedules and 2025 staffing/FTE grids. County Administrator Mr. Albarado reviewed courthouse fee schedule changes and provided a radio communications system progress update; the board removed radio communications funding from the 2025 CIP index pending further decisions, which prompted the insertion of some 2026 CIP items into the 2025 index. Legal counsel is reviewing a petition to form a Callahan/Mud Lake District after the petition met the minimum signatures; the board may call a special meeting on that matter.

The meeting concluded at 8:19 p.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 19, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. Minutes were recorded by County Clerk Lynn Fitch.