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Bayfield County approves budget amendments, grant awards and personnel changes; radio grant wins unanimous support
Summary
At its May 26 meeting the Bayfield County Board approved several budget amendments and resolutions — including a $74,000 increase for courthouse bathroom repairs, a personnel wage-compensation amendment (roughly $44,000 cost in 2026) and acceptance of a $2.2 million radio grant — and authorized steps on multiple energy and facility grants.
Bayfield County supervisors approved a series of budget amendments, grant acceptances and personnel adjustments during their May 26 meeting in Washburn. The board moved to adopt consent-agenda items and separate resolutions that together shape the county’s near-term capital and operational plans.
The board approved Resolution 2026-56 to add $74,000 to the lower-level courthouse bathroom repair budget after bids came in above the original estimate. County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison told supervisors the extra amount reflects one additional plumbing area that needs work; the motion passed 12–1.
The board also adopted a Personnel and Executive Committee–recommended amendment to the county’s recently completed Wage Compensation Study. Abeles-Allison said the change — implemented retroactively to Jan. 1 — allows step increases where a position’s grade changed; the estimated 2026 cost implication is approximately $44,000. The amendment was approved as part of the consent roll call.
Emergency Management reported award of a $2.2 million FY2026 radio grant to support radios for fire, EMS, sheriff and highway departments, with a required local cost match of $64,200; supervisors approved Resolution 2026-60 unanimously. Abeles-Allison said some spending will occur in 2026 and some in 2027.
The board authorized staff to pursue a $250,000 Energy Innovation Grant to pilot an electric-vehicle fleet for rural local government vehicle procurement, a proposal Abeles-Allison said would cover supplemental costs to buy 8–10 electric vehicles if awarded. The resolution passed 10–3 after members raised questions about charging access and practicality in a rural setting.
Other motions included approval of a $142,000 Department of Administration non-state grant for work on the Iron River Highway Garage and courthouse dome (Resolution 2026-58), and authorization to proceed with Department of Energy projects and contract amendments tied to the 2026 budget (Resolution 2026-59). The board also voted to consider a package of WCA platform resolutions on state tax and funding issues; that package passed 11–2.
Appointments to the Board of Adjustment were confirmed (Shari Eggleson, Adrian Wydeven and Christine Liebhauser). The board recognized local volunteers in the AARP Volunteer Tax Program and acknowledged partners on the Aurora Place housing project.
The meeting concluded with scheduling of future meetings and a discussion about next steps for contract negotiations with outside legal counsel.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 2026-56 (bathroom repair budget amendment): Yes-12; No-1. - Resolution 2026-57 (Energy Innovation Grant application): Yes-10; No-3. - Resolution 2026-58 (DOA non-state grant, Iron River garage & dome): Yes-13; No-0. - Resolution 2026-59 (Proceed with DOE projects/contracts): Yes-13; No-0. - Resolution 2026-60 (FY2026 radio grant acceptance): Yes-13; No-0. - WCA platform resolutions package (Res. 2026-50–2026-55): Yes-11; No-2.
What’s next: staff will prepare documents and grant agreements as awards and amendments are finalized; the board directed staff to include planned 2027 costs in the upcoming budget work.
