Big Bend adopts rewritten Chapter 12 licensing ordinance and updates fee schedule, including new DNR exception for bird-taking

The Village of Big Bend board voted to adopt Ordinance 2026-01, repealing and re-creating Chapter 12 of the municipal code to update licensing provisions and enforcement language. The ordinance includes new language prohibiting killing or injuring birds within village limits “unless licensed and permitted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources,” a provision trustees said was added to page 22 of the draft.

Trustee 6, who led the chapter-by-chapter update, said the rewrite deletes outdated material and brings fines and fees in line with current enforcement needs. “We added the phrase unless licensed and permitted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources,” Trustee 6 said, describing the committee’s work to align the ordinance with state DNR permitting.

The board then approved Resolution 2026-01, a fee schedule intended to mirror the ordinance’s updated licensing structure. Finance reported staff surveyed neighboring municipalities and recommended phased adjustments to avoid startling residents and businesses with sudden large increases. For fireworks permits, the board discussed moving from a $35 one-time per-event permit to a $100 annual permit; a local speaker noted the increase during the discussion, asking for clarification on single-use versus annual fees.

Board members said finance had reconciled fee definitions and cross-checked language with the ordinance to ensure fines matched enforcement authorities. The ordinance, the trustee said, will be followed by additional chapter updates (chapters 9, 11 and later chapter 5) to modernize the municipal code.

Both the ordinance and the fee resolution passed by voice vote at the meeting. Trustees did not provide a roll-call vote in the transcript; the clerk recorded the motions, second and a unanimous “Aye.”