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Vernon County finance committee hears mixed views on landfill expansion, requests operations-only finances
Summary
At its March 17 meeting, Vernon County's Finance Committee heard split public comment on a proposed landfill expansion; Solid Waste Director Stacie Sanborn reported newly available airspace and confirmed past spending, while the committee voted to request operations-only income/expense reports and WDNR follow-up.
Vernon County's Finance Committee heard sharply divided public comment March 17 in Viroqua over a proposed landfill expansion, and asked staff to produce operations-only financial statements while the county awaits Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources approval of additional airspace.
Several Viroqua residents urged the committee to halt or carefully reconsider expansion plans. Anna Jo Doer and KJ Jakobson each said they opposed the expansion and questioned the landfill's financial viability. Another commenter identified as Sandock (first name not specified in the transcript) also spoke against expansion and later urged stronger waste-reduction efforts. By contrast, representatives of local businesses and municipal officials — including Mike Donski of LaFarge, Gail Frie (a former landfill manager), Mark Davidson (Town Chair of the Town of Forest) and business owner Mike Reschke of Big Hook — spoke in favor of expanding and keeping the facility open.
Solid Waste Director Stacie Sanborn told the committee the county is "at this point in the process" and reported recent news that additional airspace is available. Sanborn said she had "received a transfer license last Friday" and that there is "15k cu yds of possible air space." She also told the committee that spending toward the expansion began in 2020.
Supervisor Goede framed the financial argument for expansion, saying, "this $3 million investment will return $25 million," while Supervisor Lawler noted that the City of Viroqua has switched contractors and will no longer be bringing its garbage to the landfill — a change Sanborn confirmed represents roughly 10% of municipal waste received.
After discussion about accounting treatment — committee members noted that board books show operating losses but do not reflect about $860,000 already spent on expansion or more than $600,000 in capital assets paid with landfill funds — the committee approved a motion by Supervisor Charlie Jacobson, seconded by Supervisor Schweiger, requesting reports that show only operational income and expense (excluding expansion costs). The motion also directed Director Sanborn to follow up on airspace figures and WDNR approval and to email that information to committee members; on a voice vote all present voted in favor.
Chair Kay Stanek emphasized that the WDNR must approve the expansion and that the committee needs to weigh the new information before any formal decision. The committee's request for the narrower financial reports is intended to help separate routine operations from capital-expansion accounting as officials and the public continue to evaluate projected costs and revenues.
The committee will receive the requested information by email from staff and the matter remains contingent on WDNR decisions and further financial analysis.
