Oneida County committee denies funding for radar speed signs near Windmill Ice Cream Shoppe

The Oneida County Public Works Committee voted May 14 to deny county funding for radar speed signs on County Trunk Highway L near the Windmill Ice Cream Shoppe in the Town of Nokomis.

Highway Commissioner Ben Rich told the committee that the town chair of Nokomis contacted him to request the county install radar speed signs on either side of the Windmill area. Rich said the town had previously updated pedestrian signs and added flags but the chair felt that was insufficient. Rich also reported that the radar signs used by Rhinelander and Lake Tomahawk are no longer WMUTCD compliant and that the County’s standard signage already indicates the speed limit in that location. He added the cost per sign was $3,219 and that two signs were likely to be requested.

Committee member Billy Fried moved, and Bob Almekinder seconded, a motion to deny county funding for the radar signs; the motion carried. The minutes note that if the county declines to pay, the town would likely request permission to install the signs at its own expense.

Why it matters: The decision places the cost burden on the town if it still wishes the signs installed, and the commissioner’s statement about WMUTCD compliance flags a regulatory issue for local municipalities considering similar signs.

Details: The minutes record the commissioner’s recommendation against county funding and the motion to deny. The record does not include supporting documentation about the WMUTCD compliance claim or a roll‑call vote tally; both items were not provided in the minutes.

Next steps: If the town pursues installation at its own cost, it will need county permission and may need to resolve any compliance questions noted by the commissioner.