Walworth County Board of Adjustment met Nov. 11 to hear two variance requests on Geneva Lake properties: one to replace retaining walls close to the ordinary high‑water mark and another to reduce a rear‑yard setback to allow a replacement residence; the second hearing was continued to the next day after discussion and a split vote to adjourn.
Discussion Points
•Applicant argued existing walls are mechanically tied into neighboring walls and replacement in the same footprint is structurally impractical.
•Applicant offered a deed restriction and a commitment to set the house roughly 130 feet from the lake if the variance is granted.
•Applicant proposed added drainage/filter systems to reduce contaminants reaching the lake.
•Attorney argued the lot’s narrow dimensions and cul‑de‑sac orientation create unique property limitations and unnecessary hardship.
•Motion and second to adjourn hearings to the following day.
•One member recorded a 'No' vote; chair declared motion carried.
•Staff described variance request to build retaining walls approximately 3 feet from the ordinary high‑water mark instead of the 75‑foot setback.
•Staff emphasized that drainage/engineering issues will be addressed during permitting and are not dispositive of the variance legal test.
•Supervisor Leith authored supplemental materials expressing opposition to the O'Brien variance based on wetlands and water retention.
•Town of Linn plan commission and board approvals were read into the record for both hearings.
•Town of Linn submitted a letter supporting the variance (plan commission and town board approvals).
•Town of Linn submitted correspondence approving the application 4‑1; one supervisor supplied supplemental materials raising drainage and identified wetlands concerns.
Budget Discussion at November 10, 2026 County Board Of Supervisors
Walworth County meeting approved the 2027 budget appropriation and the first five years of a 10-year capital improvement plan, and set a county tax levy to support the appropriation. The assembly also approved three Human Resources items, including creating a 1.00 FTE special education aide position for Lakeland School and adjustments to 2026 pay ranges.
Discussion Points
•Amendment A adds a C-DEB special education aid on packet page 133.
•Clerk announced Finance Committee recommendation 5-0; motion and second given on the floor.
•Item creates 1.00 FTE special education aide at Lakeland School; requires two-thirds and carried committee approvals.
•Resolution 44-11 authorizes department-level position changes tied to the 2027 budget.
•Resolution 45-11 updates pay-range titles for certain non-represented hourly and exempt employees.
Decisions
•Resolution 44-11 approved
•Resolution 45-11 approved
•Resolution 47-11 approved to adopt 2027 budget and CIP years 1\u0002\u00025
•Resolution 48-11 approved by voice vote
•Resolution 50-11 approved by unanimous-consent motion
Walworth County Board of Supervisors met on Nov. 26 and adopted the 2027 budget and related tax levy, approved several budget and staffing resolutions, accepted a congressional project grant and donations, and heard a public comment urging clarity on whether a COLA will be included in next year’s pay adjustments.
Discussion Points
•An amendment was noted adding a C-DEB special education aid (packet p.133).
•Churchill asked the board to consider making compensation-study increases retroactive to Jan. 2027 if COLA is not granted immediately.
•Employees report uncertainty about whether a COLA will be included in the 2027 budget.
•Measure required two-thirds approval and was recommended by both HR and Finance committees.
•Supervisor asked whether intervention includes lines into the substation; committee member confirmed it does.
Decisions
•Accept community project funding (resolution 51-11-2026)
•Accept donation and authorize budget amendment
•Adopt 2027 budget and CIP (resolution 47-11-2026)
•Authorize counsel to intervene in PSC proceedings involving the Sugar Creek substation
•Delay health-premium share increase and amend budget (resolution 49-11-2026)
•Establish tax levy (resolution 48-11-2026)
•Transition funding distribution (resolution 53-11-2026)
Walworth County held a public budget hearing on Oct. 29, 2026, where Finance Director Jessica Connolly presented the preliminary 2027 budget (spending plan $196.6 million) and explained levy, mill-rate, capital and operational priorities; the hearing was closed for board consideration Nov. 10.
Discussion Points
•CDEV levy increase and capital plan reductions
•Compensation study and market adjustments
•Culvert repair funding proposal via one-time transfer
•Emphasis on levy limits, reserves, capital plan and no-debt stance
•Explanation of equalized values and mill-rate examples
•Five-year capital plan and road program
•LHCC renovation status and potential wing conversion
•Limitations on giving a single tax-bill estimate
•Operational feasibility study pending before any final conversion or major capital commitment
•Personnel cost growth and benefit inflation
•Potential risk to positions if state revenues fall
•Presentation of preliminary 2027 budget and budget dashboard
•Recorded movers and seconders for procedural items; hearing closed at 6:53 p.m.
Decisions
•Public hearing closed; adoption to be considered Nov. 10
Directions
•Children with Disabilities Education Board to provide further direction on some items
•Clerk to note closure and prepare minutes and agenda materials for Nov. 10
•Consultant returns to November HR committee for additional analysis
•County board to review operational feasibility study and predesign before moving forward
•Public directed to budget dashboard for property-specific examples
•Public hearing closed; board to consider adoption Nov. 10
•Recommend board consideration of transfer and long-term maintenance funding
Walworth County Traffic Safety Commission met to review recent fatal crashes, grant results and enforcement, discuss e-bikes/UTV safety and pedestrian studies, hear resident speeding complaints on County D/Bluff Road, and set 2027 meeting dates.
Discussion Points
•Autopsy confirmed crash-related death for at least one decedent; some cases remain under investigation or reconstruction.
•Car-seat event scheduled for Jan. 27 (5–6:30 p.m.) open to community and partners.
•Commissioners debated local ordinances vs. state legislation and the limitations of crash databases for e-bike incidents.
•Conference reported large increases in ER visits for e-bike injuries and highlighted Vision Zero and whole-blood programs.
•Four fatal crashes (dates and locations) and likely contributing factors (failure to yield, speeding, distraction).
•FY2026 spending and enforcement outputs for three grants and tentative FY2027 allocations.
•HSIP grant candidate identification for County E/J; constraints due to grant timelines and construction windows.
•Longstanding speeding concerns on County D with prior speed-trailer deployments and township counters available.
•Need to confirm municipal participation for FY2027.
•Planned social-media education on e-bikes and e-scooters; quarterly toolkits to continue if useful.
•Potential traffic impacts from a proposed 187,000 sq. ft. pet-food processing facility near County 143/120 were raised as a future traffic driver.
•Resident described hazards on Bluff Road: no centerline/shoulders, blind curves, heavy-truck traffic crossing centerline.
•Sheriff's office reported targeted patrols and one citation in area.
•State Highway 89/County A and WIS 20 crash reviews show some corridors may need large‑scale engineering rather than low‑cost fixes; WisDOT did not recommend immediate countermeasures at WIS 20/Powell Ambros based on its review.
Decisions
•Commission asked staff to proceed with outreach and continue toolkits into 2027.
•No final FY2027 budgets approved at meeting; allocations described as pending.
•No formal action taken during meeting; investigations ongoing.
•No grant applications were approved at the meeting; staff to prepare applications in the next cycle.
•No immediate engineering or regulatory action taken; enforcement and data collection to continue.
•No new engineering project or ordinance approved at the meeting.
•No ordinance or county-wide regulatory change adopted at the meeting; focus on education and data collection recommended.
Directions
•Encourage local education, share resources (Wisconsin Bike Federation), and pursue partnerships with FCCLA and Children's Wisconsin for outreach.
•Monitor reconstruction findings and consider enforcement or engineering changes if warranted.
•Public health to finalize flyers and social-media toolkit and share with commission staff for distribution.
•Staff to continue data collection (speed trailers, township counters) and share with commission.
•Staff to continue monitoring crash data, pursue HSIP applications where countermeasures and benefit-cost cases exist, and coordinate with municipalities for right-of-way and project planning.
•Staff to continue outreach to municipal partners and report final participation/allocations at next meeting.
•Staff to gather and share speed-trailer/traffic-counter data with the commission and continue enforcement coordination with the sheriff's office.
Budget Discussion at October 22, 2026 Finance Committee
Finance committee reviewed the draft 2027 preliminary budget, discussed a staff transfer and budget highlights (sheriff, government center), previewed a dashboard and strategic plan website, and recommended adding a special-education aide for a tuition student by voice vote.
Discussion Points
•Department heads ask supervisors to work collaboratively and early to prepare for 2028
•Funding plan: tuition revenue mid-year plus fund balance for 2027
•Future increases expected to stabilize at ~3%
•Maintenance costs for Raycom system have increased due to new towers and equipment
•Noted personnel transfer from Clerk of Courts to HHS affecting the budget
•Offer to provide guided tours of the site to supervisors
•Preview of dashboard and strategic plan website layout and content
•Proposal to add aide for a tuition-based IEP student at Lakeland School
•Proposal to convene a committee of the whole in March for 2028 budget preparatory work
•Use dashboard and committee-of-the-whole as tools to study options
Decisions
•Committee recommended the amendment by voice vote
Directions
•Staff to continue refining the site and highlight materials after public hearing
•Staff to follow up with which partner agencies will join the project and report back
•Staff to include amendment in packet for finance committee vote and finalize during budget adoption
•Staff to prepare materials and schedule for committee-of-the-whole if board supports the March target
•Staff to prepare materials for the committee of the whole if the board supports the March target
Walworth County Finance Committee reviewed and approved the preliminary 2027 budget, several budget amendments including a special-education aide at Lakeland School, multiple resolutions (including the 2027 appropriation and capital improvement plan), procurement recommendations, ARPA project updates and several grant and donation acceptances during its Oct. 22 meeting in the County Boardroom.
Discussion Points
•Budget highlights: sheriff's office costs, government center study, funding control limits
•Call for March committee-of-the-whole to begin 2028 planning
•CDEP committee had recommended approval.
•Incumbent OPEB advisor won multiple RFPs; arrangement includes money-market credits.
•No committee members raised questions about individual fees.
•Ordinance 11-26 proposes fee schedule amendments in section 30-286.
•Public Works prequalified emergency mitigation vendors to enable a faster post-event response.
•This aide supports a tuition-based student with an IEP; county will partially fund the position in 2027 until tuition revenue is received.
Decisions
•Committee approved ordinance and forwarded it.
•Committee recommended the amendment be included in the 2027 budget
•Forwarded preliminary 2027 budget and resolutions to County Board
•Procurement items approved by voice vote.
Directions
•Forward ordinance to County Board in packet.
•Staff to bring annual reissuance to committee and monitor contract performance.
•Staff to include the amendment in the 2027 budget packet for County Board adoption.
•Staff to prepare materials and dashboard walkthrough; present government center study draft by late June
Walworth County Health & Human Services Board discussed childcare capacity and intergenerational care options, approved several grant applications and acceptances (including supplemental behavioral health awards and a Title V youth mental-health grant application), reviewed billing write-offs tied to an EHR transition, and approved routine minutes and agendas.
Discussion Points
•County engaged NetSmart AMS support to troubleshoot and improve workflows.
•Grant has 60% local match but staff said allowable overmatch from base MCH grant removes need for additional levy.
•Grant seeks $45,000 annually to expand adolescent mental‑health engagement via PATCH program.
•Public comment urging intergenerational childcare (Maddie Sweetman) citing 2,700‑slot gap and $77,000,000 economic deficit.
Walworth County Human Resources Committee met Oct. 21, 2026, approved four personnel-related resolutions including creation of a 1.00 FTE special education aide at Lakeland School, approved annual position changes tied to the 2027 budget, adopted pay-range adjustments for select nonrepresented positions, and delayed an employee premium increase for four months while amending funding. Committee also heard an update on the county classification and compensation study and scheduled a fuller presentation for November.
Discussion Points
•Clerk described amendment not in packet that will add the special education aide to the 2027 budget and explained funding mix due to school billing cycles.
•Committee agreed to delay premium change to allow completion of classification and compensation work and to avoid implementing premium increases before pay-plan changes are in effect.
•Committee approved addition now with formal budget amendment to follow.
•Committee approved authorization for the listed changes.
•Committee approved the additions and reclassifications to 2026 pay ranges.
•Committee may provide recommendation on the amendment ahead of county board consideration.
•Members discussed possible scenarios if the pay study completes earlier than expected and administrative options.
•Staff explained funding mix: tuition revenue plus fund balance to cover partial year timing.
•Staff explained titles are brought separately because the pay study is in progress.
•Staff presented departmental lists showing effects of 2027 budget on positions (page 9 onward).
•Staff previewed forthcoming consultant materials including hybrid plans and market percentile costings.
•Vice chair requested additional detail on pros/cons and implementation implications.
Decisions
•No committee-level vote on the amendment; information provided for awareness and follow-up.
•Resolution No. 11-26 approved for position changes
•Resolution No. 11-26 approved to add positions to 2026 pay ranges.
•Resolution No. 11-26 approved to create the 1.00 FTE special education aide
•Resolution to delay employee premium increase approved and budget amended to transfer reserves to health insurance fund.
•Schedule Nov. 18 meeting for consultant presentation.
Directions
•Attend or view Nov. presentation; staff to circulate updates and Friday updates.
•Finalize full pay tables after Cottingham & Butler's reports in November and January.
•Include the position in Nov. 10 county board amendment and notify finance/CDEP boards.
•Prepare and circulate budget amendment for review prior to Nov. 10 county board meeting.
•Proceed with incorporating position changes into budget and forward to finance as appropriate.
•Staff to coordinate communications to employees and to work with finance on the budget transfer.
October 21, 2026 Lakeland Health Care Center Board of Trustees
Lakeland Health board met Oct. 21 to approve agenda items and minutes, approve two resolutions (one to designate $4.3M to Lakeland Healthcare Center internal building/equipment reserves and one to accept a $1,000,000 congressionally directed community project grant), hear a social services presentation that included the retirement announcement of Mel Davis and the introduction of new admissions coordinator Kelly Fuller, review operating risks after the state denied an NSGO Medicaid add-on (projected ~$345,000 impact for 2027), and receive business activity and hiring updates.
Discussion Points
•Admissions numbers (163 admitted; 139 discharged) and census data (88 average on meeting day).
•August business activity details: call-ins, overtime, one injury, and payer mix shift toward Medicare.
•Finance reported $2.8M available plus $1.5M pandemic fund totaling $4.3M to designate to building/equipment internal allowances.
•Mel Davis will retire in January after 33 years; team composition and recent hires discussed.
•Projected $345,000 deficit for 2027 if conditions do not change; budget assumed the add-on.
•Public Works summarized the grant and recommended acceptance.
•State denied NSGO add-on for current fiscal year; add-on had been $37 per Medicaid resident per day.
Decisions
•Resolution to designate $4.3M to internal allowances was approved by voice vote.
•The board approved acceptance of the $1,000,000 grant by voice vote.
Directions
•Finance will take the item up at tomorrow's meeting for further action.
•Staff to effect a short overlap transition (overfill) to ensure continuity.
•Staff to monitor and report back on status throughout the year; focus on census management as mitigation.
October 21, 2026 Children with Disabilities Education Board
The Walworth County Children with Disabilities Education Board met Oct. 21, 2026, and discussed the 2027 preliminary budget (including a proposed paraprofessional addition), a cabinet-and-lock CIP for Lakeland School, two budget resolutions (a 0.1 FTE special education aid position and a $1.36M reclassification of reserves), policy reviews, staffing changes, enrollment updates and school reports.
Discussion Points
•Authority for some decisions defaults to sending districts because Lakeland is a placement option.
•Board supportive but mindful of budget constraints and phasing other projects.
•Breakdown: operating contingency ($300,000 target including $100,000 already in 2027 budget), projected 2026 revenue shortfall (~$448,000), budgeted 2027 uses (~$138,000).
•Contractor quote ~$168,000 for initial scope (excl. fees/contingency).
•Enrollment at 126; potential four incoming Walworth County tuition students.
•First reading of required policies including homeless students, military children, and foster care.
•Incoming tuition students may require additional 1:1 paraprofessionals.
•No opposition voiced at committee-level vote.
•Paraprofessional needed for a tuition student requiring 1:1 support.
•Per-lock and per-cabinet estimates provided (~$100 per lock; ~$642 per cabinet including install).
•Principal Smith reported positive visits from Kenyan educators and described family engagement plans.
•Proposal to key cabinet locks to classroom door keys to reduce extra keys for teachers.
•Replacement already hired and will start soon.
•Resignation by Stephanie Musha accepted; Musha pursued and obtained an administration position.
•Resolution aligns with prior budget amendment discussion.
•Resolution reclassifies $1,360,000 of reserves; does not authorize new spending.
•Scope reduced to six classrooms to control costs; potential phased implementation.
•Timing issue: tuition payments arrive at school year end so fund balance would be used temporarily.
Decisions
•Committee voted to recommend amendments to finance.
•Resignation accepted by voice vote.
•Resolution approved by voice vote.
Directions
•Committee recommended forwarding the amendment and CIP changes to the finance committee.
•Implement reclassification and monitor revenue, salary savings and categorical aid payments.
•Monitor enrollment and staffing needs; staff to continue reporting enrollment changes.
•Proceed with onboarding replacement.
•Proceed with standard hiring and budget steps to implement the position.
•Recommend amendments to finance for inclusion in 2027 preliminary budget.
•Staff to return with second reading and highlight any items requiring closer attention.
•Staff to work with Public Works to finalize scope and procurement options and report back.
Budget Discussion at October 19, 2026 Executive Committee
Walworth County executive committee heard a presentation from Sheriff Dave Gerber on the Sheriff's Office preliminary 2027 budget, covering payroll and non-payroll increases, jail population growth, technology and radio-system costs, squad car reductions and range maintenance. Committee members asked questions about inmate population, range fees and proposed a standing monthly departmental report; the sheriff said he is retiring at year-end.
Discussion Points
•Inmate population increased from ~175 to ~222 daily average; this is increasing food/medical/linen costs.
•Proposal to add standing departmental reports to committee agendas; Gerber offered transitional presentations in November and December.
•Raycom maintenance rise due to expanded number of towers; Axon and ProPhoenix add specific dollar increases.
•Reduce squad replacements from 10 to 7; reduce per-unit cost from $100,000 to $95,000; estimated savings $335,000.
•Sheriff presented payroll and non‑payroll increases and noted funded studies that may prompt future requests.
Directions
•Staff to keep general reports informational and itemize deep discussions if action is warranted.
Walworth County Executive Committee met Oct. 19 to hear public comment and take action on transmission-line concerns, review the sheriff's preliminary 2027 budget, consider WCA steering-committee representation, accept a K-9 donation, and receive a housing strategy update.
Discussion Points
•Acceptance of a non-cash K-9 donation and authorization of budget amendments.
•Committee cited statute for closed session and listed specific claims and incidents to be discussed in closed session.
•Counsel outlined regulatory pathways (certificate of authority vs CPCN) and the limited local authority over certificate-of-authority issues.
•Non-payroll increases include Raycom maintenance, inmate medical services, software (Axon, PowerDMS), and range maintenance.
•Partnerships with national and local builders, Habitat for Humanity, lenders, school-district land proposals and student participation in construction.
•Public concerns centered on farmland impacts, substations acreage, and transparency of route selection.
•Residents and supervisors urged swift county action and contact with state legislators and WCA.
•Routine consent approvals including mileage and expense claims.
•Staffing cost increases driven by wage/step/COLA adjustments and overtime.
•Status of project pipelines (Genoa City, Delavan, Whitewater) and barriers (infrastructure, zoning, road work).
Decisions
•Committee authorized counsel to intervene; motion carried by voice vote.
•Donation acceptance approved; consent items approved by voice vote.
•Motion to disallow item A and proceed on items B and C carried; committee adjourned.
•No binding county approvals recorded at the committee; projects remain in development or on hold pending municipal approvals.
•No new full-time positions requested for 2027; committee accepted budget overview and will consider line items in subsequent budget process.
Directions
•Alliance to continue partnering with municipalities, lenders and builders and provide further program specifics to supervisors.
•Corporation counsel to pursue interventions where appropriate and coordinate with WCA and DATCP; staff to encourage residents to submit affidavits/letters to PSC dockets; supervisors to increase outreach to legislators and stakeholders.
•Proceed in closed session and follow recommendations of counsel as recorded.
•Sheriff's office to provide donation documentation for budget amendments.
•Sheriff to provide further detail on Raycom costs and range status; committee to consider monthly general reports from departments moving forward.
Walworth County Public Works Committee met Oct. 19 to consider routine approvals and reports, heard that a $4.3M STP grant for County Highway B was denied, reviewed e-bike safety options (education vs. ordinance), approved several CIP actions including a dive-boat scope change and a comprehensive-plan update start, and accepted community project funding.
Discussion Points
•Accepting the grant would position the county to proceed when issues are resolved.
•Captain Skiva described the operational need for retaining the old pontoon and estimated potential surplus sale proceeds (~$5,000).
•Change order #11 was presented and approved to allow closeout and recognize scope changes.
•Committee discussed storage constraints and existing CIP funds for expansion.
•DNR may reimburse up to $5,000 for White River Trail cleanup; county incurred about $3,000 in costs.
October 19, 2026 Land Conservation Committee (LCC)
Walworth County Land Conservation Committee met Oct. 19, 2026 to hear updates on short-term rental licensing and complaints, the wildlife damage (crop damage) program, a student conservation poster contest theme, and a pulled-forward capital project to update the county comprehensive land use plan for 2029.
Discussion Points
•Committee discussed practical and legal limits to enforcing the 7‑day family exemption.
•Farmers and committee members described planting forage plots and other non‑reimbursement tactics to reduce deer pressure.
•Members shared an anecdote of a serious case that resolved by property sale rather than license revocation.
•Plan requires a 10‑year update by June 2029; staff will fund and begin the update in 2026 using departmental vacancy savings.
•Procedural motions to approve agenda and prior minutes; next meeting date set.
•Staff announced theme and schedule; committee praised past presentations and encouraged outreach to teachers and FFA.
•Staff presented licensing history (2018 initial 61 licenses; projected ~340–350 total in 2026–27).
•Staff proposed adding significant or recurring short‑term rental complaints to the county zoning complaints table for monthly reporting and an annual summary.
•Staff reached out to consultant transcribed as 'SUREPAC' to prepare the update and will use regional vision data for population and housing.
•Staff reported two alleged short‑term rental complaints (East Troy; Town of Walworth) and one active citation; photographic evidence was insufficient so far.
Decisions
•Agenda and minutes approved; meeting adjourned.
•Funding for the plan update will be covered in 2026 via a capital improvement project funded by vacancy savings; no further action taken at this meeting.
•No changes to ordinances or staffing were approved.
•No change to county enrollment was decided at the meeting.
•No formal vote; informational item.
•No ordinance changes or enforcement hires were approved at this meeting; committee endorsed improved tracking and an annual report.
Directions
•None formalized; committee asked staff to log significant complaints and report annually.
•Staff to continue outreach to art, ag and science teachers and to proceed with announced schedule.
•Staff to include abatement recommendations and enrollment guidance for producers.
•Staff to share calendar of milestones and chapter review dates when available; committee asked to be notified and to review chapters as they are ready.
•Staff to start logging substantial or recurring short‑term rental complaints in the county zoning agency's complaints table and provide an annual update after summer season.
October 19, 2026 Agriculture & Extension Education Committee
Walworth County Agriculture Extension Education Committee reviewed the 2027 preliminary budget and a draft UW Extension contract, heard program reports (4‑H, dairy, human development, horticulture), agreed to circulate a county leadership engagement survey, and recessed for a scheduled tour of the UW Extension office and cell‑phone coverage update.
Discussion Points
•$10,000 contract discount remains
•Additional 'Reentry Ready' sessions and regional virtual planning
•Agenda and minutes approval
•CE credits increased webinar participation
•Deadline and acceptable late returns
•Explore 4‑H Night turnout and enrollment numbers
•FoodWIse program removed from contract due to funding elimination
•Library program 'Replanting after the Storm' responding to July storm damage
•Master Gardener outreach activities
•New independent living curriculum (Life Skills Launchpad)
•Nov. 5 reproduction and crossbreeding event in Jefferson County
•Recess and site reconvene time
•Regional educators' fees divided among counties
•Spanish webinar series participation (approx. 500 registered)
Walworth County Board of Adjustment held a meeting on Oct. 14, 2026 to hear three shoreland setback variance requests, cancel one hearing for lack of applicant appearance, and recess to continue final deliberations the following day.
Discussion Points
•Applicant argued the site is preexisting and constrained; owner provided medical documentation of full disability.
•Applicant described a roughly 2-foot deck extension and covered roof to improve shade and usability; existing deck is nonconforming and in disrepair.
•Applicants for the Licata hearing did not appear and had not contacted staff to postpone; staff reviewed the letter procedure.
•Board members noted the process and rare occurrence of nonappearance.
•Builder argued elevator is the least-impactful accommodation compared with a ramp.
•Commissioners asked about current accessibility and code applicability (ADA vs. Fair Housing/State barrier codes).
•Staff read neighbor and town letters supporting the variance and noted planning commission and town board unanimous recommendations.
Decisions
•Hearing closed; decision deferred to continuation meeting.
•Hearing closed; no vote taken at this session.
•Motion to cancel carried by voice vote.
Directions
•Board recessed and will take final action on the variance at the next meeting.
•Board recessed to deliberate and vote at a continuation meeting.
•Hearing canceled; applicants must restart the process to reschedule.
Walworth County Board of Supervisors met Oct. 13, 2026; the board approved a resolution authorizing county counsel to intervene in Public Service Commission proceedings about the Becky 765 kV transmission project (including amendments limiting nondisclosure language), adopted shoreland and floodplain zoning ordinances, approved several personnel and grant items, heard a historical presentation, and received public comment on water protections.
Discussion Points
•Agency recommended changes to enable state‑mandated shoreland and floodplain updates to be administered in standalone ordinances.
•Board approved HR recommendations with committee endorsements.
•Committee recommended DNR grant application to support lake monitoring and protection.
•Debate over striking language permitting nondisclosure agreements and whether to instead insert Reeve's language as an addition.
•Estimates presented for substation acreage and concerns about notice and land acquisition.
•Need for county participation in PSC dockets; concern county lacked prior notice of project; resource constraints for hiring health experts versus legal counsel.
•Presentation of Allen's biography and settlement history.
•Public comment requested proactive municipal water protections and suggested specific regulatory measures.
•Requests for funding of independent health and safety research; skepticism about relying solely on company information.
•Speaker offered to assist with research and implementation.
•Support for exceptions to help local companies; concerns about broad definitions of navigable waters and impervious surface restrictions.
Decisions
•Board adopted resolution authorizing counsel to intervene in PSC proceedings, as amended; Holt amendment passed 6–5; final resolution carried with two nays.
•Board approved recommendation; staff to proceed.
•Creation of nurse manager position and approval of other HR items.
•No technical determinations made during meeting; board authorized legal intervention and will consider research funding later.
•Ordinances adopted; clerk recorded two nays on first ordinance (Joe and Joanne).
Directions
•Adopt ordinance language as read; zoning agency to implement and update code.
•Board to consider funding and strategy separately (possible executive committee referral).
•Corporation Counsel to pursue intervention as authorized; assess funding and approach for any outside expert work; report back with proposed goals and budget implications.
•Departments to implement position changes and update payroll/records.
•Land Conservation staff to prepare and submit grant application.
Public meeting in Walworth County to hear residents and candidates on the proposed Bell Center–Sugar Creek ("Becky") 765 kV transmission project; speakers urged the county to adopt a resolution to intervene at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission and to reserve funds for legal and technical review.
Discussion Points
•Candidates highlighted legal and policy drivers for the project and questioned its necessity.
•Corporation counsel confirmed a drafted resolution authorizing intervention is scheduled for consideration at 5:00 p.m.
•Corporation counsel described a drafted resolution to seek intervener status before the PSC and outlined board options.
•Farmers described visual, economic and soil impacts of the proposed line.
•Health and biodiversity concerns were raised but not substantiated with studies in the hearing.
•Multiple candidates and residents voiced opposition to the Becky/765 kV project, citing farmland, health, and legal concerns.
•Multiple speakers requested the county reserve $10,000–$20,000 for legal and technical representation to support intervention at the PSC.
•Speakers reported local petition support and urged a county resolution opposing the route.
•Speakers requested safety and environmental evidence from the developer.
•Speakers requested the county reserve funds for legal and technical representation to support intervention.
•Speakers tied data-center tax incentives to the proposed transmission demand.
Decisions
•Adjourned the 4:00 listening session; formal action on the draft resolution deferred to the 5:00 meeting.
Directions
•Board will consider the drafted resolution at 5:00 p.m.; members were advised not to discuss substance between sessions to avoid open-meetings violations.
•Citizens were invited to submit written questions to Mid Continent Grid Solutions.
A county Department of Health and Human Services civil rights compliance training covering protected classes, key federal and state laws, data collection and public-notice requirements, interpreter and accommodation rules, complaint timelines, and monitoring/enforcement procedures.
Discussion Points
•CLAS Standards themes
•Definition of LEP and rights to interpretation
•Demographic data fields to collect
•Internal and external complaint filing channels
•List of covered program areas and program examples
•List of relevant federal and state statutes
•Named internal coordinator Lisa Kadlik
•Posting nondiscrimination and language-access notices
•Rules on family interpreters and minors
•Statutory timelines for filing and investigation
•Training scope and requirement for staff receiving federal funds
