Executive Committee Meeting, 4:00 PM, November 12, 2026
The Bayfield County Executive Committee packet for its November 12, 2026 meeting includes land‑sale decisions (extensions, completions, potential reversions), a CheqBUILT quarterly report, a request from the Bayfield Harbor Commission for a support letter and small pledge, EDA grant outreach, social‑media benchmarking, cost‑recovery ordinance implementation work, DOE facility energy projects, a mineral‑rights recertification update and budget/financial reports through Oct. 31, 2026.
Discussion Points
•2027 budget used one‑time funds and vacancy savings adding about $1.5M; 2027 nursing‑home bond retirement (~$450k) could be used for borrowing to manage operational costs.
•Capital improvements list ~ $5.7M with most funding from grants/borrowing/carryover.
•Commission requests letter of support and small pledge ($500–$1,000) to strengthen grant applications.
•Completion verification for Tax ID 10384 and requirement to apply for lottery credit before Quit Claim Deed.
•Contractor incident where brick fell off a pallet damaged a portion of the sally‑port roof.
•EDA grants may cover up to 60% of public infrastructure costs for business development; funding window through June 2027.
•Extension request for Tax ID 32840 to June 11, 2027; only remaining work is porch/stairs reconstruction.
•Extraction of ~1,550 legal‑description entries from the county's 2007 mineral claim record (about 1,390 distinct document numbers).
•Fannie Mae approval allows conventional lending for CLT properties.
•General Fund department 00 at ~75% of revenues and 91% of expenditures; sales tax $40k above prior year with $600k anticipated by year end.
•Ordinance gives administration discretion in distributing costs.
•Planned acquisitions in Iron River and Washburn and continuing grant/fundraising efforts.
•Planned use of GIS, PLSS and recorded surveys to map claims to current parcels and store references in NOVUS.
•Project estimate ~$5.2M; roughly $900k secured; $2.4M still needed.
•Reversion notice and certified letter to owners of Tax ID 3377; unverified status and outreach attempts for Tax ID 38874.
•September and October metrics show high posting frequency and above‑median engagement; Infrastructure & Planning and Business & Economic Development performed strongly.
•Sheriff's Office currently bills deputy time but fringe benefits (~20%) are excluded for local events.
•Staff consider replacing the entire 20+‑year rubber membrane rather than piecemeal repairs.
Directions
•Committee to note financial reports and continue 2028 planning, with a follow‑up budget meeting scheduled.
•County communications may maintain cadence and emphasize high‑performing content; consider adding Health & Wellness and Public Safety posts.
•County staff asked supervisors to forward project ideas to administration.
•County to consider adding a pledge amount to a letter of support if feasible.
•County to note CheqBUILT's report and consider coordination on the Aurora Place redevelopment.
•Land Records to proceed with mapping, verification and NOVUS linkage to current parcel numbers.
•Staff to bring a fuller report on proposed uses of one‑time funds and levy distribution ideas.
•Staff to continue discussions with the contractor and return with repair cost and funding recommendations.
•Staff to present a full implementation report at the next meeting.
•Staff to require lottery credit and record Quit Claim Deed upon verification.
•Staff to send certified notice of pending reversion for parcels where owners do not proceed.
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors packet for the Nov. 10, 2026 meeting includes an ERP software update, several recognition resolutions, a draft and updated resolution calling on state agencies to act on Enbridge Line 5 reroute concerns, a joint County-Tribal law enforcement plan and grant application with the Red Cliff Tribe, budget amendments including a $96,633 carryover for Northern Lights projects and an estimated $25,000 maintenance garage floor repair, and items related to possible purchase of the Pigeon Lake Field Station.
Discussion Points
•Carryover of $96,633 in Northern Lights encumbrances from 2025 to 2026
•Chart of accounts conversion and mapping of grants/projects into Project & Grant Accounting
•Closed-session negotiation authority under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(e)
•Continuation of $5,500 cost share and mutual operational goals
•Implementation schedule for remaining modules and June 2027 user training
•Maintenance garage floor repair estimated at $25,000 with repair scope described
•Packet includes prior draft, updated draft, and staff recommendation for revised language
•Residents and board members requested stronger language and tribal input on the draft resolution
•Staff directed to notify Board of Commissioners of Public Lands and UW Board of Regents and finish negotiations subject to formal approval
•Targets for staffing, information sharing, training and annual reporting
•Whether the county will use purchase orders and whether AP will be centralized or initiated at department level
Directions
•Staff to provide written notice and finalize negotiations
Ad Hoc EMS Advisory Committee Meeting on Tuesday, November 10th, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. will be in the EOC. The virtual meeting link is available in the attached agenda.
Bayfield County Ad Hoc EMS Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet November 10, 2026, to review 2026 EMS call-volume data and discuss a report that Northwood Tech plans to limit EMT class enrollment to 35 students college-wide, among other committee business.
Discussion Points
•Geographic concentration in Washburn City and Red Cliff Reservation (35% of calls).
•Mutual‑aid frequency (339 calls, 19%) and agency reliance patterns (e.g., South Shore EMS 44% assists).
•Northwood Tech's communicated cap of 35 students college‑wide.
•Rationale tied to limited clinical placements and the school's choice not to require ER contacts for EMT Basic.
Remote & In-Person Children's COP Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda 11/10/2026 at 10 a.m. in the Lake Michigan Conference Room
Bayfield County Department of Human Services is scheduled to host the Children’s Community Options Program & Coordinated Services Team Advisory Committee on Nov. 10, 2026, to review a Children’s Long-Term Support enrollment report and begin a Children’s System of Care self-assessment with state staff present.
Discussion Points
•CSOC Self-Assessment documentation and tool provided; Wisconsin DHS coordinators to join the discussion.
•Program enrollment reported as 58 enrolled with 9 referrals; provided for committee review.
The Bayfield County Forestry & Parks Committee is scheduled to meet November 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the County Board Room in Washburn to review 2026 timber sale results, consider multiple potential land acquisitions (including a 277‑acre Pratt Rd. parcel), and receive monthly forestry, parks and trails reports including budget and grant updates.
Discussion Points
•Anticipated net operating forestry deficit of $800k–$900k when accounting for expense savings and other returns.
•Carbon project activity with ANEW and referenced potential sale of ~100,000 older‑vintage credits.
•DNR partnership interest in wetland restoration on the Pratt Rd. parcel and potential for DNR to cover most acquisition and all restoration costs.
•East Rim Dual Use Area planning involves multiple partners to allow both silent sports and snowmobile use.
•October stumpage receipts: just over $173,000; three‑year October average $330,000.
•Public input sessions for Topside Lake (Oct. 8) and Big Rock/Fire Hill (Oct. 15) with small public attendance but staff‑reported approval of concept plans.
•Range Rd/FR500 project could be suited for Community Forest funds but requires an equal match and an early‑December grant deadline.
•Ski Hill Rd. parcel is under consideration by Ashwabay Alliance as it navigates operational shortfalls.
•Trail reroute negotiations with private landowners outside Washburn and verbal permissions from four landowners for a new ~3.5‑mile trail segment into Port Wing; signed agreements pending.
•YTD stumpage receipts about $2.34 million; projected year end ~ $2.7 million and roughly $1.0 million under stumpage revenue budget.
Ad Hoc Business Park Planning Committee, 10:00 AM, November 4, 2026
The Bayfield County Ad Hoc Business Park Planning Committee is scheduled to meet Nov. 4, 2026, to discuss completion of Arganbright Road and future road planning, an overview of current business occupants and marketing, and replacement of a deteriorating Business Park sign with vendor estimates attached.
Discussion Points
•Packet includes two vendor estimates ($18,544 and $19,990) and design mockups; zoning review advises a 14-foot maximum height and 200-square-foot maximum single-side area.
•Packet records a five-year lease with Xcel Energy described as a staging yard; lease expires June 2028 and the county receives $15,000/year for 12 acres.
•Staff indicated intention to pursue DOT funding for paving Arganbright Road but provided no cost estimate in the packet.
•Staff presented maps and photos showing detention pond and access points; staff said pond sized for about 180 acres and that 100 acres remain available for development.
•Staff provided maps and photos of the roughly 180-acre Business Park and described current occupants and infrastructure.
•Vendor documentation notes customer responsibility for permits and that a signed estimate and deposit are required before work proceeds.
Bayfield County Board Meeting 6:00 PM, October 27, 2026
Bayfield County Board is scheduled to hold a public budget hearing and consider the 2027 budget and levy on October 27, 2026, with several related resolutions, budget amendments and an appointment of a county medical examiner on the agenda.
Discussion Points
•Draft cites reported incidents associated with the Line 5 reroute project — aquifer breach, spills and wetland violations — and urges heightened monitoring and spill prevention.
•Draft requests distribution to governor, DNR, Attorney General and Bad River and Red Cliff tribal councils.
•Executive Committee reviewed and recommended the budget with attached modifications totaling $213,892 and a $28,000 reduction in fund balance.
•Health Committee reported concerns about unstable state public-health funding and forwarded a resolution advocating for increased and flexible state support.
•Packet describes $3.2 million in short-term borrowing allocated to highway ($2.4M), IT ($700k) and Northern Lights ($100k).
•Program description: $100 starter deposit for newborns, additional $100 for WIC participants; Northern State Bank supports the program.
•Resolution converts previously elected coroner system to appointed medical examiner and names Tom Renz as the recommended appointee; bond and statutory duties are specified.
•Tribal County Relations Committee will take up the CTLE grant and share action results with the board.
Regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Thursday, October 22, at 4 p.m. An in-person and remote hearing and meeting will originate in the EOC of the Bayfield County Courthouse Annex.
The Bayfield County Department of Human Services Board was scheduled to meet Oct. 22, 2026, to hear a WHEAP presentation, review monthly section and financial reports (including detailed 2026 budget monitoring totaling $8,618,346), and consider appointing Jo Beth Gonzalez as the county's Intoxicated Driver Program designated coordinator.
Discussion Points
•Packet recommends appointment and documents candidate’s completion of IDP training.
•Review of updated 2026 budget monitoring tables for Fund 235 showing revenue and expense totals and YTD figures.
•Statutory citations and administrative-code definitions of the coordinator role provided.
October 13, 2026, An in-person meeting of the Joint Regional & Bayfield County Comprehensive Community Services Coordination Committees with a remote option will take place in Washburn on October 13th, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. See the agenda for details.. Minutes
The Regional CCS Coordination Committee met Oct. 13, 2026 in Bayfield County to review policy updates including DOJ web-accessibility requirements, vendor list changes, a mileage reimbursement increase, outreach and enrollment reporting, and to appoint a vice chair; minutes were approved and future meeting dates set.
Discussion Points
•Archived content created prior to April 2024 may qualify for an exception.
•Bayfield will establish a local Program Administrator in 2027.
•Billing and QA will remain shared between the two counties.
•Committee set future meeting schedule for 2027.
•Credentials and company name changes noted.
•DOJ rule requires web accessibility by April 2028.
•Membership updates and chair/vice-chair roles were described and recorded.
•Outreach at the BRICK is effective; work continues with Red Cliff.
•Request to add enrollment-comparison table to CCS Administrator report.
•Transportation route planning may be needed where MTM is insufficient.
•Travel policy clarified: provider personal stops are non-billable and must be deducted from CCS notes.
•Vendor list deletions and additions recorded.
Decisions
•Members agreed to proposed contract addendum language allowing purchaser to end services for compliance concerns.
•Minutes approved; Ovaska appointed vice chair.
Directions
•Bayfield staff to implement local administrator role beginning in 2027.
•Follow-up to explore transportation committee options in Ashland County.
•Staff to add an enrollment comparison table to future program reports.
•Update CCS Plan and public-facing documents for compliance.
•Update vendor lists and public records accordingly.
October 07, 2026, Family and Behavioral Health Services Advisory Committee Meeting Information for 10/07/2026 at 10:00 a.m. In-person & remote attendance options available. See agenda for details. . Minutes
At its Oct. 7, 2026 meeting, the Bayfield County Family & Behavioral Health Services Advisory Committee reviewed kinship and foster care processes and recruitment, heard program updates on the Community Support Program caseload and an Emergency Detention Workgroup, and noted a county-supported Moral Reconation Therapy group and 2027 meeting dates.
Discussion Points
•Bayfield County has approximately twelve individuals participating in CSP (Anderson).
•Bayfield MRT group meets Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. and is supported by grant funding (Patterson).
•Behavioral Health staff participated in an Emergency Detention Workgroup at Tamarack Hospital (Anderson).
•Community members who may benefit should contact MaryBeth at Genesis for services.
•CSP provides intensive community-based services for adults with serious mental illness (Anderson).
•Licensing steps: home study, walkthroughs, paperwork, training (Anderson).
•Outreach partnership recommended with Chamber of Commerce (Patterson).
•Process typically takes several months to about one year (Anderson).
•Providers receive $384/month subsidy for both voluntary kinship and court-ordered placements (Anderson).
•Respite providers needed; they require background checks but not full foster licensing (Anderson).
•State has simplified licensing for relative caregivers (Anderson).
•The 'like kin' designation has been expanded and will be screened for validity (Anderson).
•The workgroup aims to strengthen communication, identify barriers, and recognize successful collaboration.
September 29, 2026, Bayfield County Board Meeting, 6:00 PM, September 29, 2026. Minutes
Bayfield County Board held its monthly meeting on Sept. 29, 2026, approving a slate of resolutions and ordinances (including a temporary moratorium on large-scale data centers placed on the consent agenda), unanimously authorizing a $3.2 million promissory note, advancing public-safety and housing grants, and creating an ad hoc EMS advisory committee.
Discussion Points
•Administrator presented a revised resolution and provided revisions to members before the vote.
•Committee purpose clarified: overview of EMS system and not responsible for allocation of funds.
•Director Coy discussed the funding source for the grant.
•EMPSA funding formula, eligible uses in 2027, award calculation rationale and participant requirements were explained.
•Many items were approved via consent agenda; several individual resolutions and appointments were approved separately.
•Resolution amended intergovernmental payment and reconciliation procedures.
•Three public commenters urged a moratorium on large-scale data centers and removal of county funding for Flock cameras.
•Westlund described how the low-income tax credit application process works.
Decisions
•Amendatory Ordinance 2026-12 was included on and approved via the consent agenda.
•EMPSA approved and ad hoc EMS Advisory Committee established with four named appointees.
•Multiple unanimous approvals recorded; all recorded votes listed as Yes-13; No-0.
•Resolution 2026-88 approved; debt service account to be created.
•Resolution 2026-89 approved; grant to be included in the 2026 budget.
•Resolution 2026-91 approved unanimously.
•Resolution 2026-92 approved to support WHEDA applications.
Directions
•Add PSAP Director Ryan Matthews as a voting committee member.
September 24, 2026, September 24, 2026 Board of Adjustment Meeting Documents. Minutes
Bayfield County Board of Adjustment met for a public hearing agenda on Sept. 24, 2026, to consider multiple variance requests including a shoreline/driveway variance for Misty Mornings LLC and setback variances for Christopher and Karna Ruemmele; the agenda also listed an older postponed case and a possible closed-session motion on litigation strategy.
Discussion Points
•Accessibility and permit notices for attendees and applicants.
•Agenda prescribes hearing steps but records no outcome.
•Agenda schedules swearing in of witnesses and testimony from proponents and opponents.
•Applicant requests reduction of ordinary high‑water mark setback from 75 ft to 0 ft under county ordinance.
•Applicant requests to construct a 12' x 130' driveway to access the property and potential residential structure.
•Board member discussion and review/approval of minutes from July 30 and Sept. 11, 2026.
•Item was postponed from July 30, 2026; agenda does not record whether it will be taken up or decided at this meeting.
•Potential closed session under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(g) to discuss litigation strategy with counsel.
•Proposal for a detached garage with loft measuring 26' x 42' (including overhangs).
•Proposal to construct a 1,906 sq ft residence and install a holding tank and driveway extension on a 0.87-acre lot.
•Requested reduction of stream setback to 35 feet instead of 75 feet.
•Requested reductions: private road centerline setback to 28' (vs. 40'); wetlands setback to 6'6" (vs. 25'); OHWM setback to 6'6" (vs. 75').
Decisions
•Decision not specified in agenda
•No closed‑session action or outcome recorded in agenda
•Postponed (from July 30, 2026); current meeting outcome not specified
Directions
•If Board takes action on cases, applicants still must secure land‑use permits from Planning and Zoning before construction.
September 14, 2026, Forestry & Parks Committee Agenda. Minutes
Bayfield County Forestry & Parks Committee met Sept. 14, 2026 and approved minutes, forwarded a budget-amendment resolution tied to a possible WI Coastal Management grant for a Big Rock Park land purchase, authorized several grant applications and access permits, and reviewed budget, carbon-credit and reforestation updates. Committee also heard updates on parks projects, staffing grade changes, and upcoming WCFA studies.
Discussion Points
•$125,000 grant awarded to reforest failed jack pine seeded sites
•Administrator Bodine recommended approval
•Allotment just under $4,000
•ANEW potential sale of ~100,000 conservation credits
•Assistant Administrator grade increase request not approved
September 11, 2026, September 11, 2026 Board of Adjustment Special Meeting. Minutes
At a special virtual meeting Sept. 11, 2026, the Bayfield County Board of Adjustment voted 5-0 to move into a closed session under Wisc. Stats. 19.85(1)(g) to consult with counsel about the U.S. District Court decision in TowerNorth Development, LLC v. Bayfield County and the Board of Adjustment; the meeting opened at 9:01 AM and adjourned at 10:09 AM.
Discussion Points
•Chair noted public emails and referenced the meeting packet; Hulstrom confirmed postings.
•Chair referenced public correspondence and meeting packet; Hulstrom confirmed Open Meetings Law posting.
Decisions
•Motion to adjourn carried 5-0 at 10:09 AM.
•Motion to enter closed session carried 5-0.
Directions
•Board directed staff and counsel to move to closed session for conferring with counsel on litigation (no public detail recorded).
September 08, 2026, Remote & In-Person Children's COP Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda 09/08/2026 at 10 a.m. in the Lake Michigan Conference Room. Minutes
Bayfield County CCOP Advisory Committee met Sept. 8, 2026, approved July minutes, reviewed CCOP enrollment (59 enrolled, 3 referrals) and discussed the 2027 CCOP Plan. The committee decided not to prioritize groups for CCOP funds, set a timeline to draft a protocol to ensure full expenditure, and scheduled CST self-assessment support for Nov. 10, 2026.
Discussion Points
•Concerns about perceived discrimination and fiscal implications
•Consider parent survey to gather family input
•Examples from larger counties (MOE, non-citizen children)
•No current protocol to ensure full CCOP expenditure; ideas include administrative uses and seed money for support groups
•No public comment; procedural approval of minutes; enrollment update presented (59 enrolled, 3 referrals).
•Plan to reinvigorate CST
•Proposed timeline for drafting protocol
•State employees to lead self-assessment on Nov. 10
•Whether to prioritize groups for CCOP (Question 5)
Decisions
•Adopt timeline for protocol development
•Answer "no" to Question 5; do not prioritize groups at this time
•Approve July 14, 2026 minutes
•Make CST self-assessment the main focus of Nov. 10 meeting
Directions
•Develop protocol per agreed timeline
•Forward questions to Weyers before Nov. 10 meeting
August 25, 2026, Bayfield County Board Meeting, 6:00 PM, August 25, 2026. Minutes
Bayfield County Board met Aug. 25, 2026 in Washburn and approved multiple resolutions, heard a Baker Tilly audit summary, considered an 18-month moratorium draft on data centers, advanced county EMS planning including an ad hoc advisory committee and a county purchase of the Pigeon Lake Field Station.
Discussion Points
•Ad Hoc EMS Advisory Committee membership proposed including county supervisors and EMS providers
•Consent agenda items listed in minutes
•Draft EMS Performance Assistance Plan presented with three core objectives
August 12, 2026, Ad Hoc Business Park Planning Committee Meeting-REMOTE, 10:00 AM, August 12, 2026. Minutes
At its April 25, 2024 virtual meeting, the Bayfield County Ad-Hoc Business Park Planning Committee elected leadership, received an update on a feasibility and water study (results due May 8), discussed road realignment and funding for a park road extension, reviewed sign installation logistics, and met in closed session to discuss land sales including a possible future sale of the county's Xcel site.
Discussion Points
•Closed-session review of closed-session minutes and business park land sales; suggestion to market county's Xcel property in coming years.
•Feasibility study incomplete; water study results expected May 8; potential wastewater expansion to serve nearby residences.
•Introductions of clerk taking minutes; leadership nominations and unanimous ballots; approval of Jan. 10 minutes.
•Realignment designs by C&S Design; build second half of park road to connect to Highway 137; funding from tenant lease payments expected to cover ~50% of costs; state coordination for connection to Highway 137.
•Signage is on site but installation pending pole climber availability.
Decisions
•Elect chair and vice-chair by unanimous ballot; approve Jan. 10, 2024 minutes.
•No sale authorized at this meeting; suggestion for future marketing of the Xcel site.
Directions
•Staff to proceed with bid advertising and coordinate with state for the Highway 137 connection.
August 11, 2026, Updated Agenda for Board of Health meeting August 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the EOC.. Minutes
The Bayfield County Board of Health met August 11, 2026. The board approved minutes, forwarded the proposed 2027 Health Department budget and the 2027 Opioid Settlement budget to the Executive Committee, adopted a revised tourist rooming house fee structure effective July 1, 2026, authorized applying for a Community Health Worker grant, and heard program updates including flu clinics, WIC outreach, Legionella testing and tickborne illness activity.
Discussion Points
•2027 Community Health Assessment not completed for County Fair.
•Access to Care grant planning with Emergency Management aims to design a countywide emergency system and consider ADA modifications to the mobile health clinic.
•CHW grant would create shared positions to support seniors, WIC health checks and MCH developmental assessments; TPP program restoration noted.
•Coy highlighted grant reductions and eliminations and where mandated services have been historically funded.
•Fall 2026 flu clinic schedule completed; VaxCare will be used to accept most insurances.
•Legionella sampling at Washburn nursing home mostly negative; a few positive spots in long-vacant rooms.
•Lyme disease cases remain elevated under tickborne illness grant.
•Planned uses include counseling through Criminal Justice, support services for clients, educational services via CESA, community vending machine maintenance, prescription drug take-back events, and overdose training.
•State increased the license fee for TRHs with 2–4 units; inspecting multiple units requires more time and justifies per-unit charges.
•WIC Grow with WIC event had 20 families; Senior Expo covered tick prevention and home safety.
Decisions
•Adopt base rate plus $50 per additional unit up to 4 units.
•Board approved applying for the Community Health Worker grant.
•Board voted to accept and forward the Opioid Settlement budget.
•Board voted to accept the proposed 2027 Health Department budget and forward to Executive Committee.
Directions
•Apply for CHW grant; continue planning for Access to Care grant with Emergency Management.
•Budget to be forwarded to Executive Committee for approval.
•Continue outreach, surveillance and vendor/billing coordination for flu clinics.
•Forward budget to Executive Committee for approval.
•Implement new fee structure effective July 1, 2026.
August 11, 2026, Bayfield County Library Committee 4:00 PM, August 11, 2026. Minutes
The Bayfield County Library Committee met remotely on Jan. 20, 2026 to hear a presentation on Fred Rogers and early literacy, review the five-year library plan and Building Strong Libraries projects, approve a final payment to Forest Lodge Library, discuss 2027 BSL program changes (including digital navigation goals), consider Act 420 funding for adjacent-county libraries, and plan fair and Earth Day activities.
Discussion Points
•County currently funds adjacent-county libraries at 70%; proposal to increase to 100% in 2027.
•Draft plan revisions reviewed; suggested language edits on circulation and removal of Gale Courses.
•Forest Lodge submitted a request for remaining 2025 BSL funds; Amanda Westlund provided a project update.
•Loewen presented methods from Fred Rogers’ approach to early literacy and suggested practices libraries could adopt.
•Opportunity to staff booths at Bayfield County Fair and to participate in Free Trees for Earth Day.
•Removal of AI goal; addition of device lending and digital navigation services; removal of Digital Navigator sections.
Decisions
•Approve program with caveat to add details
•Final payment approved
•No vote recorded
Directions
•County Administrator to add more specifics to final document.
•Libraries interested in participating should contact Iron River Library.
•Members to send update recommendations to Abeles-Allison.
August 10, 2026, Forestry & Parks Committee Agenda. Minutes
Bayfield County Forestry & Parks Committee met August 10, 2026. The committee reviewed the Ashwabay Alliance annual accomplishments, forwarded the 2027 department budget to the executive committee, approved personnel reclassification requests, authorized a sustainable forestry grant application to reforest roughly 900 acres, approved an access-permit renewal, changed the Log-A-Load timber sale location, reviewed monthly reports including a projected stumpage shortfall and trestle repair funding gap, and heard DNR comment praising the county audit.
Discussion Points
•Alternate site already prepared and expected to yield similar volumes
•Certification audits scheduled; NRB appointment for Mike Amman
•Contractor found original location unsuitable for attendee volume
•Grant request up to $90k; total replanting cost expected to exceed $200k
•July stumpage receipts just over $292k; total stumpage returns roughly $1.67M YTD
•Net deposit to general fund projected at $2.096 million
•Plan to treat just under 900 acres over three years
•Positions are below market average and merit review
•Program accomplishments and partner activities presented by Doug Olson
•Projected $1.0M shortfall for 2026
•Reclassification of forester Amman proposed to add management capacity
•Renewal under standard rates recommended by staff
•Revenue increase primarily from trestle repair grant and transfers
•Trestle repair bid exceeds grant award; county requested more DNR funding
Decisions
•Budget forwarded with unanimous recommendation
•Contract revision approved
•Grant application approved
•Permit renewal approved
•Referral to personnel committee
Directions
•Apply for the Sustainable Forestry Grant
•Forward budget to executive committee for approval
•Forward to personnel committee for action
•Terminate prior contract; approve new contract under same terms
