Land, Water & Forest Resources Committee — Agenda Packet

1 Sawyer County Land, Water & Forest Resources Committee Meeting Wednesday, August 12, 2026 @ 8:30 AM Sawyer County Board Room AGENDA 1. ZOOM LINK a. To view or participate in the virtual meeting from a computer, iPad, or Android device please go to https://zoom.us/j/99719807086. You can also use the dial in at 1-312-626- 6799 with the Webinar ID: 997 1980 7086. Use *9 to Raise/lower hand and *6 to Unmute/mute. If you are on a computer, click the "Raise Hand" button and wait to be recognized. If you are on a telephone, dial *9 and wait to be recognized. If additional assistance is needed please contact the County Clerk's Office at 715- 634-4866 prior to the meeting. This meeting will be recorded and will be available on our website at: https://sawyercountygov.org. 2. CALL TO ORDER 3. ROLL CALL 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 5. CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW 6. MEETING AGENDA 7. PUBLIC COMMENTS At this time, members of the public will be given the opportunity to address the Committee. Please adhere to the following when addressing the Committee: • Comments will be limited to 3 minutes or less per individual. • Comments should be directed to the Committee as a whole and not directed to individual Committee members. • The Committee cannot respond to your comments during this time. • Please sign in and fill out a public comment sheet if you wish to speak and hand it to the County Clerk (please respect the signs and do not approach Board members at the table). 8. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING a. LWFRC Draft Minutes 7.8.26 9. EVENTS (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) a. Events Applications- No applications were received this month Page 1 of 18 2 10. REGISTER OF DEEDS REPORT a. Register of Deeds Report b. Preliminary 2027 Budget Request 11. LAND RECORDS AND COUNTY SURVEYOR REPORTS a. Real Property Lister Report b. County Surveyor Report c. Preliminary 2027 Budget Request 12. FORESTRY a. County Forestry Report i) Preliminary 2027 Budget Request b. Wisconsin DNR Report c. US Forest Service Report d. Recreational Trails Report 13. ZONING & CONSERVATION a. Conservation Report b. Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program - DNR Grant Resolution (Discussion/Action) c. Preliminary 2027 Budget Request 14. TREASURER'S REPORT a. Consider Offers for Tax Deed Property Below Appraised Value (Discussion and Possible Action) 15. BOARD APPOINTED COMMITTEE UPDATES 16. CORRESPONDENCE, REPORTS FROM CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS 17. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 18. FINALIZATION OF BUSINESS 19. NEXT MEETING DATE /TIME: SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 Page 2 of 18 3 20. ADJOURNMENT DISCLAIMER: A quorum of the County Board of Supervisors or of any of its committees may be present at this meeting to listen and observe. Neither the Board nor any of the committees have established attendance at this meeting as an official function of the Board or committee(s) or otherwise made a determination that attendance at the meeting is necessary to carry out the Board or committee’s function. The only purpose for other supervisors attending the meeting is to listen to the information presented. Neither the Board nor any committee (other than the committee providing this notice and agenda) will take any official action with respect to this noticed meeting. Copy sent via email to: Committee Members, Associated Staff and News Media. Note: Any person wishing to attend whom, because of a disability, requires accommodation should call the Sawyer County Clerk’s Office (715.634.4866) at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting so appropriate arrangements can be made. Land, Water, and Forestry Resources Committee Mission Statement: "Develop, guide and implement policies that protect and ensure the sustainability of our biodiverse community." Page 3 of 18 Minutes of the July 8, 2026 Meeting of the Sawyer County Land, Water & Forest Resources Committee of the Sawyer County Board of Supervisors Board Room, Sawyer County Voting Committee Members (X) Present: Others Present: Steve Kariainen Mike Markgren Kimberly Peterson- Virtual Randy Neumann Liz Klein Brody Fischer Kay Wilson Jay Kozlowski Jayne Schroeder Marshal Savitski Greg Peterson Steve Longtine Chris Gregory Allison Jonjak- Virtual Call to Order – Chair Kariainen called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. Certification of Compliance with the open meeting law was met. Roll Call was taken; a quorum was met; the agenda was set. Public Comments – Linda Zillmer Minutes from the previous meeting dated: June 10, 2026 Motion to approve made by: Mr. Neumann Second by: Mr. Savitski Motion carried without negative vote. Events— No applications received Register of Deeds Update-- A written report for June was provided. Land Records and County Surveyor Department Report – Land Records—A written RPL report was provided. Surveyor—A written surveyor report was provided. Forestry – County Forestry Report— Mr. Peterson reported that nine sales were active in June. There is approximately $4.96M in sold-uncut timber on file at the time of the report. The County is currently in oak wilt restriction through July 15. Bids were received and reviewed for three ATV/UTV trail rehab projects; the cost and shortage of gravel is affecting project costs. DNR Report—Mr. Fischer reported on June DNR activity and reminded people not to prune or cause injury to any oak trees until after July 15 to prevent oak wilt- contact Mr. Fischer to report oak wilt symptoms. Honeysuckle and garlic mustard are invasive species increasing in area forests; Mr. Fischer noted that native black locust has become prevalent in some areas of disturbed soil. USFS Report—No report Page 4 of 18 Recreational Trails Report—Ms. Schroeder reported that grading is complete on Tuscobia and Moose Lake trails; Seeley Hills trails are next. Zoning/Conservation Department – Mr. Kozlowski reported that conservation staff have assisted individuals with site visits for native plant restoration projects and are busy with permits, project designs and meetings with lake associations. Water samples were taken from Loretta and Barber Lakes for a grant project. Conservation provided public education on aquatic invasive species, is planning a LWFRC guided tour, and is working with DNR on livestock siting and CAFO operations. Board Appointed Committee Updates – None Correspondence, Reports from Conferences and Meetings – None Future Agenda Items – None Adjournment – 8:46 am Next Meeting: August 12, 2026 Time: 8:30am Location: Board Room Minutes recorded by Liz Klein, County Clerk Page 5 of 18 2026 2025 RECORDED DOCUMENTS RECORDED DOCUMENTS JUNE - 460 JUNE - 453 JULY - 467 JULY - 465 TRANSFER FEES TRANSFER FEES JUNE - $141,679.80 JUNE - $87,358.80 JULY - $109,616.70 JULY - $99,766.20 QTR2 - $288,210.60 QTR2 - $196,017.00 LAREDO LAREDO JUNE - $4,824.60 JUNE - $4,229.85 JULY - $5,535.30 JULY - $4,144.20 QTR2 - $14,885.54 QTR2 - $12,884.56 TAPESTRY TAPESTRY JUNE - $1,731.78 JUNE - $852.40 JULY - $1,476.73 JULY - $787.94 VITAL RECORDS VITAL RECORDS JUNE - $2,200.00 JUNE - $2,185.00 JULY - $2,227.00 JULY - $3,045.00 June’s transfer fees were notably high this year. For reference, the highest month for transfer fees last year (2025) was August, which totaled just over $112,000.00. Our Tapestry credit revenue over the past few months has been significantly higher than it was last year. We’re seeing more customers choose to pay by credit card so they can access and download their documents immediately, rather than mailing in payments or coming into the courthouse. Register of Deeds 2027 budget is largely consistent with the prior year’s figures, with only a modest increase to account for normal year-to-year operational changes. - Rachel Thompson, Register of Deeds — Submitted August 3, 2026 ROD Monthly Report – AUG 2026 FINANCIAL – June & July Page 6 of 18 August 3, 2026 Real Property Lister Report Our department is going through some major changes currently. We have hired Chase Propson to fill Tristan Wirkus’s position. I have also submitted my resignation effective August 10 th. For my last two weeks at Sawyer County, I have spent most of my time training both Chase and Brian in property listing. Due to only one Board of Review being scheduled for July, I was able to spend extra time on transfers and have caught up with most transfers recorded in the second half of June and in July, ending up processing about 340 documents and 17 Certified Survey Maps in the month of July. Board of Reviews have been scheduled for 3 of the 7 municipalities holding revaluations this year. We are still waiting to hear about the Towns of Hunter, Sand Lake, Winter and the Village of Winter. Statements of Assessment and Assessment Rolls in XML format have been submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for all 14 municipalities not holding revaluations. Respectfully submitted, Kimberly Peterson GIS Technician and Real Property Lister 715-638-3279 kimberly.peterson@sawyercounty.gov Sawyer County Land Records 10610 Main Street, Suite 54 Hayward, Wisconsin 54843-0248 Telephone 715-634-3564 Fax 715-634-3546 https://sawyercounty.gov Page 7 of 18 County Surveyor’s Report 8/12/26 Last month we performed maintenance on various PLSS corners in the Towns of Lenroot, Hayward, and Bass Lake. We installed approximately 40 new or replacement address signs and 6 bunkhouse signs around the County. I reviewed 13 Certified Survey Maps and one County Subdivision Plat in July. Our Department budget for 2027 was submitted with no increases other than the standard wage/benefit increases. For the 2027 CIP I am requesting new GPS receiver. The two units we are currently running will be 10 years old next year and are no longer in production. They are presently working fine, but in the event of malfunction or damage may not be repairable due to parts availability. The new unit will be fully compatible with our existing equipment and software and will enable us to extend the working life of the existing units by at least couple of years. Respectfully Submitted, Chris Gregory Sawyer County Surveyor Sawyer County Surveyor’s Department 10610 Main Street, Suite 54 Hayward, Wisconsin 54843-0248 Telephone 715-634-3564 Fax 715-634-3546 https://sawyercountygov.org/ Page 8 of 18 Sawyer County Forestry Report July 2026 Active Timber Sales Thirteen sales listed as active in the month of July Sale Date # of Sales Acres Bid Value Received Est. Remaining 11/1/22 0 0 $0 $0 $0 5/10/23 0 0 $0 $0 $0 11/3/23 2 220 $137,634.55 $12,500.00 $125,134.55 5/7/24 0 0 $0 $0 $0 10/29/24 3 155 $155,680.95 $32,731.66 $122,949.29 5/7/25 4 319 $435,321.00 $62,743.15 $372,577.85 11/13/25 4 232 $289,403.20 $151,815.79 $137,587.41 5/5/26 0 0 $0 $0 $0 Totals 13 926 $1,018,039.70 $259,790.60 $758,249.10 Inactive Sales Sale Date # of Sales Acres Bid Value Received Est. Remaining 11/1/22 3 357 $118,307.25 $31,927.84 $86,379.41 5/10/23 1 136 $99,177.50 $51,000.00 $48,177.50 11/3/23 7 694 $205,115.20 $0 $205,115.20 5/7/24 7 748 $543,193.50 $349,046.10 $205,870.85* 10/29/24 10 878 $543,693.80 $133,832.02 $414,706.65* 5/7/25 16 1211 $1,047,625.20 $123,883.43 $923,741.77 11/13/25 15 1604 $870,432.93 $86,304.01 $784,128.92 5/5/26 21 1620 $1,351,689.90 $27,982.61 $1,323,707.29 Totals 80 7248 $4,779,235.28 $803,976.01 $3,991,827.59 * Sales having overruns ** Sales having underruns One sale with final close out in July Timber Sale Value (sold contracts-uncut) on file = $4,750,076.69 Page 9 of 18 Timber Revenue July YTD Timber Sales $170,063.96 $1,345,313.40 Christmas Trees/Boughs $0 $0 Performance Bonds Cashed $0 $0 Other Revenue Camping/Firewood/Access $56 $181 Park Reservations $0 $700 Budget Gross Timber Sale Revenue $ 1,345,313.40 $2,000,000 10% Payment to Towns $ 134,531.34 Net Timber Sale Revenue $ 1,210,782.06 Performance Bonds Drawn $ 0 Total Other Revenue $ 881.00 Timber Sale Revenue Billed Out $ 275,870.03 Timber Sale Volumes Harvested Pulpwood Volume (cords) Month YTD Aspen 2,954.58 16,213.79 Mixed Hardwood 954.80 10,613.21 Basswood 321.99 1,850.93 Red Oak 6.49 1,468.78 Red Pine 1,176.73 2,637.81 White Pine 0 242.69 White Spruce 16.00 112.38 Black Spruce 0 0 Tamarack 0 0 Black Ash 0 0 Balsam Fir 0 9.64 Total Cords 5,430.59 33,148.73 Sawlog Volume (MBF) Month YTD Mixed Hardwood 9.43 199.77 Basswood 9.43 118.56 Red Oak 0 275.96 Hard Maple 0 45.34 Total MBF 18.86 639.63 Page 10 of 18 Timber Sale Inspections # month YTD 50 223 Comments: Goal for timber sale inspections is one inspection per week while sale is actively being harvested, or wood is being hauled. Tract Establishment # sales month/ YTD acres month/YTD Goal 4/24 330/2005 3500 Comments: Recon Acres Updated July YTD Annual Goal 142 7732 6,000 acres Comments: Recon is the assessment of geographic, structure and compositional attributes of forest stands. Field information is stored in the Wisconsin Forest Inventory & Reporting System (WisFIRS). Basic resource information is collected, stored, and updated systematically and continuously. Database is used to analyze existing resources, evaluate management alternatives, and assist in the development and implementation of management plans. Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) Hours July FY27 Contract 0 110.5 Current Contract: FY27: Approximately 535 hours of timber sale establishment/admin. $42,955.30 Comments: Under the federal Good Neighbor Authority, the USDA Forest Service is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with states to perform forest management activities on national forest lands. WDNR has entered a GNA agreement with the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF). WDNR is authorized to contract with counties to assist with forest management activities on national forest lands. The focus of the GNA program is to assist in the implementation of the CNNF Forest Plan, which will provide: • Forest products to the local economy • Collaboration between federal, state and county forest managers • Improved health and resiliency of forestlands and watersheds within Wisconsin Page 11 of 18 Oak Wilt: Out of oak wilt restriction for the year. Beginning monitoring for new infestations and previous infestation sites. Mountain Bike Trails: Nothing new to report. Birkie Trail: Nothing new to report. ATV/UTV/Snowmobile Trails: Nothing new to report. Parks: Hatchery Park: Nothing new to report. Nelson Lake Park: Nothing new to report. Carbon Credit Project: Nothing new to report. Page 12 of 18 Sawyer County Land, Water & Forest Resources Committee Meeting DNR Forestry Report for August 2026 In July DNR activity on the Sawyer County Forest was focused on timber sale preparation and recon. In the upcoming weeks work will begin on site preparation and burn break construction with our fire control dozers. With the hot and dry weather in July there have been several fires across the county in recent weeks, so please check the daily burn restrictions. Report Submitted by Craig Morris, DNR Forester, on August 4 2026 Page 13 of 18 Zoning & Conservation Department Update July 2026 – August 2026 Prepared by Jay Kozlowski, Zoning & Conservation Administrator • Conservation staff have been busy with additional site visits including NR 135 Pit inspections, renewal of Notary Public for Tim, and planning of LWFRC fall tour to be held September 16th. This fall tour will be a chance for LWFRC members to take a guided tour with staff to see ongoing and completed projects in the County. • Other Department updates moving forward will be showcased as they relate to the Land & Water Resource Management Plan. Those elements of staff work are shown below: Goal 1: Reduce environmental impacts of agricultural non-point source pollution. Accomplishments: Objective 1&2: All farms have and utilize a nutrient management plan & control barnyard runoff • Preliminary look into starting Producer Led-Watershed Group Goal 2: “Protect, enhance, and restore natural shoreline structure and function” Accomplishments: Objective 1: “Educate shoreline property owners on the benefits of natural shorelines” • In July, Natalie presented a powerpoint to the Grindstone Lake Association about the importance of shoreline health and restoration at their annual meeting. • Numerous site visits have been made to help landowners improve their shorelines. • Worked on design for shoreline protection Objective 5: • Wake boats and their impacts when they create enhanced wakes are frequently discussed at the Sawyer County Lakes Forum. Natalie facilitates the meeting space and online availability for these meetings and is the acting secretary for the Forum. Goal 3: “Control and monitor invasive species” Accomplishments: Page 14 of 18 Objective 1: “Survey, monitor, and map invasive species” • In July, Natalie completed early detections invasive species monitoring for Summit Lake and Fishtrap Lake. She plans to survey two more lakes in August, and she uploads all data into SWIMS. • Currently aware of numerous Purple Loosestrife populations on HWY B and has plans to manually remove it in August. Objective 2: “Educate the public on the prevention, early detection, and control of invasive species” • Had a booth at Musky Fest about preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species • Held 2 aquatic plant ID trainings to teach lakeshore residents how to identify invasive plants and what to do if they find one • Held numerous Clean Boats Clean Waters Trainings for boat landing monitors • Receive numerous phone calls every year about controlling aquatic invasive species Goal 5: “Protect land and water resources through land use/comprehensive planning and enforcement of zoning regulations” Accomplishments: Objective 2: “Require mitigation and restoration of shoreline violations or specialized projects” • Every summer, shoreline mitigation agreements are checked for completion and compliance. Natalie and some zoning staff will be doing these checks in August. Objective 3: Require grading permits for disturbed slope areas or areas in excess of 10,000 sq. ft. • Reviewed Grading Permits, check compliance with Grading and Shoreline Permits Goal 6: “Promote Ecological Health and Restoration” Accomplishments: Objective 3: “Annual Tree Sale program” • Host an annual tree and shrub sale every spring. Focus on native trees and shrubs. Open to anyone. Objective 4: “Annual Native Plant Sale” • We are planning on working with a local nursery to help offer a bigger variety of native plants. We are hoping to knock down the barrier of native plant suppliers being 2+ hours away. Objective 5: Educate landowners on the importance of natural ecosystems • Site Visits, Office Visits, Phone calls Page 15 of 18 1 Resolution # 2 3 SAWYER COUNTY HEALTHY LAKES AND RIVERS PROGRAM 4 5 WHEREAS, Sawyer County is interested in obtaining a cost-share grant from the 6 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for the purpose of a county-wide program for 7 shoreline best practices; 8 9 WHEREAS, a grant agreement is requested to carry out the project; 10 11 WHEREAS, Sawyer County has budgeted a sum sufficient to complete the project; 12 13 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Sawyer County is authorized to make an 14 application for a grant to implement shoreline best practices; and 15 16 HEREBY AUTHORIZES the Zoning and Conservation Administrator, to act on behalf 17 of Sawyer County to submit an application to the State of Wisconsin, Department of 18 Natural Resources for financial assistance; to sign documents; and to take necessary 19 action to undertake, direct and complete the approved project. 20 21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Sawyer County will comply with all local, state and 22 federal rules, regulations and ordinances relating to this project and the cost-share grant 23 agreement through the 12th of August, 2031. 24 25 Adopted this 12th day of August, 2026 by the Sawyer County Land, Water and Forest 26 Resources Committee. By a vote of: in favor against abstain 27 28 29 Steve Kariainen, Chairman 30 31 32 Randy Neumann, Vice Chairman 33 34 35 Kay Wilson, Board Member 36 37 38 Steve Longtine, Board Member 39 40 41 Marshall Savitski, Board Member 42 43 _________________________________ 44 Allison Jonjak, Agricultural Representative Page 16 of 18 LWFRC Meeting – August 12, 2026 Treasurer’s Report The treasurer is seeking the approval of the LWFRC per County Resolution 2025-18 Exhibit A Section 9, to consider offers of $500,000.00 which are below the appraised value of $515,000.00 for Tax Id 10984 57-010-2-41-08-15-4 01-000-000010, 13166W Kreyer LN Hayward WI 54843. The property has been listed through a certified realtor/agent since 5/8/2026 with no successful offers at the listed price $550,000.00. SA WYER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AMENDMENT TO SA WYER COUNTY ORDINANCE - TAXATION CHAPTER 24 ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT OFT AX-DEEDED LANDS RESOLUTION NO. 2025-18 (9) The Treasurer may accept the bid most advantageous to it but, at the first attempt to sell a tax-deeded land, every bid less than the appraised value of the tax-deeded land shall be rejected. Tax-deeded land previously advertised for sale may be sold for any amount determined by the Treasurer and approved by the Land, Water , and Forest Resources Committee but only a�ter advertising the sale of such tax-deeded land by publication of a class 1 notice, under Wis. Stat. Chap. 985. No tax-deeded land may be sold for an amount that is less than the tax-deeded land's appraised value determined under Section (5) unless the Land, Water , and Forest Resources Committee has reviewed and approved such a sale and no tax-deeded land may be sold for an amount that is less than the amount of the highest bid unless the Land, Water , and Forest Resources Committee prepares a written statement, available for public inspection, that explains the reasons for accepting a bid that is less than the highest bid. The Treasurer shall notify, by mail, the clerk of the municipality in which a tax-deeded land is located of the sale of a tax-deeded land at least three weeks prior to the time of the sale. Act 207 (at Section 5) authorizes a county to sell tax-deeded properties by open or closed bid or engage licensed real estate brokers. In essence, the county can determine the most ef�icient and expedient method to sell the property, provided it complies with the publication requirements related to the property’s availability for purchase. 75.69 Sale of tax delinquent real estate. (1) Except as provided in sub. (1m), no tax delinquent real estate acquired by a county may be sold unless the sale and appraised value of such real estate has first been advertised by publishing on the county’s website and either by publication of a clas s 1 notice, under ch. 985, or by advertising on a multiple listing service, no later than 240 days after the county acquires the property or, beginning in 2026, no later than 180 days after the county acquires the property. Any county may accept the bid most advantageous to it but, at the first attempt to sell the property, every bid less than the appraised value of the property shall be rejected. Any county is authorized to sell for any amount any land previously advertised for sale after advertising the sale of Page 17 of 18 such land by publication of a class 1 notice, under ch. 985; except that no property may be sold for an amount that is less than the property’s appraised value unless the county board or a committee designated by the county board has reviewed and approved such a sale and no property may be sold for an amount that is less than the amount of the highest bid unless the county board or a committee designated by the county board prepares a written statement, available for public inspection, that explains the reasons for accepting a bid that is less than the highest bid. In this subsection, “appraised value” means the value determined, at the discretion of the county board, by the county board, a committee designated by the county board, or a certified appraiser, as defined in s. 458.01 (7). Page 18 of 18