Board of Supervisors Meeting — Minutes

Minutes of the July 16, 2026 Meeting of the Sawyer County Board of Supervisors Sawyer County Courthouse/Virtual Voting Committee Members Present (X) Roll Call Dis tric t Wards Steve Kariainen 01 T Lenroot W-1, T Hayward W-7, C Hayward W-5 Kay Wilson 02 T Lenroot W-2, T Round Lake W-1 Steve Longtine 03 T Hayward W-1 & 2 Stacey Hessel 04 T Hayward W-3 & 4 Randy Neumann 05 T Hayward W-5 & 6 Marc D. Helwig- Excused 06 C Hayward W-1 & 2 Jim Miller 07 C Hayward W-3 & 4 Marshal Savitski 08 T Bass Lake W-1 & 2 Jim Evans 09 T Bass Lake W-3 & 4 Chuck Van Etten 10 T Sand Lake, T Edgewater W-1 Jeff Hoehne 11 T Edgewater W-2, T Bass Lake W-5, T Meteor, T Couderay, V Couderay John Righeimer 12 T Spider Lake, T Round Lake W-2, T Winter W-1 Ron Kinsley 13 T Hunter, T Radisson W-1, T-Ojibwa W-1, V Radisson Ron Buckholtz 14 T Radisson W-2, T Ojibwa W-2, T Weirgor, V Exeland, T Meadowbrook John Minto- Absent 15 T Winter W-2, T Draper, V Winter Also present: Doug Mrotek, Mike Markgren, John Pinnow, Sheldon Johnson, Jason Laumann, Megan Sorenson Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance–Chairman Kinsley called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. Roll call was taken; quorum was met. Certification of Compliance with the open meeting law was met. Meeting Agenda – Set Public Comments – Linda Zillmer Minutes from the previous meeting dated: June 18, 2026 Motion to approve by: Mr. Evans Second by: Mr. Neumann Motion carried without negative vote. NWRPC Presentation-- Mr. Sheldon Johnson from Northwest Regional Planning Commission gave a presentation on NWRPC’s history, organization, and Economic Development, Housing, Environmental and Fiscal programs. NWRPC provides services to Sawyer County and its municipalities, who fall under its membership. Sawyer pays the highest membership of all ten counties in the district based on equalized value. Jason Laumann spoke on Planning and GIS work the Commission performs and Megan Sorenson spoke on Water Resources grants and projects. Zoning Committee – Mr. Buckholtz gave the Zoning Committee Chair report: the committee has heard 401 LUPs to date and will hear 2 rezones, 4 CUPs and a moratorium for data centers on July 17. Zone District Map Amendment for RZN #26-008 for Emerson & Evelyn Martin- to rezone 6.37 acres from A-1 to RR-1 was approved on a motion by: Mr. Evans Second by: Mr. Kariainen Motion carried without negative vote. Zone District Map Amendment for RZN #26-010 for Roslie Sheptick- to rezone 6.12 acres between four separate lots from RR-1 to C-1 was approved on a motion by: Mr. Longtine Second by: Mr. Evans Motion carried without negative vote. Zone District Map Amendment for RZN #26-011 for Mark Geddes— to rezone 0.57 acres from R-1 to C-1 was denied on a motion by: Ms. Hessel Second by: Ms. Wilson Motion carried without negative vote. Public Works Committee— Mr. Neumann updated the Board on department reports for Maintenance, Airport, Highway, and the Ad-hoc Committee. Public Safety Committee — Mr. Buckholtz reviewed the Clerk of Courts, Sheriff’s Department, Jail, Emergency Management, Dispatch, Child Support, Code Enforcement and Emergency Services and Tower reports for the board. Land, Water and Forest Resources Committee— Mr. Kariainen reviewed the Register of Deeds, Land Records, Surveyor, Forestry, Zoning Conservation and Trails reports. Economic Development and UW Extension Committee— Mr. Righeimer gave the July Economic Development and UW Extension Committee report on a proposed resolution for the library funding process, Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau, the Sawyer County Economic Development Corporation and motorized trail report. Mr. Markgren presented a resolution approved by Economic Development and Finance Committees and supported by the libraries, to set annual library allocation at the greater of 150% of the Wisconsin Act 150 circulation formula amount or 102.5% of the previous year’s County allocation. Resolution 2026-____Weiss & Winter Library Support was approved on a motion by: Ms. Hessel Second by: Mr. Longtine Motion carried without negative vote. Finance Report - Mr. Righeimer provided an update on county finances and department budgets. HHS Report—Ms. Wilson reported on the July 2 meeting of the HHS Board was adjourned due to lack of quorum. Administration Report— Mr. Kinsley reported that the Administration Committee met and heard reports from the County Clerk, Veterans, IT, and HR departments, the County Administrator, and the Veterans Tribute update. Mr. Markgren has announced his retirement from the County Administrator position at the end of December. County Administrator’s Report— Mr. Markgren updated the committee on preparations to submit the Opportunity Zone application, speaking at WTA on July 27, and reported that work is underway on the Meadowbrook radio tower. CJCC— Ms. Barry of Justice Point applied for a $740 million RCORPS grant to fund Deflection programs, which have been making a positive difference. Board Appointed Committee Updates— None Correspondence, Reports from Conferences and Meetings- None Future Agenda Items- Replace CA- start process in Admin Committee Meeting Adjourned at 6:09 pm Next meeting: Thursday, August 20, 2026 Time: 5:00 pm Location: Board Room Minutes recorded by Liz Klein, County Clerk