Board of Supervisors Meeting — Minutes

Minutes of the June 18, 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- Absent 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 (Late) 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: Jay Kozlowski, Doug Mrotek, Bryan Deyo, Mike Markgren, John Pinnow-virtual 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 – None Supervisor Helwig entered 5:03pm Sheriff Mrotek recognized Law Enforcement and a citizen for their roles in responding to a Radisson homicide call and investigation leading to the quick arrest of the suspect: Dispatcher Amber Elcombe, Deputies Wohling and Frey, and Detectives Dantzman and Gillis received Letters of Commendation. Citizen Dale Magnuson received a Letter of Recognition for his cooperation in the investigation. Chief Bryan Deyo received a Letter of Exceptional Service for his detective work on nine homicides, 31 deaths, 46 sexual assaults, 2 stabbings, 19 arsons and fraud and embezzlement cases. Minutes from the previous meeting dated: May 21, 2026 Motion to approve by: Mr. Buckholtz Second by: Mr. Helwig Motion carried without negative vote. Chairman Kinsley stated the board will present something in July to proclaim the month of August as ALS Awareness Month. Appointments—Mr. Kozlowski recommended the appointment Al Gerber for a three-year term Sawyer County Board of Appeals/Board of Adjustment. Motion to appoint Al Gerber to a three-year term on the Sawyer County Board of Appeals/Board of Adjustment by: Mr. Buckholtz Second by: Mr. Evans Motion carried without negative vote. Zoning Committee – Mr. Buckholtz gave the Zoning Committee Chair report: the committee has heard 349 LUPs to date. Zone District Map Amendment for RZN #26-002 for Thomas and Jean Carr to rezone 3.5 acres from RR-1 to C-1 was approved on a motion by: Mr. Buckholtz Second by: Mr. Kariainen Motion carried without negative vote. Zone District Map Amendment for RZN #26-009 for Hazel Magnuson, agent Benjamin & Jaclyn Tweed to rezone 0.44 acres across two separate lots from A-1 to RR-1 was approved on a motion by: Ms. Hessel Second by: Mr. Neumann Motion carried without negative vote. Public Works Committee— Mr. Helwig updated the Board on department reports for Maintenance, Airport, and Highway. Resolution 2026-____ Hangar Lease Area Agreement Hanna Bay Holdings, LLC was approved on a motion by: Mr. Evans Second by: Mr. Helwig Motion carried without negative vote. Speed Reduction— Mr. Pinnow presented a request to reduce speed on CTH B between CTH S and Musky Tale Road from 55mph to 45mph following safety concerns discussed in the Traffic Safety Committee on May 20. The request was approved at Public Works for consideration by the County Board. Motion to approve the speed reduction by: Mr. Helwig Second by: Mr. Neumann Motion carried without negative vote. 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 events applications, Register of Deeds, Land Records, Surveyor, Forestry, Zoning Conservation and Trails reports. Finance Report - Mr. Righeimer provided an update on county finances and department budgets. HHS Report—Ms. Wilson reported on the June 4 meeting of the HHS Board discussion of HHS Bylaws and shared reports from ADRC and Adult Protective Services, Community Support and Mobile Crisis, Child Protective Services, Youth Justice, Economic Support and Public Health. Economic Development and UW Extension Committee— Mr. Righeimer gave the June 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. 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. The 2026 Term County Board Policy & Procedures Manual was reviewed and discussed. Resolution 2026-____to Adopt County Board Policy & Procedures Manual as presented was approved on a motion by: Ms. Hessel Second by: Mr. Savitski Motion carried with one opposed. The proposed AI policy was presented by Mr. Markgren and approved on a motion by: Mr. Hoehne Second by: Mr. Helwig Motion carried without negative vote. The Personnel Policy Manual Updates were presented and reviewed by Mr. Markgren. Motion to approve the Personnel Policy Manual updates by: Mr. Helwig Second by: Mr. Savitski Motion carried without negative vote. County Administrator’s Report— Mr. Markgren updated the committee on the new Sawyer County Economic Development Executive Director Brian Priester and reported that the 2027 budget process was approved at Finance Committee and instructions sent out to Department Heads and outside organizations. He attended the Wisconsin Counties Association District meeting in Hayward on June 17th. The Public Works Ad-hoc committee continues to meet bi-weekly to work on an agreement with the WOJB Tower, which will require approximately $90,000 in upgrades if used for the Public Safety radio network. Mr. Bisonette is reaching out to Enbridge for possible funding support. CJCC— The Committee heard a presentation on local jail programs offered by Northwood Tech, which are having a positive effect on lowering recidivism by 47% statewide. Both Judge Isham and Judge Smith stated that the County’s programming and focus on youth diversion is really paying dividends with our kids regarding improving their behaviors and focus. Dave Dixon reported that Timber Bay is doing very well. They have about 18 youth in the program and 9-10 or so coming to weekly events. Board Appointed Committee Updates— Mr. Kariainen reported on ICAA, NWWIB and CEP meetings he attended. Mr. Buckholtz reported on Namekagon Transit. Mr. Evans stated that the Dairy Association Pancake Breakfast is June 27 at the Fairgrounds. Correspondence, Reports from Conferences and Meetings- Mr. Kinsley reported that the Public Works Ad-hoc committee meetings are going well and the Tribe has been open and willing to discuss a variety of business items. Future Agenda Items- ALS Awareness Proclamation Meeting Adjourned at 6:09 pm Next meeting: Thursday, July 16, 2026 Time: 5:00 pm Location: Board Room Minutes recorded by Liz Klein, County Clerk