Executive Committee - Regular Meeting — Minutes

Chippewa County Executive Committee Regular Meeting July 21, 2026 Chippewa County Courthouse, Room 302 4:30 PM 1. Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 04:30 PM 2. Roll Call Members Present: Jason Bergeron, Joel Seidlitz, Kari Ives, Joseph Roshell, Karen Lotts Members Absent: Others Present: Others Present: Andy Albarado, Traci Bremness, Leah Simington, Jessica McDonald, Andy Bauer, Todd Pauls, Melanie McManus, Jackie Sadler, Patty Schimmel, Peter Johnston, Rose Baier, Deb Blevins, Karl Rebay, Mandy Mori, Pete Gehring, Chuck Nagel, George Rohmeyer, Mike Sanders 3. Members of the Public Wishing to Be Heard (Comments will be limited to 5 minutes per speaker.) 4. Consent Agenda (Unless separation of an item is requested, all items will be adopted under one motion.) Motion: Approved Result: Passed (3 - 0) Mover: Karen Lotts Seconder: Joseph Roshell Ayes: Jason Bergeron, Joel Seidlitz, Kari Ives Nayes: None Absent: 1. Approve the Agenda 2. Approve the Minutes - July 7, 2026 3. Schedule Next Meeting Date - August 4, 2026 5. Reports 1. Register of Deeds Annual Report and 2nd Quarter Dashboard Metrics – Melanie McManus McManus presented her annual report and the 2nd quarter dashboard metrics. 6. Updates, Announcements, and Correspondence 1. County Board Chair Report 2. County Administrator Operation Report Albarado gave an update on the parking lot replacement project (see memo on file). A total of $900,000 has already been approved in prior CIP plans. Originally the goal was to replace Parking Lot A in two phases due to the cost of the original estimates. As a result of recent estimates, the County is able to expand the scope of the project and complete Parking Lot A, Parking Lot B and the cul-de-sac for a lower cost than the original projection for Parking Lot A alone. The new estimated cost for all three projects is $745,000. a. Update on Facilities & Parks CIP Approved Funds for Parking Lot Replacement – Andy Albarado 7. Business Items 1. Resolution to Disallow Claim of Alex Nicholson - Deb Blevins Blevins gave an overview of the claim and explained it is the recommendation of WMMIC, our liability insurance carrier, to disallow the claim. Motion: Approved Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Kari Ives Seconder: Joel Seidlitz Ayes: Jason Bergeron, Joel Seidlitz, Kari Ives, Joseph Roshell, Karen Lotts Nayes: None Absent: 2. County Administrator/County Board 2027 Budget Review – Andy Albarado Motion: Forward Budget to the County Administrator Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Joel Seidlitz Seconder: Joseph Roshell Ayes: Jason Bergeron, Joel Seidlitz, Kari Ives, Joseph Roshell, Karen Lotts Nayes: None Absent: 3. Corporation Counsel Division 2027 Budget Review – Todd Pauls Motion: Forward Budget to the County Administrator Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Karen Lotts Seconder: Kari Ives Ayes: Jason Bergeron, Joel Seidlitz, Kari Ives, Joseph Roshell, Karen Lotts Nayes: None Absent: 4. Criminal Justice Services Division 2027 Budget Review – Rose Baier Motion: Forward Budget to the County Administrator Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Kari Ives Seconder: Karen Lotts Ayes: Jason Bergeron, Joel Seidlitz, Kari Ives, Joseph Roshell, Karen Lotts Nayes: None Absent: 5. Finance Division 2027 Budget Review – Leah Simington Seidlitz doesn’t understand why the County allocates $54,000 for the Northern Wisconsin State Fair. He thinks that money could help offset other expenses we have. He would like to see what we get in return for that money. Bergeron requested the County Administrator to send the committee the state statute that requires us to have a county fair. Motion: Forward Budget to the County Administrator Result: (4 - 1) Mover: Joseph Roshell Seconder: Kari Ives Ayes: Jason Bergeron, Kari Ives, Joseph Roshell, Karen Lotts Nayes: Joel Seidlitz Absent: 6. Human Resources Division 2027 Budget Review – Jessica McDonald Motion: Forward Budget to the County Administrator Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Karen Lotts Seconder: Joseph Roshell Ayes: Jason Bergeron, Joel Seidlitz, Kari Ives, Joseph Roshell, Karen Lotts Nayes: None Absent: 7. Information Technology Division 2027 Budget Review – Andy Bauer Motion: Forward Budget to the County Administrator Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Joel Seidlitz Seconder: Kari Ives Ayes: Jason Bergeron, Joel Seidlitz, Kari Ives, Joseph Roshell, Karen Lotts Nayes: None Absent: 8. County Clerk 2027 Budget Review – Jackie Sadler Motion: Forward Budget to the County Administrator Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Joel Seidlitz Seconder: Karen Lotts Ayes: Jason Bergeron, Joel Seidlitz, Kari Ives, Joseph Roshell, Karen Lotts Nayes: None Absent: 9. Register of Deeds 2027 Budget Review – Melanie McManus Motion: Forward Budget to the County Administrator Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Joseph Roshell Seconder: Karen Lotts Ayes: Jason Bergeron, Joel Seidlitz, Kari Ives, Joseph Roshell, Karen Lotts Nayes: None Absent: 10. Treasurer 2027 Budget Review – Patty Schimmel Motion: Forward Budget to the County Administrator Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Kari Ives Seconder: Joseph Roshell Ayes: Jason Bergeron, Joel Seidlitz, Kari Ives, Joseph Roshell, Karen Lotts Nayes: None Absent: 11. Veterans Service 2027 Budget Review – Peter Johnston Motion: Forward Budget to the County Administrator Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Joel Seidlitz Seconder: Karen Lotts Ayes: Jason Bergeron, Joel Seidlitz, Kari Ives, Joseph Roshell, Karen Lotts Nayes: None Absent: 12. Engagement of Baker Tilly for Review of the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative’s Feasibility Study Prepared by Wipfli – Andy Albarado Albarado gave some background on how we go to this point (see memo on file). He explained the intent is for this to be a kick-off meeting with Baker Tilly and allow the County Board Supervisors to ask any questions they have. Karl Rebay and Mandi Mori, Baker Tilly, gave an overview of their background and the strategy they use when doing a review. (see presentation on file) As part of their review process, they contact individuals in the area and conduct interviews and maintain confidentiality of everyone. They will show us a list and we can select who they talk to. He explained that a lot of the implementation of HR1 (Big Beautiful Bill) are to be implemented over a 10 year period. The committee members offered several comments and suggestions for Baker Tilly to consider when doing the review. • Several County Board Supervisors wonder if Wipfli took into consideration the new Aspirus hospital coming into the area. • A couple years have passed since the closure of HSHS so how does that impact the data/numbers? • Breakdown the HR1 (Bill Beautiful Bill) going into effect in phases. • Are there liquid assets or anything that we could claim if the loan falls through? • How will they work with our Public Health Department to focus on preventive efforts and how will the funding work? • How will they help with the lack of EMS services in the county? • Considering we are nearly two years after the closing of HSHS, how many of those employees are still in the area looking for jobs? What happens if the cost of employing those individuals is higher than what’s in the study? • A lot of their numbers in the report seem optimistic. Employers usually have a struggle the first five year to ensure sustainability of the company. They would like to see current numbers. • Will they bring something unique to the area (labor and delivery, EMS, general public welfare, etc.) or provide a new service? Rohmeyer commented that many of his constituents have struggled with getting health care. He would like to have a listening session for the public to talk about what they want for services in a hospital. Gehring commented this discussion has gone on for a long time and long before this current Executive Committee was seated. He feels this discussion should move forward to the full County Board so they can decide what to do. Motion: Motion to move forward with the Baker Tilly review and authorize the County Administrator to use $45,000 from the Land Development Fund Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Kari Ives Seconder: Joel Seidlitz Ayes: Jason Bergeron, Joel Seidlitz, Kari Ives, Joseph Roshell, Karen Lotts Nayes: None Absent: 8. Agenda Items for Future Consideration 9. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at: 06:27 PM Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Kari Ives Seconder: Joel Seidlitz Ayes: Jason Bergeron, Joel Seidlitz, Kari Ives, Joseph Roshell, Karen Lotts Absent: