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Transportation & Infrastructure 09/02/26 TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING Douglas County Board of Supervisors Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 9:30 a.m. Douglas County Highway Department 7417 S. County Road E, Hawthorne, WI 54873 Meeting called to order by Chair Baker. 1. ROLL CALL Present – Nick Baker, John Lohse, Steven Long. Absent – Mark Cummings, Randy Skowlund. Other – Jason Jackman, Alec Fowler, Ben Johnson, Craig Plummer, Mark Liebaert, Dave Sletten, Valerie Chammings, Dan Corbin, Dick Church, Melissa Jarzomski (Committee Clerk). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ACTION: Motion by Lohse, second Long, to approve August 5, 2026, minutes. Motion carried. 3. ACTION ITEMS / REFERRALS a. Highway Utility Permit Fee: Included in agenda; request to simplify the Highway Utility Permit fee structure by replacing the current sliding fee schedule ($10 to $100 based on project costs) with a flat rate of $50 per permit. ACTION (REFERRAL): Motion by Long, second Lohse, to approve request to change the permit fee to a flat rate of $50.00 in lieu of the current fee schedule and refer to Administration Committee. Motion carried unanimously. b. No Engine Braking (Except in an Emergency) Sign Request: Included in agenda. A request from the Town of Summit to install "No Engine Braking (Except in an Emergency)" signs along County Highway A near the Amnicon River. Discussion included concerns about noise impacts on nearby residents, the advisory nature of the signs, and potential future requests for additional signage. Committee members noted that similar signs have been installed elsewhere in the County and may encourage voluntary compliance by truck drivers ACTION: Motion by Lohse, second Long, to approve the No Engine Braking (Except in an Emergency) sign request. Motion carried. c. Extend 45 mph Speed Zone on County Highway A: Request from the Town of Summit to extend the existing 45 mph speed zone on County Highway A near Milchesky Road and the Amnicon River area. Discussion included traffic speed data, roadway curves, recent accidents, and concerns about vehicles traveling too fast through the corridor. Highway staff explained the current speed zone limits and reviewed traffic count information collected in the area. ACTION (ORDINANCE): Motion by Long, second Lohse, to approve proposal as presented and forward the ordinance amendment to County Board. Motion carried unanimously. d. 2027 Highway Budget: Proposed 2027 Highway Department budget reviewed. Major revenue changes include increased transportation aid, permit revenues, and bond proceeds for future road projects, partially offset by decreases in state/federal construction funding and County Aid to Bridges levy requirements. Expenditures reflect increased insurance and contracted service costs, adjustments in heavy construction funding, and reduced bridge aid expenditures. The budget is balanced with a zero-dollar bottom line and supports the Highway Department's ongoing road improvement program. Transportation & Infrastructure 09/02/26 ACTION (REFERRAL): Motion by Long, second Lohse, to approve 2027 Highway budget as presented and refer to Administration Committee. Motion carried unanimously. 4. INFORMATIONAL a. County Highway P / Minnesuing Creek Bridge Replacement Request for Proposals: Douglas County received approximately 90% funding for the replacement of the Minnesuing Creek Bridge on County Highway P. Requests for proposals for design services were sent to three consulting firms with proposals due October 1, 2026. The Committee will review proposals and recommend a consultant. The goal is to complete design work in 2027 and proceed with construction in spring 2028. 5. REPORTS The following departmental areas provided updates: Projects, Administrative, Maintenance, Equipment, and Budget. 6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Next meeting: October 7, 2026 7. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Long, second Lohse, to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:42 a.m. Submitted by, Melissa Jarzomski, Committee Clerk