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Iron County · Iron County · meeting of Feb 17, 2026 · Minutes
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Iron County Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes for February 17, 2026
Approved
1. Meeting called to order:
Wolff called the meeting to order at noon in the County Board Room.
2. Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge was recited.
3. Roll call taken:
Roll call: Youngs, Wolff, Lutgen, Erickson, Lauer. Absent Krall.
4. Acknowledge that the meeting was properly noticed and posted:
The clerk certified the meeting was properly posted.
5. Approve minutes of January 20, 2026 as presented:
Motion to approve the minutes as presented with the updates given for number 18 and 19 made by
Lauer, second by Lutgen.
6. County Manager’s Report:
Progress with RT Vision and working with DOT on data integration, IT strategic plan in development.
Emails will be updated from .org to .gov. Budget and audit preparation ongoing as well as
payroll/timecard system review scheduled.
7. Clerk/Chair Report:
Clerk’s Report: updated on Purchase cards comparing US Bank and JP Morgan Options. Waiting for
Corp Counsel with title commitment and agreement for Saxon Tower. Elections for 2026 are underway
for April.
Chair Report: Outlined eight priority areas for the County Manager. Complete payroll system
integration with Cems for efficiency. IT modernization, Streamline accounts payable and payroll
process, review and update wage structure, and benefits. Improve budget and financial statements to
eliminate audit weakness. Define office of administration roles and accountant job description. Clarify
administrative coordinator (county manager) duties.
8. Public comment pursuant to Resolution #2341:
None.
9. Discuss/Action Sheriff’s Department 911 Clock System:
The system is 18 years old and if it goes down then the entire 911 system will not run. We essentially
need to upgrade the clock system. The cost for the system, interface and labor is $10,722.80. Motion to
get the upgrade, interface and labor at $10,722.80 using Capital funds made by Youngs, seconded by
Lauer. All yes, carried.
10. Resolution 2026-4059 Utilizing Sourcewell for Highway Procurement Process:
WHEREAS, the Iron County Highway Commissioner seeks to streamline the procurement process for
highway equipment purchases; and
WHEREAS, Sourcewell, a cooperative purchasing program, provides a no-cost software platform and
competitively solicited contracts to facilitate efficient bidding and procurement for public entities; and
Iron County Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes for February 17, 2026
Approved
WHEREAS, the Highway Commissioner has conducted due diligence, including consultations with
other counties utilizing Sourcewell for similar purchases; and
WHEREAS, the Highway Commissioner has determined that participation in Sourcewell is in the best
interest of Iron County;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Highway Commissioner is authorized to utilize
Sourcewell to streamline and coordinate the procurement and bidding process for highway equipment
purchases.
Motion to approve Resolution 2025-4059 made by Erickson, seconded by Youngs. All yes, carried.
11. Discuss/Action to Contract Knight Barry and Gowey Abstract to complete Title Searches for
Delinquent Tax Collection Properties to be taken by Tax Deed: These are delinquent properties that
need to be completed prior to taking them by deed. Since our Deeds office does not have the capacity
at this time, we need to outsource them to other title companies to get the searches completed. We
received a quote from both companies, and we are going to split the searches up. The cost is going to
be around $8000.00. No budget amendment will be needed. Motion to contract Gowey Abstract at $75
and Knight Barry at $100 to complete the title searches for delinquent tax collection properties to be
taken by tax deed made by Lutgen, seconded by Lauer. All yes, carried.
12. Discuss/Action Cleaning Contract:
Two bids were received for each of the 5 buildings. Team Kleen and Merritt’s.
Team Kleen Merritt’s
Courthouse $54000 $62,400
Highway/Forestry $8,400 $10,400
Health $13,200 $5,200
ADRC $6,600 $5,200
Senior Center $3,000 $10,400
The Lowest Bidders were awarded each building. Motion to award Team Kleen the Courthouse,
Highway and Senior Center and Merritt’s ADRC and Health made by Youngs, seconded by Lutgen.
All yes, carried.
13. Discuss Financial Statement Review:
Wolff reviewed income statements and balance sheets for major and non-major funds. Discussed
transferring funds from debt to general and from highway to county roads fund. Highlighted strong
stumpage revenue and Human Services savings. Suggested using carbon credit fund for Saxon Harbor
loan payoff.
14. Discuss/Action to move cash between funds:
Motion to move $300,000 from debt fund to general fund made by Lauer, seconded by Erickson. All
yes, carried.
Motion to move $800,000 from highway (700) to county Roads (208) fund made by Lutgen, seconded
by Lauer. All yes, carried.
15. Discussion to follow up on Wage and Benefit Study:
Addressing wage compression and formalizing structure. Future approach to incremental adjustments
toward control point, internal transfer policies and new hire guidelines. Explore tiered health plans and
HAS’s.
Iron County Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes for February 17, 2026
Approved
16. Discuss/Action to Establish Clerk of Courts wages for the next four years:
Schedule for salary scale for Clerk of Courts
2027 $68,000
2028 $69,500
2029 $71,000
2030 $72,500
Motion to approve the schedule for clerk of courts salary made by Erickson, seconded by Youngs. All
yes, carried.
17. Discussion/Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurers report was reviewed.
18. Review, Discussion, and Approval of Credit Card Bills, and Check Numbers 155658 through 155985
and Manual Checks V38701 through V3882 dated 1/15/2026 to 2/12/2026:
Motion to approve the vouchers and issue the checks made by Lauer, seconded by Lutgen. All yes,
carried.
19. Closed Session per WI State Statute 19.85 (1) (c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation
or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has
jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. (Deputy Reg of Deeds and Deputy Clerk of Court)
19.85 (1) (e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public
funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons
require a closed session. (Public Safety Expense Reimbursement Agreement).
Motion to go into closed session at 1:19pm made by Lutgen, seconded by Lauer. Roll call taken.
Erickson abstained and excused himself. 4 yes, carried.
20. Return to Open session to report any possible action on closed session items:
Motion to return to open session at 1:56pm made by Lutgen, seconded by Lauer. All yes, carried. Roll
call taken. Motion to recommend to the Board to sign the Public Safety Expense Reimbursement
Agreement made by Lutgen, seconded by Youngs. All yes, carried.
21. Adjournment:
Wolff adjourned the meeting at 1:58pm.
Approved: March 24, 2026
Christan Brandt, County Clerk
Source: Iron County website. First collected Oct 11, 2026.