County Board Minutes 05-21-2026

BUFFALO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MAY SESSION Monday, May 18, 2026, at 4:30 P.M. The Board met. Mr. Bork in the Chair. Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 4:32 p.m. Roll Call of Buffalo County Board of Supervisors: Roll call was taken and all members were present. Others present in person at the meeting: Mr. Lee Engfer, Ms. Lisa Schmitt, Mr. Cale Severson, Ms. Jamie Bjerke, Mr. Derek Olson, Mr. Frank Mertes, and Ms. Laura Pettersen. Joining online were Ms. Tina Anibas, Mr. Mike O’Connor, and Brommerich News. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. County Clerk Verification of Open Meetings Law Compliance: Ms. Schmitt verified that proper notice of the meeting was given in compliance with Wisconsin Open Meetings Law at least 24 hours prior to this meeting. Approve Agenda: Mr. Weiss made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Bruegger. Carried. Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting: Mr. Stanton made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, seconded by Mr. Taylor. Carried. Public Comment: Ms. Bjerke, Mr. Olson, and Mr. Mertes spoke regarding the County Road OO proposed project. Mr. O’Connor stated that he supports the data center ordinance amendment. Library Presentation: Ms. Pettersen, the Alma Public Library Director, gave a presentation on the Alma and Mondovi libraries. Confirmation of Committee Assignments: There was discussion about the Land Management and UW-Extension/Ag and Extension Education committees and Fair Board appointments. Committee of the Board can amend the Rules of Government to determine how the Fair Board member is appointed. A motion was made by Mr. Ruff to approve the current committee assignments and have both Mr. Steve Nelson and Mr. Stanton assigned to the Fair Board until Committee of the Board meets to amend the Rules of Government, seconded by Mr. Bruegger. Carried. Ordinance #26-05-01 An Ordinance to Amend “Buffalo County Subdivision Ordinance”: Mr. Cale Severson explained that the previous subdivision ordinance language is outdated and needed to be brought up to date. This ordinance was approved by the Land Management Committee. Mr. Michaels made a motion to approve the Subdivision Ordinance amendments presented, seconded by Mr. Taylor. Carried. Ordinance #26-05-02 An Ordinance to Amend Ordinance #18-07-01 “Buffalo County Zoning Ordinance”: Mr. Severson stated that the data center definitions have already been approved and added to the Zoning Ordinance. This ordinance is to clarify and add additional language and was approved by the Land Management Committee. Mr. Steve Nelson made a motion to approve the Zoning Ordinance amendment as presented, seconded by Mr. Stanton. Mr. Bruegger spoke asking for even stronger restrictions to data centers in the future. Carried. Committee Chair Reports: Mr. Bork gave an update on the Workforce Development Board. Mr. Weiss reported that the Land Management Committee has been invited to the Town of Nelson board meeting. The Town of Nelson is the last township left to do re-monumentation. County Board Chair Report: None County Administrator Report: Mr. Engfer reported as follows: •The WCA district meeting is June 18th in Warrens. Any supervisors interested in attending are welcome. •The employee health insurance group has been meeting, and a survey will be going out to employees. •A chiller unit quit working. It has been fixed to run temporarily and there will be bids for the replacement parts. •The speed limit in the city limits of Buffalo City on County Road OO was reduced from 35 to 25 and the signs are on order. •A lease was signed with the USDA in February. They have recently broken ground for a new facility, but the county has not received any notice that they are leaving. •There haven’t been any official applicants for the District 14 vacancy, but there may be one interested person. Correspondence: Mr. Engfer reported that there has been one piece of correspondence received which will be followed up with the home committee. Future Agenda Items: Mr. Stanton mentioned that we need to work on ways for the county to generate revenue from the data centers. Next Meeting Date and Time: The next meeting will be Monday, June 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 5:47 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lisa Schmitt
 County Clerk