County Board Minutes 03-23-2026

BUFFALO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SPECIAL APRIL SESSION Monday, April 6, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. The Board met. Mr. Bork in the Chair. Meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m. Roll call was taken and all the members were present, except Mr. John Hadley. Present in person at the meeting: Mr. Lee Engfer, Ms. Lisa Schmitt, Mr. Cale Severson, Ms. Abigail Soderberg, Mr. Tim Holton, and others. Joining online were Mr. Steve Wall, Mr. Brad Schmidtknecht, and Mr. Christopher Murray. 
 The Pledge of Allegiance was said. Public Comments Regarding Posted Agenda Items: Mr. Holton, CEO of Riverland Energy, spoke, stating that last week at the Land Management Committee meeting there was unanimous approval to bring these ordinances to the full County Board. He thanked the committee and the board for their work on these matters.   Review/Discussion/Action Regarding Previous Meeting Minutes: Mr. Weiss made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, seconded by Mr. Bruegger. Carried. Review/Discussion/Action Regarding Ordinance #26-04-01 An Ordinance to Amend the Official “Buffalo County Zoning District Map” – Town of Lincoln: Mr. Cale Severson, Land Management Director, explained that all three of these ordinances are to change the zoning for three parcels where industrial sub-station containers owned by Riverland Energy are located. Per zoning regulations, industrial use is not permitted in ANR-40 or ANR-20 zoning districts. These re-zones conform to the Buffalo County Zoning Ordinance, and the Zoning Department doesn’t have any issues with these re-zones. Mr. Lindstrom made a motion to approve the ordinance to amend the Buffalo County Zoning District Map for Town of Lincoln. Mr. Lindstrom then stated as follows: Information presented during meetings on this matter indicates that the application aligns with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, incorporates the Town Board’s neutral recommendation as provided through the Town Acknowledgement Form, and is consistent with the Buffalo County Land Use Plan. The proposed zoning classification is compatible with adjacent zoning districts and existing land uses. Public testimony was taken into consideration, along with input from Zoning Department staff, and the proposal was evaluated in terms of its impact on the community, general welfare, and economic considerations. The proposed use is identified as a permitted Industrial Land Use and therefore constitutes a conforming use under the Buffalo County Zoning Ordinance. A motion is made to approve the proposed rezoning in the Town of Lincoln. Mr. Bruegger seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Ruff – yes, Mr. Stanton – no, Mr. Bork – yes, Ms. McDonough – yes, Mr. Nathan Nelson – yes, Mr. Sendelbach – yes, Mr. Michaels – yes, Mr. Steve Nelson – yes, Mr. Weiss – yes, Mr. Bruegger – yes, Mr. Taylor – yes, Ms. McMillan Urell – yes, Mr. Lindstrom – yes. Carried. Review/Discussion/Action Regarding Ordinance #26-04-02 An Ordinance to Amend the Official “Buffalo County Zoning District Map” – Town of Mondovi: Mr. Michaels made a motion to approve the ordinance to amend the Buffalo County Zoning District Map for Town of Mondovi. Mr. Michaels then stated as follows: Based on the information presented, the application is consistent with the Town Comprehensive Plan, the Town Board’s supportive recommendation as submitted through the Town Acknowledgement Form, and the Buffalo County Land Use Plan. The proposed zoning is compatible with surrounding zoning districts and existing land uses. Relevant public input has been considered, along with input from Zoning Department staff, and the proposal was evaluated with respect to community interest, general welfare, and economic impacts. The proposed use is classified as a permitted Industrial Land Use and is therefore conforming under the Buffalo County Zoning Ordinance. I move to approve the proposed rezoning in the Town of Mondovi. Mr. Sendelbach seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Lindstrom – yes, Mr. Bruegger – yes, Ms. McDonough – yes, Mr. Michaels – yes, Ms. McMillan Urell – yes, Mr. Taylor – yes, Mr. Stanton – no, Mr. Steve Nelson – yes, Mr. Nathan Nelson – yes, Mr. Ruff – yes, Mr. Weiss – yes, Mr. Bork – yes, Mr. Sendelbach – yes. Carried. Review/Discussion/Action Regarding Ordinance #26-04-03 An Ordinance to Amend the Official “Buffalo County Zoning District Map” – Town of Nelson: Mr. Weiss made a motion to approve the ordinance to amend the Buffalo County Zoning District Map for Town of Nelson. Mr. Weiss then stated as follows: The proposed rezoning is consistent with the Farmland Preservation Plan, which is intended to safeguard prime agricultural soils. The proposal in the Town of Nelson does not affect any prime farmland soils. It will not restrict future agricultural activities, and the subject parcels have not historically been utilized for agricultural production. The proposal is not expected to result in unreasonable water pollution, air pollution, soil erosion, or negative impacts to rare or irreplaceable natural resources. Alternative sites were considered and determined to not be cost effective, and the proposal does not expand the existing footprint currently used for utility purposes. No productive agricultural land will be impacted or involved. The proposal is consistent with the goals and intent of the Buffalo County Comprehensive Land Use Plan. I make a motion to approve the proposed rezoning in the Town of Nelson. Mr. Ruff seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Bork – yes, Mr. Nathan Nelson – yes, Mr. Taylor – yes, Mr. Steve Nelson – yes, Mr. Weiss – yes, Mr. Stanton – no, Mr. Michaels – yes, Mr. Ruff – yes, Ms. McMillan Urell – yes, Mr. Lindstrom – yes, Mr. Bruegger – yes, Ms. McDonough – yes, Mr. Sendelbach – yes. Carried. Chairperson’s Report: None. Committee Chair Reports: Ms. McMillan Urell noted that the Health and Human Services – Veterans Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, April 8th. County Administrator Report: Mr. Engfer reported that the seasonal road restrictions will be lifted tomorrow. The next Highway Committee meeting will be on April 14th at the courthouse instead of the highway shop. There are no registered write-ins for the April 7th election for the vacant County Board District 14 position. Mr. Engfer was in Madison last week for a bill signing regarding utility tax. Both he and Chair Bork are part of a utility tax board and the signing of this bill is a positive for all involved. Ms. McMillan Urell and Mr. Hadley were again thanked for their service to the county as supervisors. Public Comments Unrelated to Agenda Items: None. Next Meeting Date and Time: The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. Meeting adjourned at 9:12 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lisa Schmitt
 County Clerk