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Price County · Price County · meeting of Mar 12, 2026 · Minutes
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Price County Executive Committee Minutes
Date: March 12, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Place: Courthouse County Board Room 101; 126 Cherry St; Phillips, WI 54555
Meeting called to Order: Called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Brian Ernst, County Chair.
Roll Call
Members Present: Alan Barkstrom, Doug Erickson, Brian Ernst, Jeff Hallstrand, Larry Palecek
Also Present: Paula Houdek, County Supervisor (Remote); Sylvia Kerner, Register of Deeds; Carrie Kyle,
County Finance Director; Renée Leinfelder, County Treasurer; Nick Trimner, County Administrator
Items For Discussion and Possible Action
1. Public Comment and Communications: None.
2. Meeting Minutes February 12, 2026:
Motion Palecek/Barkstrom to approve the February 12, 2026, meeting minutes. Motion carried.
3. Treasurer Report
a. Monthly reports: Presented the Financial Report for the Month Ending February, 2026, including
Investment Accounts, Checking Accounts, and Loans and Debt Service. Also presented the Price
County Treasurer Report including Revenues and Disbursements. Both reports are on file. In March,
the County opened a new Certificate of Deposit (CD) at Prevail Bank on the first business day of March
for 24 months at 4%APY, which was the highest interest rate. Discussion on pricing out for CD interest
rates, savings account rates, and accounting for the revenue earned.
b. Delinquent Taxes and In Rem – 2022 Start: Presented the In Rem Delinquent 2022 Taxes list of
parcels, and the report is on file. The report listed 55 properties, and that amount was down to 53 at
the time of the meeting. Next steps include receipt of all finalized reports from the title company (only
three outstanding), next go through the court system, then publish the In Rem list in the newspaper,
and finally begin the County’s In Rem process for Land Sales.
4. Register of Deeds Office
a. Updates: In February the Register of Deeds (ROD) recorded 266 documents; processed 46 vital
records applications and issued 192 certificates. About $7.4 million was conveyed in straight sales
through those recordings. The Real Property Lister is on maternity leave. All records are officially
updated through the ROD Office, and the website will be updated beginning in June. Discussion on
creating a GIS Mapping specialist position at the County who could also cover the RPL office. The
County currently outsources GIS mapping through a third-party vendor.
5. Office of Administration
a. 2026 Monthly Financial Reports: Reviewed the Executive Summary Report for December 2025
and February 2026. The report is on file.
b. Audit Request For Proposal (RFP) Timeline: Presented the Audit Request For Proposal (RFP)
and it is on file. Every few years the County will do its due diligence to request proposals from qualified
firms of certified public accountants (CPAs) to provide professional audit services. This RFP applies
to the County’s fiscal years ending December 31, 2026, 2027, and 2028; with a selection deadline of
July 2026. The County is searching for a firm to include services: “(1) a countywide annual financial
statement audit, (2) Single Audit services for federal and state programs as required, (3) an audit of
the Highway Department business-type activities (proprietary activities), and (4) preparation of the
annual Municipal Financial Report (MFR) – Form A and related filing support.” The RFP goes on to
provide: County Background; Scope of Services; Auditing Standards; Contract Term; Schedule and
Key Dates, highlighting interviews on May 11, 2026, and possibly June 11, 2026; Assistance to the
Auditor; Proposal Requirements and Format; Submission Instructions; Evaluation and Selection;
County Rights and Conditions; Required Insurance and Contracting; and Addendums attached.
c. Updates: Update on Forest Carbon Credits from Anew regarding the County’s participation in the
voluntary carbon market under the American Carbon Registry (ACR) Improved Forest Management
(IFM) program. The Price County Forestry and Parks Administrator has signed off on the project.
6. Clerk’s Office
a. Updates: Everything is on schedule for the election, which is April 7th. Municipalities have been
picking up their ballots in the office. Absentee ballots are set to be sent out on March 17th as per state
statutes. The media cards for the voting machines are next to be shipped from our vendor and then
we will alert municipalities to pick them up in our office. Attended the 2026 WCCO Conference March
3rd & 4th. There will be a new system update for vital records called WAVE and it’s scheduled to roll
out in summer.
7. Bug Tussel Tower Project Update: A meeting was held with Bug Tussel engineers and County
Administration. Discussed concerns about the future of the Bug Tussel 2, LLC Project. Discussion on
the Law Enforcement Committee’s RFP for a consultant for purchasing radio technology since it is
related the Bug Tussel’s project. The RFP was forwarded to the next Executive Committee meeting in
April.
8. Monthly Vouchers:
Motion Hallstrand/Erickson to accept the monthly Executive Committee vouchers in the amount of
$2,064,665.07 for February 2026. Discussion held. Motion carried.
9. Date of Next Meeting: April 16, 2026. Budget amendments will be on the agenda. Sidenote: Expressed
gratitude to the Highway Commissioner for his explanation of posted roads due to annual Spring
breakup.
10. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 10:41 a.m. by Brian Ernst, Committee Chair.
Respectfully Submitted by Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk
Source: Price County website. First collected Oct 19, 2026.