Administration Committee — Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of the May 14, 2026 Sawyer County Administration Committee of the Sawyer County Board of Supervisors Board Room; Sawyer County Voting Committee Members (X) Present: Others Present: Chair: Ron Kinsley Mike Markgren Mike Coleson Nicole Clapero- Virtual Vice Chair: Ron Buckholtz Liz Klein Marshal Savitski Gary Elliot Kay Wilson- Virtual John Righeimer Rose Lillyroot Carson Kipfer Stacey Hessel Call to Order –Chair Ron Kinsley called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. Certification of Compliance with the open meeting law was met. Roll Call taken; quorum was met. Meeting Agenda – Set Public Comments – Minutes from the previous meeting dated: April 9, 2026 Motion to approve by: Mr. Buckholtz Second by: Mr. Righeimer Motion carried without negative vote. County Clerk Report- Ms. Klein provided a written department report and updated the committee on April department revenues. Veterans Service Office Report - Mr. Elliot provided a written report of April department activity: 499 phone calls, 1,157 letters/emails/faxes sent and 232 office visits. 65 disability claims have been filed to date with $241,664.06 awarded in Veterans’ favor. The department is co-hosting counseling sessions at La Crosse Vet Center and Coffee & Conversation; the social media report was provided. Mr. Elliot and Ms. Clapero attended a spring conference. The workload for disability claims continues to increase. Veteran’s Tribute Update- Design/construction update- Quotes were received for flatwork and lighting. An issue arose with the site grade and an architect is needed to proceed. A nearby project was proposed to the public and local stakeholders by Carson Kipfer that could potentially impact the original tribute plan. Mr. Kipfer was invited to have a discussion with the Admin committee and explore the possibility of collaboration. Mr. Kipfer presented his idea for a pedestrian plaza that would restore a greenspace and historical gateway to Main St.; his plan involves keeping the fountain in its original location. Ms. Hessel objected to changing the design and the timeline on the county project because it has already been approved and is in progress. Mr. Kipfer concluded that the projects are two separate concepts and could proceed separately, and if the fountain is spoken for, the plaza can proceed without that element. Ms. Hessel raised objections to the Administrator’s role and stated the Supervisors voted to proceed with the first design. Information Technology Department Report - Mr. Coleson provided a written IT report on ongoing IT projects and updated the committee on upgrading internet at satellite sites, email security, and TRH billing. Human Resources Report - A written report was provided on staffing and recruiting for open positions within the county. Ms. Lillyroot provided an update to the personnel policy manual regarding county staff use of AI platforms. A motion was made by Ms. Hessel to approve the policy, second by Marshal Savitski. Following brief discussion that included board policy, Clerk Klein asked for clarification on which policy was being approved because the next item was the Supervisors Policy and Procedure Manual. Discussion followed: proposed Board Policy and Procedure changes were discussed. Ms. Hessel rescinded her motion and amended to table the personnel policy updates until June, second by Mr. Buckholtz. Motion carried without negative vote. Clerk Klein stated that revisions should be made and reviewed prior to committee action on the Supervisors Policy and Procedures Manual. Ms. Hessel moved to table the Supervisors Policy and Procedures Manual until June, second by Marshal Savitski. Motion carried without negative vote. Resolution 2026-____Requesting Greater Local Control for Wisconsin Counties was approved on a motion by: Mr. Righeimer Second by: Mr. Savitski Motion carried without negative vote. County Administrator’s Report—Mr. Markgren updated the committee on planned leadership training for an upcoming Department Head meeting, economic development and marketing events, the upcoming audit and 2027 Budget preparation, collaborative efforts with LCO Tribal Members to open ATV/UTV routes on LCO land, attending a BOA airport conference where the county was awarded Project of the Year for the runway resurfacing project, a meeting with Anew on marketing carbon credits, the CJCC TAD grant application and shared that Judges Isham and Smith recognized Melinda Hoyos for great work on truancy and diversion efforts. Board Appointed Committee Updates – Proposed new ATV/UTV routes were approved at Public Works and will go to the County Board Correspondence, reports from conferences and meetings– Information requested on the fall WCA Conference Future Agenda Items- Personnel Policy Manual, Board Policy and Procedures Adjournment – 11:26 am Next Meeting: June 11, 2026 Time: 10:00 am Location: Board Room Minutes recorded by Liz Klein, County Clerk