Economic Development & UW-Extension Committee — Minutes

Minutes of the May 11, 2026 Meeting of the Sawyer County Economic Development and UW-Extension Committee of the Sawyer County Board of Supervisors Board Room; Sawyer County Voting Committee Members Present: Others Present: John Righeimer Mike Markgren Brian Priester Stacey Hessel Laura Bruce Adam Lamoureaux Jim Miller Mindy Simons Sheldon Johnson Steve Longtine Lori Baltrusis Donna Knuckey Randy Neumann Tawonga Zakeyu Call to Order – Elected Official Deputy Clerk Laura Bruce called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. Certification of Compliance with the open meeting law was met. Roll Call was taken. Quorum was met. Election of Committee Chair & Vice Chair— Ms. Hessel nominated Mr. Righeimer for Chair, second by Mr. Longtine. No other nominations being received, voting proceeded by secret ballot. Ballots were collected by Clerk Klein, tallied by Clerks Klein and Bruce, and Mr. Righeimer was unanimously elected Chair of the Economic Development/UWEX Committee. Mr. Longtine nominated Ms. Hessel for Vice Chair, second by Mr. Righeimer. No other nominations being received, voting proceeded by secret ballot. Ballots were collected by Clerk Klein, tallied by Clerks Klein and Bruce, and Ms. Hessel was unanimously elected Vice Chair of the Economic Development/UWEX Committee. The meeting was handed over to Chairman Righeimer’ Meeting Agenda -- Set Public Comments – None. Minutes from the previous meeting dated: April 6, 2026 Motion to approve made by: Mr. Neumann Second by: Ms. Hessel Motion carried without negative vote. University of Wisconsin-Extension Report—Ms. Baltrusis welcomed the new board members and gave a brief introduction of what the department does. She spoke of the Strategic plan and introduced Ms. Zakeyu and Ms. Knuckey. Ms. Knuckey spoke of PYD (positive youth development) and the 4-H Beyond Ready Framework, and updated the board on upcoming events. Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau Report— Ms. Simons reported on the Governor’s Fishing Opener, which included list of weekend activities and attendance. NWRPC Report— Mr. Johnson gave a brief introduction to the committee on what NWRPC does and an update on current projects. He discussed the CDBG program ending and a new program contracted with Douglas County beginning July first. The new program will be a zero percent interest, twenty-year loan for income qualified applicants. SC Economic Development Corporation Report— Mr. Lamoureaux said goodbye to the board and introduced Mr. Priester as his replacement. He reported as of the April meeting, the committee name will no longer include LCO . Mr. Priester introduced himself to the committee. Trail Reports-- Motorized— Mr. Neumann stated there was no report as the trails do not open until May 15th. Non-Motorized trails—Mr. Miller had nothing to report. Board Appointed Committee Updates – No reports Correspondence, Reports from Conferences— None Future Agenda Items – None Adjournment – 9:28 am Meeting Date/Time – The next meeting of the Economic Development and UW-Extension Committee will be Monday, June 8, 2026 at 8:30 am in the Board Room. Minutes recorded by Laura Bruce, Elected Official Deputy Clerk