Special Town Board Meeting Minutes 3-25-26

TOWN OF PRESQUE ISLE 8306 School Loop Rd Presque Isle, WI SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES March 25, 2026 Location Presque Isle Town Hall / Zoom Presiding Officer Allen Eschenbauch, Chairman Present • Allen Eschenbauch, Chairman • Cathy Logan-Weber, Supervisor • Carl Wolter, Supervisor Also Present • Eric Scarboro, Security Health (Presenter) Call to Order The Special Town Board Meeting of the Town of Presque Isle was called to order by Chairman Allen Eschenbauch at approximately 9:00 a.m. The meeting was conducted in person at the Town Hall with Zoom access available. 1. Employee Health Insurance Renewal – Presentation and Action Eric Scarboro, representing Security Health Plan, presented the Town’s employee health insurance renewal options. The Town’s current plan is a grandfathered (pre-ACA) plan. ACA renewal notices received from Security Health Plan do not apply and may be disregarded. The existing plan includes a $2,500 individual / $5,000 family deductible with access to Aspirus, Marshfield, Mayo, and UW health systems. Two renewal options were presented: 1. Maintain the current plan with a 5.19% premium increase; or 2. Increase the deductible to $3,000 to eliminate the premium increase. Switching to an ACA-compliant plan was not recommended due to estimated premium increases of 40–50% or more. The renewal deadline is May 1, 2026, with changes required by approximately April 23, 2026. The Board expressed support for Option 1, noting the premium increase was consistent with prior years, the deductible-increase option could be preserved for future consideration if claims increase, and the 2026 budget had anticipated a higher increase. A Zoom participant noted comparable employers in the Madison area are experiencing increases of 20% or more. Mr. Scarboro will provide a comparison summary to the Clerk by the end of the week. A Board member also volunteered to research the Wisconsin State Employee Health Plan as a potential future alternative. Motion: Chairman Eschenbauch moved to retain the current Security Health Plan for Town employees with a 5.19% premium increase effective May 1, 2026. Second: Supervisor Wolter. Vote: Passed unanimously. Motion carried. 2. Job Description – Deputy Clerk of Elections Supervisor Logan-Weber presented a proposed job description for the position of Deputy Clerk of Elections. The description was developed with input from election officials and is specific to election-related duties, not a general deputy clerk position. Under Wisconsin law, the Town Clerk has authority to appoint a deputy clerk. The Deputy Clerk of Elections works under the supervision of the Clerk, not directly under the Town Board. The individual currently serving in the role has completed the required six-hour training and has been assisting with election duties. Discussion included clarification of language stating, “other duties the Clerk and Town Board may assign,” noting the use of “and” requires mutual agreement. Motion: Chairman Eschenbauch moved to approve the Deputy Clerk of Elections job description as presented. Second: Supervisor Logan-Weber. Vote: Passed unanimously. Motion carried. 3. Ordinance Committee Request – Slow/No-Wake Buoys on Annabelle Lake The Board discussed a prior initiative to authorize slow/no-wake buoys on Annabelle Lake. While the concept had been previously approved, the Department of Natural Resources indicated that a formal town ordinance is required rather than a Memorandum of Understanding. Sample ordinance language has been obtained from nearby communities. The designation would apply to specific shoreline areas and is expected to benefit anglers without restricting fishing access. Motion: Supervisor Logan-Weber moved to forward a request to the Ordinance Committee to draft a slow/no-wake buoy ordinance for Annabelle Lake. Second: Chairman Eschenbauch. Vote: Passed unanimously (3-0). Motion carried. 4. New Business – Pipke Park Restoration Committee: Wetland Permit Consultant The Board considered a request from the Pipke Park Restoration Committee to hire a consultant to review a wetland permit application prior to submission to the DNR. The application has largely been completed in-house, avoiding higher engineering costs. The Committee requested authorization to hire Ann T., an experienced wetland permit consultant, at an estimated cost of $600, not to exceed $1,200. A signed contract was available pending Board approval. Motion: Chairman Eschenbauch moved to authorize the Pipke Park Restoration Committee to hire a wetland permit consultant at a cost of $600, not to exceed $1,200. Second: Supervisor Logan-Weber. Vote: Two ayes; Supervisor Wolter abstained. Motion carried. 5. Boardroom Television Purchase Supervisor Logan-Weber presented a proposal to purchase a television and related accessories to improve meeting functionality, including screen sharing during Finance Committee and Town Board meetings. Estimated costs included: • 65-inch smart television • Wall mount • Docking station • Cables The total estimated cost is not to exceed $1,000, which is included in the current budget. Motion: Supervisor Wolter moved to authorize the purchase of a television and related accessories for the boardroom, not to exceed $1,000. Second: Supervisor Logan-Weber. Vote: Passed unanimously. Motion carried. 6. Pay Rates – Substitute Employees Chairman Eschenbauch presented proposed hourly pay rates for substitute employees covering: • Transfer Station Attendant Substitute: $19.73/hour • Building Maintenance & Park Worker Substitute: $21.50/hour The Board noted substitute coverage for building maintenance had not previously been budgeted and agreed to include it in future budgets. Motion: Chairman Eschenbauch moved to establish substitute pay rates as presented. Second: Supervisor Wolter. Vote: Passed unanimously. Motion carried. 7. Future Agenda Items Items identified for future consideration include: • Potential change of the Treasurer position from elected to appointed • Committee member recruitment • Finalization of employee contracts • Economic Development Corporation bylaws update 8. Board Correspondence Board correspondence was reviewed. No specific items were noted. 9. Public Comment None. 10. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:05 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori Thomas, Town Clerk