September 2026 LWUWEX Minutes

Land & Water and UW-Extension Committee September 15th, 2026, 8:15 A.M. In Person at County Board Room, Montello WI. Meeting was virtual/recorded. Meeting Minutes Present: Ken Borzick, John Bennett, Larry Haygood, Pat Kilbey, Ron Barger, Lance Achterberg, Pat Wagner Chair Borzick called the Meeting to Order Motion Bennett, 2nd Borzick to approve Agenda as presented. Motion Carried. Motion Bennett, 2nd Haygood to approve August 2026 Land Conservation/UW Extension Minutes. Motion Carried Citizen Comments: Achterberg informed committee of Mercury Marine doing testing outboard motors by going through thick weed growth on Buffalo Lake. Public is asking involved municipalities to send a letter to Mercury. Discussion was had on bottom sediment/nutrient disruption and the effect on water quality. Committee agreed to have Kilbey draft letter to Mercury describing the detrimental effects on water quality. Achterberg will reach out to Mercury to open lines of communication on the matter and discuss findings with Kilbey prior to drafting letter. Discussion followed. LWCD Report: Kilbey reminded committee about the Soil Health Assessment field day at Russel Farms Sept. 17th. Discussion followed. Kilbey presented proposed 2027 Department budget. Proposed budget is a decrease of $10,387 over current 2026 budget with a 2027 levy amount of $96,706. Kilbey explained they were ordered to increase revenues and decrease spending which was accomplished with proposed budget. Discussion followed. Motion Bennett, 2nd Haygood to approve 2027 Land & Water Conservation budget and forward to County Board for approval. Motion Carried August 2026 expenses were reviewed and discussed. UW-Extension Department: Wagner presented the proposed 2027 UW Extension Department budget. Discussion followed. Motion by Bennett, 2nd by Borzick to approve 2027 UW Extension budget and forward to the Executive and Finance Committee for approval. Motion carried. August 2026 vouchers/ monthly expenses were reviewed and discussed. Next meeting will be October 13, 2026 at 8:15 a.m. Meeting adjourned by Chair Borzick. Respectfully submitted, Pat Kilbey, Land and Water Conservation Department Pat Wagner, UW-Extension Department