_06162026-1689

PRICE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES Date: June 16, 2026 Time: 9:00 a.m. Place: Courthouse County Board Room 101; 126 Cherry St; Phillips, WI 54555 Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Brian Ernst, County Chairperson. Invocation: Invocation prayer by Pastor Larry Tenut. Pledge of Allegiance: Recited by those in attendance. Roll Call Members Present (12): Jenifer Baratka, Joe Baratka, Michelle Drobnik, Doug Erickson, Brian Ernst, Paula Houdek, Robert Kopisch, Larry Palecek, Jordan Spacek, Patricia Stephan, Jeff Ulrich (Remote), Dennis Wartgow Also present: Nick Trimner, County Administrator Communications and Announcements: None. Public Comments: Waldemar Madsen from the City of Phillips commented publicly on a non-agenda item Senator for the 23 rd District, Romaine Quinn, from Birchwood, Wisconsin, commented publicly on a non- agenda item. Presentations 1. Employee Recognitions: County employees celebrating one- year anniversar ies: Kristen Overturff, Family Skills Worker; and Logan Schmoeger, Sheriff’s Deputy. Employee celebrating her five-year anniversary: Makala Williams, Public Health Nurse. Employees celebrating 10-year anniversaries: Margaret McCulloch, Sub Home- Delivered Meals Driver; Todd Timmers, Building Maintenance Technician. Employee celebrating her 35-year anniversary: Sarah Reese- Socha, Health and Human Services Director. Approval of the Minutes 1. May 19, 2026, Meeting Minutes Motion Houdek/Wartgow to approve the May 19, 2026, Price County Board of Supervisors meeting minutes as presented. Roll call vote to approve the minutes: Yes (12): Jenifer Baratka, Joe Baratka, Drobnik, Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich (Remote), Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. Resolutions 1. 9-26 Adopt Revised Price County Employee Handbook (Administration): Submitted by the Price County Administration Committee. s/ Dennis War tgow, Chairperson; Joseph Baratka (excused); Paula Houdek; Jordan Spacek (excused); Jeff Ulrich . Reviewed by County Administrator: s/Nicholas Trimner. Approved as to form by Corporation Counsel: s/Megan Norris. Adopted by the Price County Board of Supervisors on this 16th day of June 2026. s/Brian Ernst, County Board Chair; s/Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk. Motion Wartgow/Houdek to consider the resolution for adoption. Roll call vote: Yes (12): Jenifer Baratka, Joe Baratka, Drobnik , Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich (Remote), Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. 2. 10-26 Approve Revisions to the Fiscal Policy Handbook (Executive): Submitted by the Price County Executive Committee. s/Brian Ernst, Chairperson; Michelle Drobnik; Paula Houdek; Larry Palecek; Jordan Spacek. Reviewed by County Administrator: s/Nicholas Trimner. Approved as to form by Corporation Counsel: s/Megan Norris. Adopted by the Price County Board of Supervisors on this 16th day of June 2026. s/Brian Ernst, County Board Chair; s/Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk. Motion Spacek/Drobnik to consider the resolution for adoption. Roll call vote: Yes (12 ): Jenifer Baratka, Joe Baratka, Drobnik , Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich (Remote), Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. 3. 11-26 Appointment of Price County Audit Firm 2026-2028 (Executive): Submitted by the Price County Executive Committee. s/Brian Ernst, Chairperson; Michelle Drobnik; Paula Houdek; Larry Palecek; Jordan Spacek. Reviewed by County Administrator: s/Nicholas Trimner. Approved as to form by Corporation Counsel: s/Megan Norris. Adopted by the Price County Board of Supervisors on this 16th day of June 2026. s/Brian Ernst, County Board Chair; s/Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk. Motion Drobnik/Spacek to consider the resolution for adoption. Roll call vote: Yes (12 ): Jenifer Baratka, Joe Baratka, Drobnik , Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich (Remote), Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. 4. 12-26 2025 Transfer of the Highway Equipment Fund (Executive): Submitted by the Price County Executive Committee. s/Brian Ernst, Chairperson; Michelle Drobnik; Paula Houdek; Larry Palecek; Jordan Spacek. Reviewed by County Administrator: s/Nicholas Trimner. Approved as to form by Corporation Counsel: s/Megan Norris. Adopted by the Price County Board of Supervisors on this 16th day of June 2026. s/Brian Ernst, County Board Chair; s/Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk. Motion Baratka/Drobnik to consider the resolution for adoption. Roll call vote: Yes (12): Jenifer Baratka, Joe Baratka, Drobnik , Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich (Remote), Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. 5. 13-26 2025 Transfer of the Highway Facilities Fund (Executive): Submitted by the Price County Executive Committee. s/Brian Ernst, Chairperson; Michelle Drobnik; Paula Houdek; Larry Palecek; Jordan Spacek. Reviewed by County Administrator: s/Nicholas Trimner. Approved as to form by Corporation Counsel: s/Megan Norris. Adopted by the Price County Board of Supervisors on this 16th day of June 2026. s/Brian Ernst, County Board Chair; s/Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk. Motion Houdek/Baratka to consider the resolution for adoption. Roll call vote: Yes (12): Jenifer Baratka, Joe Baratka, Drobnik , Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich (Remote), Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. Appointments 1. District Five (5) County Board Supervisor Vote: Appoint Preston Scheuermann: Motion Wartgow/Houdek to approve the appointment of Preston Scheuermann to the District Five (5) County Board Supervisor position. Roll call vote: Yes (12): Jenifer Baratka, Joe Baratka, Drobnik, Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich (Remote), Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. 2. Travel Northwest Wisconsin Board Appointments: Nick Trimner 3. Travel Northwest Wisconsin Tourism Committee Appointments : Johnathan McArthur Director, Phillips Area Chamber of Commerce 4. Price County Board of Adjustment (Term to Expire 7/1/2029): Thomas Frane, Mark Luoma, Mark Brzeskiewicz: Appointments for items two (2), three (3), and four (4) were presented and are on file. Committee of the Whole: Convened into the Committee of the Whole at 9:30 a.m. 1. Board Chair Report a. Updates: The Board Chair has attended June Committee meetings and tended to various personnel issues. Corporation Counsel has put in their notice. There has been no update from UTAV since the last County Board Meeting. Preston Scheuermann, the newly appointed District Five (5) Supervisor has been appointed to the F orestry and Administration Committees. Planning to attend the Wisconsin Counties Association District Conference in Hayward, and the Northwest Regional Planning Committee meeting also in Hayward. The Board Chair is satisfied with how the draw for August Primary ballot placement was conducted. b. Bug Tussel Updates: No new updates from Bug Tussel on the wireless tower project that was contracted roughly two years ago. The County has communicated to Bug Tussel that they’re looking at getting out of the bond agreement with them before they begin using it. Bug Tussel’s project could have saved the County roughly two million dollars in costs associated with tower construction. 2. County Administrator’s Report a. 2026 Financial Summary/Updates: The 2026 Financial Summary Report was presented and is on file. Fund balances and information were thoroughly discussed for the General Fund, Health and Human Services, Other Funds, Price County Cash, Price County Sales Tax, Price County Stumpage Sales 2019- 2026, High- Cost Placement – Children and Youth, High-Cost Placement – AODA, and Health Insurance 2026. 3. Committee Chair Reports a. Administration: Met on June 9th. Next meeting on August 11th, unless necessary on July 14th. Finalized changes in the Employee Handbook. Developed a procedure for setting future elected wages. Updates given on insurance and eligibility audits by an independent company. b. Executive: Met on June 11th. Next meeting on July 16th. The Treasurers reports and In Rem reports were presented and are on file. Heard updates from the Clerk’s office. Received the Executive Financial Reports for 2026. National Forest Title Three, annual federal grant money, was approved for use to update the recreation officer’s patrolling boat and to upgrade deputy officer patrol rifles. Four resolutions were reviewed and presented at the County Board meeting today. Heard updates on the Request for Proposals for consultants. Discussed what to do about the Bug Tussel tower project. c. Forestry & Parks / Buildings & Grounds : No meeting was held in June. Next meeting on July 7th. d. Health and Human Services: No meeting was held in June. Next meeting on July 8th. e. Highway & Transportation: No meeting was held in June. Next meeting on August 5th, unless necessary on July 1st. The Highway Department has been assisting Lincoln County on Hwy YY, between Hwy 8 and Hwy 86; shoulder grading on all count y Hwys; T own of Eisenstein completed ditching for a C ounty project ; Dan Heenan retired and Mike Ball started work as the new Fleet and Facilities Superintendent. All State and County trucks are ready for summer use. A new pickup truck was delivered. Mowing and hole-filling at the airport. Dams are in good condition overall with crack repair, inspection and minor patching scheduled. f. Land Use & UW-Extension: Held two meetings, May 21st and June 9th. Next meeting on June 18th. After a two-hour meeting with over 60 attendees in the public, the additional meeting was scheduled to discuss a contentious issue involving proposed Conditional Use Permits (CUP) for a gravel pit, reclamation plan, and asphalt plant on E. Solberg Lake Road. The Asphalt Plant CUP was revoked by the applicant. The committee passed a proposed list of 15 conditions applicable to the gravel pit. If the landowner applying for the CUP for the gravel pit agrees to the list of conditions , Act 67 necessitates that the Committee agrees to the CUP, unless there’s substantial evidence to deny the permit. The Committee may decide on the aforementioned CUP this Thursday, June 18th. g. Law Enforcement: No meeting was held in June. Next meeting on August 6th, unless necessary on July 2 nd. The Sheriff’s Department held a brat feed fundraiser, and it was well attended. Deputy Weisnick officially retired yesterday, after 25 years of service. Convene out of Committee of the Whole: Convened out of the Committee of the Whole at 10:15 a.m. Date of Next Meeting : August 18, 2026, Business Meeting at 9:00 a.m. in the County Courthouse Boardroom Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 10:16 a.m. by Brian Ernst, County Board Chairperson. Respectfully submitted by Meredith Hueckman, Price County Clerk Resolution Index: Resolution No.: 09 - 26 Adopt Revised Price County Employee Handbook WHEREAS, the Administration Committee has been charged by the Price County Board of Supervisors with the responsibility of developing, maintaining and enforcing policies and guidelines for personnel management and has also been charged with the responsibility of periodically reviewing said policies and procedures; and WHEREAS, the Price County Board of Supervisors previously adopted the Price County Employee Handbook on November 12, 2025; and WHEREAS, the Administration Committee has determined the need for various additions and/or edits to the language in the existing policies; and WHEREAS, the Administration Committee has reviewed and approved the attached revisions to the Price County Employee Handbook and recommends them for adoption by the Price County Board of Supervisors. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Price County Board of Supervisors adopt the revisions to the Price County Employee Handbook as presented, with an effective date of June 16, 2026. Submitted by the Price County Administration Committee. Resolution No.: 10 - 26 Approve Revisions to the Fiscal Policy Handbook WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors previously adopted the Price County Fiscal Policy Handbook on August 19, 2025; and WHEREAS, the purpose of this revision is to make language updates, procedural updates and incorporate changes as approved by the County Board of Supervisors; and WHEREAS, the approved revised manual will be forwarded to the Price County Board of Supervisors for adoption at their meeting on June 16, 2026. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Price County Board of Supervisors hereby approve the proposed revisions to the Price County Fiscal Policy Handbook to be presented in final form for adoption at the June 16, 2026, County Board Meeting. Submitted by the Price County Executive Committee: Resolution No.: 11 - 26 Appointment of Price County Audit Firm WHEREAS, there are numerous requirements for Price County to have an annual financial audit performed; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the County Board to appoint the county’s audit firm with the installation of each new board; and WHEREAS, the Executive Committee, along with recommendation from the County Administrator, determined that the current firm we have contracted with is doing a satisfactory job. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Kerber Rose SC is hereby designated Price County’s audit firm for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2026, through 2028, or such time as the Board wishes to make a change; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED Price County agrees that the annual fees will not exceed $ 73,460 and $76,500 and $79,250 respectively. Submitted by the Price County Executive Committee: Resolution No.: 12 - 26 2025 Transfer of the Highway Equipment Fund WHEREAS, the Price County Board of Supervisors approved resolution #9- 14, Non-Lapsing Committed Highway Equipment Fund Policy (amended September 15, 2015; September 19, 2017, and August 21, 2018); and WHEREAS, resolution #9- 14 calls for providing a funding mechanism in development of a Non- Lapsing Committed Equipment Fund; and WHEREAS, the gross receipts from sale of Highway equipment for 2025 was $93,719 and the amount of depreciation recorded for 2025 was $500,388 and the net amount of any profit from the annual equipment audit for 2025 not to exceed net operating income per the audit report for matching revenues (cash in) with expenditures (cash out) was $194,627. Plus loan proceeds per resolution 30- 24 for yellow equipment was $500,000, and loan proceeds per resolution #28- 25 for a 2 nd truck was $350,000. Less the equipment purchases of $1,259,376 resulting in a transfer amount of $379,358 into the Highway Equipment Fund from the Highway General Fund. WHEREAS, such transfer shall not reduce the general cash fund below $600,000; and WHEREAS, the designated transfer of $379,358 would bring the 2025 ending equipment fund balance to $504,520 and the January 2026 ending general cash fund to $7,008,952. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the amount of $379,358 be transferred from the Highway General Fund into the Highway Equipment Fund for the year 2025. Submitted by the Price County Executive Committee. Resolution No.: 13 - 26 2025 Transfer of the Highway Facilities Fund WHEREAS, the Price County Board of Supervisors approved resolution #20- 15, Creating a Non- Lapsing Committed Fund for Highway Buildings and Grounds Facilities; and WHEREAS, the Price County Board of Supervisors approved resolution #21- 15, Non-Lapsing Committed Highway Facilities Fund for Buildings and Grounds Guidelines; and WHEREAS, resolution #21 -15 calls for providing a funding mechanism in development of a Non- Lapsing Committed Facilities Fund; and WHEREAS, upon review of the 2024 transfer, it was determined that depreciation was incorrectly recorded at $106,486 when the correct amount should have been $112,553, resulting in underfunding the Facilities Fund in the amount of $6,067; and WHEREAS, the 2025 DOT storage reimbursements were $107,425 and the amount of depreciation recorded was $125,447 and the amount of expenditures was $143,695 resulting in additional funding of $89,177: and WHEREAS, the 2024 adjustment of $6,067 together with the 2025 funding requirement of $89,177 results in a total transfer of $95,244 from the General Fund to the Facilities Fund; and WHEREAS, such transfer will not cause the Highway Facility Fund balance to go above the established maximum fund balance of $300,000; and WHEREAS, the designated transfer of $95,244 would bring the 2025 ending Facilities Fund balance to $104,254 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the amount of $95,244 be transferred from the Highway General Fund to Highway Facilities Fund for the year 2025. Submitted by the Price County Executive Committee.