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PRICE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES Date: May 19, 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 (Remote), 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: Carrie Kyle, County Finance Director; Megan Norris, County Corporation Counsel ; Nick Trimner, County Administrator. Communications and Announcements: The Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) Annual Business Meeting Deadline for submitting resolutions for adoption is June 22, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Public Comments: Ginny Strobl from the Town of Georgetown commented publicly on agenda item entitled “Ordinance to Amend Price County Ordinance Section 223-44.1: Habitual Animal Offender.” Shirley Smith from the City of Phillips commented publicly on agenda item entitled “United Together Against Violence (U.T.A.V.) Proposals for Discussion.” Anthony Sleck from the City of Phillips commented publicly on a non-agenda item. Presentations 1. Employee Recognitions: County employee celebrating his one-year anniversary: Elden Shier, Veteran Services Officer. Employee celebrating her five-year anniversary: Amanda Kozak, Public Health Program Coordinator. Employee celebrating his 10-year anniversary: Fred Freeman, Assistant Forestry & Parks Administrator. Employee celebrating his 15-year anniversary: Nick Trimner, County Administrator. Approval of the Minutes 1. April 28, 2026, Meeting Minutes: Motion Palecek/Houdek to approve the April 28 , 2026, Price County Board of Supervisors meeting minutes as presented. Roll call vote to approve the minutes: Yes (12): Jenifer Baratka (Remote), Joe Baratka, Drobnik, Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich (Remote), Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. Ordinances 1. Ordinance to Amend Price County Ordinance Section 223 -44.1: Habitual Animal Offender (Law Enforcement): Submitted by the Price County Law Enforcement Committee. s/Larry Palecek, Chairperson; Jenifer Baratka (Excused) ; Robert Kopisch; Patricia Stephan; Dennis Wartgow . 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 19th day of May 2026. s/Brian Ernst, County Board Chair; s/Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk. Motion Palecek/Wartgow to consider the ordinance for adoption. Roll call vote: Yes (11): Jenifer Baratka (Remote), Joe Baratka, Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich (Remote), Wartgow. No (1): Drobnik. Motion carried. 2. Ordinance to Amend Price County Ordinance 223- 19: Definitions (Law Enforcement): Submitted by the Price County Law Enforcement Committee. s/Larry Palecek, Chairperson; Jenifer Baratka (Excused) ; Robert Kopisch; Patricia Stephan; Dennis Wartgow . 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 19th day of May 2026. s/Brian Ernst, County Board Chair; s/Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk. Motion Kopisch/Palecek to consider the ordinance for adoption. Roll call vote: Yes (1 2): Jenifer Baratka (Remote), Joe Baratka, Drobnik , Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich (Remote), Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. Resolutions 1. Town of Eisenstein Bridge and Culvert Aid (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 19th day of May 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 (Remote), Joe Baratka, Drobnik , Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich (Remote), Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. Miscellaneous 1. District 5 Special Election Office Start Date: Motion Drobnik/Palecek for the District Five (5) County Board Supervisor Special Election Office Start Date to be January 1, 2027; and for the District Five (5) County Board Supervisor Appointment end date to be December 31, 2026. Discussion held. Motion Kopisch/Baratka to amend the District Five (5) County Board Supervisor Special Election Office Start Date to be November 12, 2026; and to amend the District Five (5) County Board Supervisor Appointment end date to be November 11, 2026. Motion Drobnik/Palecek to adopt the amended motion. Roll call vote: Yes (12): Jenifer Baratka (Remote), Joe Baratka, Drobnik, Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich (Remote), Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. 2. United Together Against Violence (U.T.A.V.) Proposals for Discussion: Motion Kopisch/Stephan to suspend the County Board of Supervisors rules and to allow three (3) minutes for one individual from the public to speak on this agenda item. Roll call vote: Yes (1 1): Jenifer Baratka (Remote), Joe Baratka, Drobnik, Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich (Remote), Wartgow. No (1): Palecek. Motion carried. Brittany Volkman from the City of Medford, in Taylor County, Wisconsin spoke publicly for three (3) minutes on this agenda item. Appointments 1. Price County Health and Human Services Board: Sally Huml (term 6/1/2026 through 5/31/2029) 2. Price County Transportation Coordination Committee (vacant term 5/1/2025 through 4/30/2027): Susan Stanke 3. Land Information Council: List as Provided Appointments agenda items one through three were presented and are on file. Chairperson Ernst reported he is the County Board representative for the Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NWRPC) and Kopisch is the alternate representative. Reports on File 1. Annual Report of Wages 2025 : The Annual Report of Wages for 2025 was presented and is on file. Committee of the Whole: Convened into the Committee of the Whole at 9:38 a.m. 1. Board Chair Report a. Updates: The board chair has been interacting with administration on employee issues, answering constituents’ questions about carbon credits. The Carbon Credits status is the same and the credits are on the market wait ing to be sol d. Bug Tussel remains non- committal and the 60-days deadline has passed for a project. At the Executive Committee the administrator was instructed to look into what would happen if the County cancelled the bond agreement with them. The Bug Tussel tower project is needed for EMS services. Attended every committee meeting that has been held since the last County Board meeting and has given input. Dealt with UTAV, and it was discussed enough for today. 2. County Administrator’s Report a. 2025/2026 Financial Summary/Updates: The County audit will soon conclude, including the single audit reviewing federal and state grant funds. Three Auditors are scheduled to give presentations at the June Executive Committee meeting. 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. Printed copies of the report were available for the public at the meeting. 3. Committee Chair Reports a. Administration: Met May 12th, next meeting June 9th. Working on new policies for the Employee Handbook: Inclement Weather and Smart Glasses. Working on a policy and procedure for setting future elected officials’ wages. b. Executive: Met May 14th, next meeting June 11th. Received the County financial summary report and it is on file. Both the Treasurer and Register of Deeds (ROD) reviewed thei r reports and transactional business. Approved the Town of Eisenstein Bridge and Culvert Aid. Discussed the District Five Supervisor vacancy and it was acted on today. Held discussions and updates on the Bug Tussel proposed tower project as well as the status of the County’s carbon credits. Clarification was provided during this executive report about the $15 million bond that the County co-signed as a creditor if Bug Tussel defaults. Details on the terms of that bond were provided and can be accessed from the Price County WI, Government YouTube account. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dZHQKy2lH0&t=2318s c. Forestry & Parks / Buildings & Grounds : Met May 5 th, next meeting July 7 th. The Buildings and Grounds Department has been painting the County Courthouse interior. Working on a Request For Proposal (RFP) for a Courthouse electrical panel. Forestry and Parks Department reported they sent 21 tracks out for timber sale bids, and only one did not sell. Postponed an item with a request from a private party to purchase County Forest land adjacent to their property. More information will be presented at a future meeting. Approved a forest land survey from the county surveyor. County parks are being prepared for the summer, and Solberg Lake Park will open this week. New bathrooms in Big Falls Park are scheduled for installation this July. A timber sale for Ash at Timms Hill Park is in the works. d. Health and Human Services: Met May 13 th, next meeting July 8 th. Will hear from the County Health Officer at the next meeting. Heard quarterly reports from Senior Services including updates from the Nutrition Advisory Council and Council on Aging. Received the Juvenile Offenders Report and it is on file. Two new social worker positi ons in the Behavioral Health Department CLTS were recently approved, and the job descriptions for those positions are being finalized for recruitment. The Health and Human Services Fiscal Administrator presented the High-Cost Placement reports and they are on file. Health and Human Services would like to offer a department-wide orientation for any interested County Board Supervisors. HHS Board Member Suzy Ocker retired after nine years on the Board, and she was thanked for her service. A home-delivered meals banquet was held on April 21st at Marie’s on Fayette in honor of the four volunteer drivers who drove over 10,000 miles in the past year. e. Highway & Transportation : Met May 6th, next meeting July 1 st. The Highway crew has been cleaning and inspecting all County and State bridges. The crew patched damaged areas on State Highway 70 West. They turned shoulders on all State and County Highways. They have been repairing shoulders and chipping trees from storm damage, and they patched highways. A new one- ton truck was delivered to the Highway shop on May 7th. The shop has been converting County plows for summer use. One single axle and two tri -axle trucks , along with miscellaneous items, were sold at the April auction. The department has filled the 20-hour weekly LTE vacancy. A new loader was delivered to the County Airport, and training is being received. Market and Johnson was the winning bidder for the Airport T-Hangar, and Houtari won the Taxi Lane bid. Both projects are slated for construction in 2027. The s tatus of dams is good overall, and some maintenance and repairs are scheduled and being monitored. f. Land Use & UW -Extension: Met March 19th, next m eeting May 21st, June 9th and June 18th. One hearing for a property owner asking for a two-foot property-line setback, which is usually a five - foot setback. The current home the property owner was looking to replace was actually on the neighbor’s property. The two-foot setback was approved. There are four public hearing scheduled for the next meeting, and three of them involve gravel pits and asphalt plants. Orientation for new committee members involving the Land and Water Resource Plan and the UW -Extension Memorandum of Understanding will be presented at future meetings. g. Law Enforcement: Met May 7th, next meeting July 2nd. Public hearings were held for two new ordinances on habitual animal offender ’s and premises and definitions , and those were passed today. Introduced the new Price County Coroner, Amy Casey, and new District Attorney Alexis Nash. The County Humane Officer gave a presentation related to the new habitual animal offender ordinances and they are on file. The Law Enforcement Radio Project Updates were discussed including discussion on whether or not to continue the project with or without Bug Tussel. The original timeline for beginning the project with Bug Tussel was for 18 months, and there has been no official start -date after two years. Staffing updates were presented and are on file. The Canine unit is performing well. The Recreation Officer is preparing for the boating season. The County Jail is currently housing 16 inmates. Convene out of Committee of the Whole: Convened out of the Committee of the Whole at 10:30 a.m. Date of Next Meeting : June 16, 2026, Business Meeting at 9:00 a.m. in the County Courthouse Boardroom. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. by Brian Ernst, County Board Chairperson. Respectfully submitted by Meredith Hueckman, Price County Clerk Ordinance Index: ORDINANCE NO. 2026-01 Section 223-44.1: HABITUAL ANIMAL OFFENDER AND PREMISES The Price County Board of Supervisors ordains the amendment of Price County Ordinance Sec. 223-44.1, “Habitual Animal Offender,” of the Code of Ordinances, as follows: Section 1: Section 223- 44.1 of the Code of the County of Price is hereby retitled to, “Habitual Animal Offender and Premises,” and amended to read as follows: A. Habitual Animal Offender. 1) Prohibition. It shall be unlawful to be a habitual offender, as that term is defined in Price County Code Sec. 223-19. If found to be a habitual offender, the court may order no animal ownership for a minimum period of three (3) years and a maximum period of not to exceed ten (10) years. If the court orders no animal ownership under this section, the habitual offender may shall not own, possess, harbor, keep, or have custody or control of any animal subject to this article; this definition is intended to include any person who is a custodian of an animal subject to this article. 2) Initiation of Action. The County of Price may initiate proceedings to request that a court declare an individual as a habitual offender in conjunction with a newly issued citation under Chapter 223, by motion under an existing forfeiture action under Chap ter 223, or by a stand-alone complex forfeiture action. B. Habitual Animal Offender Premises. 1) Definition. A “Habitual Animal Offender Premises” shall be defined for purposes of this section as meaning a property which contained or harbored an animal or animals subject to this article, and which animal or animals have bitten two (2) or more persons or other domesticated animals within any rolling twelve (12) month period. A property shall not be considered a habitual animal offender premises if there is no continuity in residency between the bites in question. Accordingly, if there is a bite originating from a property and there is subsequently a complete turnover in the residency on that property, that prior bite shall not be counted in determining whether the property constitutes a habitual animal offender premises. 2) Prohibition. It shall be unlawful for any property within Price County to be a habitual animal offender premises. The Price County Humane Officer may, by written order served upon the owner or adult occupant of the property, declare a property to be a habitual animal offender premises, and order that animals subject to this article harbored on the property be restrained or restricted in a manner and for such period of time as determined by the Price County Humane Officer to be necessary to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of the public. The Price County Humane Officer may order that an animal be restricted to the property, restricted within a reasonable area within the property, and/or restricted when taken off of the property. Any order issued under this article is deemed served when personally delivered to the owner or occupant, or mailed by first class mail. 3) Appeal of Order. Any person aggrieved by an order issued by the Price County Humane Officer under this section may appeal that order by submitting a written request to the Price County Sheriff’s Office, delivered or postmarked no later than ten (10) days after the issuance of the disputed order, detailing the objections and reasons therefor. The appeal shall be reviewed by the Price County Sheriff who shall affirm, modify, or rescind the order within ten (10) days of the date that the written appeal is received. If the person aggrieved by the order disagrees with the decision of the Price County Sheriff, that person may appeal that decision by submitting a written request to the Price County Administrator and the matter shall be heard at the next regularl y scheduled Price County Board meeting. The parties shall be entitled to present evidence, be represented by counsel, and be afforded sufficient due process. The Price County Board shall affirm, modify, or rescind the order and shall issue its decision in writing. C. Enforcement. 1) Removal. If an animal subject to this article is held or harbored by a person or on a property prohibited by order of a court of competent jurisdiction or order of the Price County Humane Officer to harbor such animal, the Price County Humane Officer and/or their designee may impound that animal under Sec. 173.13, Wis. Stats, on the grounds that the animal is an unpermitted and therefore unlicensed animal. A warrant may be obtained to allow any law enforcement officer to go onto any property and take custody of any animal so harbored. The animal shall be impounded during any appeal of the removal, with the owner of the animal being liable for the costs and expenses of impounding the animal. 2) Appeal of Removal. Any person aggrieved by an animal removal by the Price County Humane Officer under this section may appeal that removal by submitting a written request to the Price County Sheriff’s Office, delivered or postmarked no later than ten (10) days after the removal, detailing the objections and reasons therefor. The appeal shall be reviewed by the Price County Sheriff, who shall affirm, modify, or rescind the removal within ten (10) days of the date that the written appeal is received. If the person aggrieved by the removal disagrees with the decision of the Price County Sheriff, that person may appeal that decision by submitting a written request to the Price County Administrator and the matter shall be heard at the next regularly scheduled Price County Board meeting. The parties shall be entitled to present evidence, be represented by counsel, and be afforded sufficient due process. The Price County Board shall affirm, modify, or rescind the removal and shall issue its decision in writing. 3) Penalties. Anyone causing, creating or maintaining a violation of this article shall be subject to a forfeiture as provided in Chapter 290 of the County Code, together with the cost of prosecution. Section 2: If any section, clause, provision, or portion of this Ordinance is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a Court of competent jurisdiction or by any agency or of any kind by anyone else, the remainder of this Ordinance shall not be affected. Section 3: All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. Section 4: This Ordinance shall take effect and be in effect after passage and publication according to law. Submitted by: Price County Law Enforcement Committee. ORDINANCE NO. 2026 - 02 Section 223-19: DEFINITIONS The Price County Board of Supervisors ordains the amendment of a portion of Price County Ordinance Sec. 223-19, “Definitions,” of the Code of Ordinances, as follows: Section 1: The definition of the term, “Habitual Offender” contained within Section 223-19 of the Code of the County of Price is hereby amended to read as follows: Habitual Offender. Any animal owner or harborer, who within any three-year period is convicted of three or more violations of domestic animal related offenses under Chapter 223 of the Price County Code or for violations in conformity with Chapter 223 of the Price County Code under the laws of another jurisdiction. The controlling date is the date of each violation, not the date of the plea entered or the date of conviction resulting therefrom. Section 2: If any section, clause, provision, or portion of this Ordinance is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a Court of competent jurisdiction or by any agency or of any kind by anyone else, the remainder of this Ordinance shall not be affected. Section 3: All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. Section 4: This Ordinance shall take effect and be in effect after passage and publication according to law. Submitted by: Price County Law Enforcement Committee. Resolution Index: Resolution No.: 8 - 26 Town of Eisenstein Bridge and Culvert Aid Request WHEREAS, the Town of Eisenstein is requesting aid for design and installation of one (1) new culvert at the nearest intersection of Forest Road 149 and Cedar Rapids Rd, and waterway Camp C Creek, legal description: NW1/4, NW1/4, Section 28, Township 40, North, Range 2; on the border of Section 29 and 28; and WHEREAS, the Price County Highway and Transportation Committee has reviewed and approved the request; and WHEREAS, total project costs are estimated at $62,000.00, actual costs to be determined upon project completion; and WHEREAS, the U.S. Forest Service will contribute a flat rate amount estimated at $31,000.00; and WHEREAS, both Price County and the Town of Eisenstein will cover the remaining costs estimated at $31,000.00, actual costs to be determined upon project completion; and WHEREAS, the funding criteria for the above-mentioned project is as follows: • $31,000.00 U.S. Forest Service; and, • $31,000.00 (estimated), split 50% by Price County and 50% Town of Eisenstein; and; WHEREAS, the County portion will be recovered by a direct/special tax levy per § 82.08(2)(a), Wis. Stats., assessed to townships participating in the Bridge and Culvert Aid Program. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Price County Board of Supervisors hereby approves the Town of Eisenstein Bridge and Culvert Aid Request. Fiscal Impact: $15,500.00 municipal tax levy (estimated). Submitted by: Price County Executive Committee.