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PRICE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES Date: April 28, 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 John Trewyn. Pledge of Allegiance: Recited by those in attendance. Roll Call Members Present (12 ): Jenifer Baratka, Joe Baratka (Remote), Michelle Drobnik, Doug Erickson, Brian Ernst, Paula Houdek, Robert Kopisch, Larry Palecek, Jordan Spacek, Patricia Stephan, Jeff Ulrich, Dennis Wartgow. Also present: Carrie Kyle, County Finance Director; Nick Trimner, County Administrator Invocation: Invocation prayer by Pastor John Trewyn. Pledge of Allegiance: Recited by those in attendance. Presentations 1. Employee Recognitions : County employees celebrating their one- year anniversaries: Annee Meyer, Sheriff’s Office Executive Administrative Assistant; Nancy Olson, UWEX Program Assistant; Cindy and Loren Erickson, Ogema Home Delivered Meals Drivers. Employees celebrating their fiv e-year anniversaries: Brandon Kozak, Corrections Officer/Civilian Dispatcher . Employees celebrating 10-year anniversaries: Christy Hlavacek, Forestry Administrative Assistant. Employees celebrating 25 -years: Krisan Bastil , HHS Accounting Assistant ; D avid W esenick, Deputy Sheriff. 2. Bug Tussel – Jesse Lane: Bug Tussel VP of Strategic Development, Jesse Lane, presented updates on the broadband and communications tower project in Price County. The plan includes six proposed tower sites supporting emergency communications, public safety radio systems, and some wireless internet service. The project has been delayed, originally estimated to take 18 months, it has now been about two years with little visible progress. Lane acknowledged the delays and lack of clear communication, apologizing but stating that timelines remain uncertain due to ongoing negotiations with third- party, wireless co -locators or vendors to provide the wireless services. The County’s emergency radio system is nearing its end- of-life and should be replaced or upgraded within the next two years. About $15 million in bond funding is allotted for the project, but it is tightly controlled and only released as work is completed. At present, minimal funds have been drawn for early engineering and planning. The County expects a critical decision point within the next 90–120 days, or around late summer/early fall for budgeting purposes. Bug Tussel has undergone leadership and staffing changes, and a new team is managing the project and communications. Approval of the Minutes 1. February 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes: Motion Drobnik/Houdek to approve the February 17, 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, Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. 2. April 21, 2026 Meeting Minutes: Motion Wartgow/Spacek to approve the April 21, 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, Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. Resolutions 1. Requesting Wisconsin Counties Association Lobby State Legislature and Governor on Legislation for Greater Local Control for Wisconsin Counties (Land Use/UW-Ex): Submitted by the Price County Land Use/UW -Extension Committee. s/Alan Barkstrom, Chair; Michelle Drobnik; Doug Erickson; Jason Hastings; Robert Kopisch. 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 28th day of April 2026. s/Brian Ernst, County Board Chair; s/Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk. Motion Drobnik/Kopisch to consider the resolution for adoption. Roll call vote: Yes (12): Jenifer Baratka, Joe Baratka, Drobnik, Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich, Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. 2. Budget Amendments for Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025 (Executive): Submitted by the Price County Executive Committee. s/Brian Ernst, Chair; Alan Barkstrom; Doug Erickson; Jeffrey Hallstrand; Larry Palecek. 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 28th day of April 2026. s/Brian Ernst, County Board Chair; s/Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk. Motion Erickson/Kopisch to consider the resolution for adoption. Roll call vote: Yes (12): Jenifer Baratka, Joe Baratka, Drobnik, Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich, Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. 3. Create Full-time Position(s): Additional Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Social Worker (Behavioral Health Unit) (Administration): Submitted by the Price County Administration Committee. s/Dennis Wartgow, Chair; Alan Barkstrom; Jeffrey Hallstrand; Paula Houdek; 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 28th day of April 2026. s/Brian Ernst, County Board Chair; s/Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk. Motion Spacek/Kopisch to consider the resolution for adoption. Roll call vote: Yes (12): Jenifer Baratka, Joe Baratka, Drobnik, Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich, Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. Appointments 1. Price County Veterans Service Commission (term ending 12/31/2028): Charles Lovelace 2. Price County Nutrition Advisory Council (terms 5/1/2026 through 4/30/2028): Robin Nielsen, David Schmidt, Dani Hoffman 3. Price County Transportation Coordination Committee (terms 5/1/2026 through 4/30/2028): Patricia Stephan (County Supervisor), Johnathan McArthur (City of Phillips Alderperson); Jason McMillan (Transportation Provider) 4. Ogema Library Board (term 5/1/2026 through 4/30/2029): Allen Schnepf 5. Park Falls Library Board (term 5/1/2026 through 4/30/2029): Bob Kopisch 6. Price County Library Committee (term 5/1/2026 through 4/30/2029): Paula Houdek, Karen Tesmer, Jess Wear 7. Phillips Library Board (term 5/1/2026 through 4/30/2029): Paula Houdek All committee appointments listed under agenda items one through seven were recognized by the Price County Board of Supervisors. Standing Committee Appointments 1. Administration Committee a. Call to Order (Board Chair): Administration Committee meeting called to order at 9:55 a.m. by Brian Ernst, County Board Chairperson. i. Elect Chair : Ernst called for nominations three times in total. Houdek nominated Wartgow for Administration Committee Chairperson. Motion Houdek/Spacek to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Wartgow for Administration Committee Chairperson. Voice vote: motion carried. ii. Elect Vice Chair : Wartgow called for Nominations. Spacek nominated Houdek for Administration Committee Vice Chairperson. Motion Joe Baratka/Spacek to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Houdek for Administration Committee Vice Chairperson. Voice vote: motion carried. b. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 9:58 a.m. by Dennis Wartgow, Administration Committee Chairperson. 2. Forestry & Parks / Buildings & Grounds Committee a. Call to Order (Board Chair): Forestry & Parks / Buildings & Grounds Committee meeting called to order at 9:58 a.m. by Brian Ernst, County Board Chairperson. i. Elect Chair: Ernst called for nominations three times in total. Stephan nominated Wartgow for Forestry & Parks / Buildings & Grounds Committee Chairperson. Motion Stephan/Spacek to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Erickson for Forestry & Parks / Buildings & Grounds Committee Chairperson. Voice vote: motion carried. ii. Elect Vice Chair: Erickson called for nominations three times in total. Spacek nominated Drobnik for Forestry & Parks / Buildings & Grounds Committee Vice Chairperson. Motion Joe Spacek /Stephan to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Drobnik for Forestry & Parks / Buildings & Grounds Committee Vice Chairperson. Voice vote: motion carried. b. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 10:01 a.m. by Doug Erickson, Forestry & Parks / Buildings & Grounds Committee Chairperson. 3. Health and Human Services Board a. Call to Order (Board Chair): Health and Human Services Board meeting called to order at 10:01 a.m. by Brian Ernst, County Board Chairperson. i. Elect Chair: Ernst called for nominations three times in total. Kopisch nominated Houdek for Health and Human Services Board Chairperson. Motion Kopisch/Baratka to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Houdek for Health and Human Services Board Chairperson. Voice vote: motion carried. ii. Elect Vice Chair: Houdek called for nominations three times in total. Wartgow nominated Kopisch for Health and Human Services Board Vice Chairperson. Motion Stephan/Baratka to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Kopisch for Health and Human Services Board Vice Chairperson. Voice vote: motion carried. b. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 10:03 a.m. by Paula Houdek, Health and Human Services Board Chairperson. 4. Land Use & UW-Extension Committee a. Call to Order (Board Chair): Land Use & UW-Extension Committee meeting called to order at 10:03 a.m. by Brian Ernst, County Board Chairperson. i. Elect Chair: Ernst called for nominations three times in total. Erickson nominated Kopisch for Land Use & UW-Extension Committee Chairperson. Motion Ulrich/Erickson to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Kopisch for Land Use & UW-Extension Committee Chairperson. Voice vote: motion carried. ii. Elect Vice Chair: Kopisch called for nominations three times in total. Kopisch nominated Erickson for Land Use & UW-Extension Committee Vice Chairperson. Motion Ulrich/Kopisch to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Erickson for Land Use & UW-Extension Committee Vice Chairperson. Voice vote: motion carried. b. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 10:06 a.m. by Robert Kopisch, Land Use & UW-Extension Committee Chairperson. 5. Law Enforcement Committee a. Call to Order (Board Chair): Law Enforcement Committee meeting called to order at 10:06 a.m. by Brian Ernst, County Board Chairperson. i. Elect Chair: Ernst called for nominations three times in total. Kopisch nominated Palecek for Law Enforcement Committee Chairperson. Motion Wartgow/Stephan to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Palecek for Law Enforcement Committee Chairperson. Voice vote: motion carried. ii. Elect Vice Chair: Palecek called for nominations three times in total. Stephan nominated Wartgow for Law Enforcement Committee Vice Chairperson. Motion Kopisch/Stephan to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Wartgow for Law Enforcement Committee Vice Chairperson. Voice vote: motion carried. b. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 10:08 a.m. by Larry Palecek, Law Enforcement Committee Chairperson. Committee of the Whole: Convened into the Committee of the Whole at 10:10 a.m. 1. County Board Supervisor District 5 Vacancy a. Appointment for Full Term or November 3, 2026, Special Election: Discussion about appointing versus running a special election for the County Board Supervisor District 5 vacancy. Further discussion about procedures and timeline, including past vacancies. Discussion on publishing the vacancy notice for appointment/election in the newspaper and sending it to the Towns of Fifield and Eisenstein, which are represented by District 5. Motion Kopisch/Houdek to appoint for the County Board Supervisor District 5 Vacancy now and to put the vacancy on the November 2026 Special Election. Roll call vote: Yes (12): Jenifer Baratka, Joe Baratka, Drobnik, Erickson, Ernst, Houdek, Kopisch, Palecek, Spacek, Stephan, Ulrich, Wartgow. No (0). Motion carried. 2. Board Chair Report a. Bug Tussel Update: The Bug Tussel update was covered under the second agenda item: Presentations by Bug Tussel, Jesse Lane. b. Carbon Credit Update: No new updates. c. Other Updates: No new updates. 3. County Administrator’s Report a. 2025/2026 Financial Summary/Updates: The 2025/2026 Financial Summary Report was presented in the packet and it is on file. Administrator Trimner will travel to Washington D.C. from May 31 through June 5 to attend training from the County Leadership Institute (NACo). Palecek stated he was very proud of Trimner for getting the appointment and Ernst stated he agreed, for the record. 4. Committee Chair Reports: It was noted there were Committee Chair Reports on April 21st, one week prior to this meeting, and there were no committee meetings held during that time. a. Administration: Last meeting was April 14th, next meeting is May 12th. No new updates. b. Executive: Last meeting was April 16th, next meeting is May 14th. No new updates. c. Forestry & Parks / Buildings & Grounds: Last meeting was April 7th, next meeting is May 5th. No new updates. d. Health and Human Services: Last meeting was April 8th, next meeting is May 13th. No new updates. e. Highway & Transportation: Last meeting was March 4th, next meeting is May 6th. No new updates. f. Land Use & UW-Extension: Last meeting was March 19th, next meeting is May 21st. No new updates. g. Law Enforcement: Last meeting was April 9th, next meeting is May 7th. No new updates. Convene out of Committee of the Whole: Convened out of the Committee of the Whole at 10:27 a.m. Date of Next Meeting: May 19, 2026, Business Meeting at 9:00 a.m. in the County Board Room Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 10:27 a.m. by Brian Ernst, County Board Chairperson. Respectfully Submitted by Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk RESOLUTION INDEX: Resolution No.: 5 - 26 Resolution Requesting Wisconsin Counties Association Lobby State Legislature and Governor on Legislation for Greater Local Control for Wisconsin Counties WHEREAS, local governments in Wisconsin are closest to the people they serve and are best positioned to understand and address the unique needs, priorities, and challenges of their communities; and, WHEREAS, public meetings and hearings held by local units of government allow for significantly more opportunity for public input than meetings and hearings held by the Public Service Commission in Madison; and WHEREAS, preserving local control is essential to maintaining accountability, transparency, and public trust in government, as well as ensuring that decisions reflect local values and conditions; and, WHEREAS, statewide, one size fits all regulations do not always appropriately address the issues and needs of every Wisconsin community; and, WHEREAS, a series of mandates and other agency actions have continuously shifted powers from the local to the state level; and, WHEREAS, the geographic, environmental, and demographic diversity across Wisconsin counties necessitates localized approaches to governance that reflect each county's unique characteristics; and, WHEREAS, state legislators have been making attempts to return local control to cities, villages and towns over large-scale wind and solar projects in several bills; and WHEREAS, such attempts should also be applied to counties and county boards who are democratically elected bodies that directly represent the interests and values of their constituents; and WHEREAS, significant negative impacts on environmental habitats, public health, road infrastructure, and property values and taxes due to large- scale wind and solar projects in those areas where they exist are well established and documented; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Price County Board of Supervisors hereby requests the Wisconsin Counties Association consider this issue and/or adopt this resolution and lobby the Wisconsin State Legislature and Governor to support any and all efforts and legislation that would give local elected bodies greater control in regulating large scale wind and solar projects to in the best interest of their communities; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED , that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Wisconsin Towns Association, all local and state legislators who represent citizens across Price County the Governor, and all county boards in Wisconsin for consideration, support, and action. Submitted by Land Use/UW-Extension Committee. Resolution No.: 6 - 26 Budget Amendments for Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025 WHEREAS, the Price County Board of Supervisors at their November 12, 2025 meeting, after public hearing, adopted the 2025 budget for Price County; and WHEREAS the Executive Committee of the Price County Board of Supervisors on April 9, 2026, were advised to make various adjustments to department budgets; and WHEREAS the Wisconsin Statutes §65.90(5)(a)(1) states “A budget…may not be changed unless authorized by a vote of two-thirds of the membership of the governing body of the municipality”; and WHEREAS the proposed amendments recommended by the Price County Executive Committee does not change the amount of tax levied and the proposed amendments will more accurately record the financial activities of Price County departments during 2025. BE IT RESOLVED by the Price County Board of Supervisors at their April 9, 2026, meeting that the 2025 budget, as adopted, be amended to include the amendments as attached; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Clerk be instructed to publish a Class 1 notice within 10 days of these amendments informing the public of these particular changes. Fiscal Impact: 0 Submitted by the Price County Executive Committee. Resolution No.: 7 - 26 Create Full-time Position(s): Additional Behavioral Health Social Worker WHEREAS, in recent years, the State of Wisconsin added numerous mandates and program expectations which increased county workload and costs for the Behavioral Health Unit; and WHEREAS, the workload for the Behavioral Health Unit has steadily increased over the past several years in Children Long- Term Support (CLTS) cases due to the state mandating the elimination of a waitlist for new client enrollment, causing caseloads in the CLTS to grow to unreasonable levels; and WHEREAS, excessively high caseloads increase the risk of service delays, reduce the time available to adequately support families, complicate compliance with state requirements, and contribute to worker burnout and turnover, all of which negatively affect the continuity and quality of care provided to families; and WHEREAS, as the program continues to expand, Price County must increase staffing levels to ensure safety, compliance, and high- quality services, and additional CLTS workers are necessary to manage present and future demand; and WHEREAS, the additional CLTS workers will also provide support to the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program as needed, helping to strengthen service coordination and ensure timely response to youth and families across programs; and WHEREAS, the fiscal impact to the County is expected to be minimal due to the CLTS program’s cost-neutral structure. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Price County Board of Supervisors does hereby approve the creation of up to two additional full-time and/or part-time Behavioral Health social worker positions within the Health and Human Services Department and requests the Administration Commit tee to approve the recruitment process for the positions. Fiscal impact: None Submitted by the Price County Administration Committee.