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Price County · Price County · meeting of Apr 16, 2026 · Minutes
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Price County Executive Committee Minutes
Date: April 16, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Place: Courthouse County Board Room 101; 126 Cherry St; Phillips, WI 54555
Meeting called to Order: Meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Brian Ernst, County Chair.
Roll Call
Members Present: Alan Barkstrom, Doug Erickson, Brian Ernst, Jeff Hallstrand, Larry Palecek
Others present: Nick Trimner, County Administrator; Paula Houdek, County Supervisor
Items For Discussion and Possible Action
1. Public Comment and Communications: A thank you was offered to Alan Barkstrom and Jeff Hallstrand
for their service to the County as Board Supervisors and this was their last meeting.
2. Meeting Minutes March 12, 2026:
Motion Palecek/Barkstrom to approve the March 12, 2026, meeting minutes. Motion carried.
3. Treasurer Report
a. Monthly reports: The Price County Treasurer Report for Revenues and Disbursements was
presented and is on file. Total March revenue receipts were $4,025,955.55. Total March
disbursements were $4,830,980.74. The Financial Report for the month ending in March was
presented and is on file. It displayed $6,760,472.25 in total investments; $4,873,930.23 total
ending checking balance; and $3,646,350.00 totals in loans.
b. Delinquent Taxes and In Rem – 2022 Start: There are currently 46 parcels on the In Rem
Delinquent 2022 taxes list. In 2025 there were 30 parcels at this time. After the parcels are
evaluated at the court date, there are 60 days left until the last day to redeem or pay in full for the
delinquent taxes and fees.
4. Register of Deeds Office
a. Updates: The Register of Deeds (ROD) Office recorded 243 documents; processed 57 vital
records applications; issued 224 vital record certificates; and conveyed just over $5 million in
straight sales. The Governor signed updates to State Statute 59.43, modernizing the duties of
the Register of Deeds.
5. Office of Administration
a. 2026 Monthly Financial Reports: The 2026 Monthly Financial Reports were presented and are
on file. The General Fund is at 23.46% of the budgeted amount spent, 44% collected. Health and
Human Services funds are at 19.40% spent, 38.27% collected. Price County Cash in March 2026
is at $11,634,683 which is 7% less than March 2025. Price County Sales Tax in January 2026 is
at $85,908, which is $3,979 less than in January 2025. Price County Stumpage Sales in March
2026 is at $281,143, which is $178,814 less than in March 2025. High-Cost Placement – Children
and Youth I February 2026 is at $73,535, which is $50,013 less than in February 2025. High-Cost
Placement – AODA in February 2026 is at $59,122, which is $16,487 less than in Feburary 2025.
b. NACo – The County Leadership Institute: Price Count Administrator Nick Trimner was selected
both nationally and by the state and to attend a 4-day County Leadership Institute learning
intensive held in Washington D.C. from May 31st through June 5th.
c. Updates: Governor-appointed Price County District Attorney Alexis Nash began work on April 6th
and her office is up and running. Governor-appointed Price County Coroner Amy Casey has
begun work in her office, and the County Coroner election will be held this fall of 2026. Seven
auditors from Baker Tilly have been working on the yearly audit at the courthouse this past week.
6. Clerk’s Office
a. Updates: The County Clerk’s Office worked with 22 municipal clerks for the April 7th Spring
Election and expressed gratitude for their service and dedication to their communities. Price
County turnout for the Spring Election was at 41% in April 2026, compared to 32% in April 2024.
All of the election machines have received their yearly maintenance and are prepared for the
August 11th Partisan Primary and November 3rd General Election.
7. Bug Tussel Update – Jesse Lane (Moved from agenda item #7 to follow agenda item #2): Bug Tussel
Vice President of Strategic Development, Jesse Lane, provided a general update, and will present a more
detailed update at the full County Board meeting on April 28th. Topics included a proposal for six towers in
separate locations in the area. AT&T was mentioned as a possible wireless provider part of the plan for
Price County, but there are other wireless co-locators that could come on board. Continued options are
being explored to make the project work. Bug Tussel staff and the County Administrator and County Chair
have been communicating over the past month. The County gave Bug Tussel a 60-day deadline to submit
a concrete timeline and plan to the County. The County Chair reiterated the importance of receiving that
concrete timeline and plan from Tussel.
8. Resolution – Budget Amendments for Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025 (Executive): This
resolution makes adjustments to realign the budget after resolutions and motions permitted the spending.
The General fund is used to pay for any overages. This resolution realigns the budget; whereas, upcoming
resolutions will scrutinize the budget.
Motion Barkstrom/Erickson to approve Budget Amendments for Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025
(Executive). Motion carried.
9. RFP – Courthouse Electrical Panel (Forestry & Parks/Buildings & Grounds): Administration is
working with Forestry and Parks/Buildings and Grounds Committee and Department to bring forward a
Request for Proposal (RFP) for bids to replace the Courthouse Electrical Panel.
10. RFP – Consultant for Law Enforcement Radio Equipment/Technology (Executive): The County is
considering a consultant to advise them on a large communication and technology project including County
Law Enforcement radio equipment, Emergency Management communication capabilities, and
construction of cellular towers and related technology. The complex project estimated cost could be up to
$3.8 million, and the County is looking for a consultant to advise them on the most cost effective and
efficient plan. Law Enforcement radio equipment is at its end-of-life and decisions are needed soon. There
are six companies in the state who could provide consulting services for this type of project.
Motion Barkstrom/Palecek to allow administration to send a Request For Proposal (RFP) for a Consultant
for Law Enforcement Radio Equipment/Technology (Executive). Motion carried.
11. Carbon Credit Project Update: Anew met with the County Chair, Forestry Department, and other County
representatives. Price County officially has 145,000 carbon credits available for sale on the market.
Interested buyers have inquired about the County’s goals and intent regarding County Forest Land.
Discussion on two pools of credits with differing values. The first pool may sell for between $18 and $25
per credits, and the second pool may sell for 30% to 40% less. A portion of the first sale could be used to
pay Anew for sale setup and related costs. Reference was made to Bayfield County’s first sale of carbon
credits which covered Anew’s costs and their second sale provided them with $1 million. Discussion on
various ways to invest proceeds from a potential sale in Price County such as improving forest road access
to increase timber sales, investing funds into Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and utilizing the interest, among
other options.
12. Monthly Vouchers:
Motion Hallstrand/Erickson to approve the March 2026 vouchers in the amount of $1,344,985.90. Motion
carried.
13. Date of Next Meeting: May14, 2026
14. Note: Supervisors Barkstrom and Hallstrand thanked staff and expressed gratitude for having served on
the Price County Board of Supervisors. Today was their last meeting. It was a positive experience, and
both encouraged people to participate on the board.
15. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 10:16 a.m. by Brian Ernst, County Chairman.
Respectfully Submitted by Meredith Hueckman, Price County Clerk
Source: Price County website. First collected Oct 8, 2026.