HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board of Supervisors - Minutes - 10/28/2025
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Bayfield County Clerk
Lynn M. Divine, County Clerk
Jeran Delaine Deputy Clerk Jaime Cadotte Clerk II
Ph: 715.373.6100 ● Fx: 715.373.6153 ● Email: Lynn.Divine@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov ● 117 E. Fifth Street, PO Box 878, Washburn,
WI 54891
MINUTES
Monthly Meeting of the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
October 28, 2025
Meeting Held in the Bayfield County Board Room, Courthouse, Washburn, WI
Call to Order: The monthly meeting of the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors was called to
order at 6:04 p.m. by Chairperson, Dennis Pocernich. Roll Call was taken by County Clerk, Lynn
Divine, as follows: Steve Sandstrom – present; Mary Dougherty - present; Larry Fickbohm -
present; Charly Ray - present; Jeff Olsen - present; Fred Strand – present; Jeff Holte – present;
Marty Milanowski - present; Madelaine Rekemeyer – present via Teams; Jim Crandall - present;
Sue Rosa - present; Dennis Pocernich - present; Jan Lee - present. Present -13, Absent -0. A
quorum was present to conduct business.
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator; Lynn M. Divine, County Clerk;
Jaime Cadotte, Clerk II; Skyler Dural-Eder, NWCEP Executive Director; Tom German,
Executive Secretary of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands; Jeremy Walworth,
Veterans Benefit Specialist; Tom Croteau, Human Services Director, Carolyn Novak, Human
Services Aging Services Coordinator; Brynna Watters-Moffitt, Human Services Adult Protective
Services Manager, Judge John Anderson; Via Teams- Jake Benson, Highway Commissioner;
Kim Mattson, Finance Director; Aaron Kalmon, and other members of the public.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.
Public Hearing 2026 Bayfield County Budget. Abeles-Allison gave an overall summary of the
budget. The main focus on the 2026 budget is to levy the maximum amount available based on
support of short-term borrowing for highway reconstruction in 2026, Northern Lights health
services, county-wide EMS, Chequamegon Human Association’s new building for animal
control in Bayfield County, workforce development strategies, investing in housing,
consolidating services when possible, increasing human services risk reserves, social service
programs, and emergency services funds, as well as prioritizing housing, senior citizen supports
and sheriff and emergency services.
The Public Hearing was closed at 6:20 p.m.
Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt the 2025 Tax Levy. Milanowski made a motion to
adopt the 2025 Tax Levy to be paid in 2026, in the amount of $16,986,983, seconded by
Sandstrom. Roll Call Vote: Pocernich-Yes; Sandstrom-Yes; Rosa-Yes; Dougherty-Yes;
Crandall-Yes; Fickbohm-Yes; Rekemeyer-Yes; Ray-Yes; Milanowski-Yes; Lee-Yes; Olsen-Yes;
Strand-Yes; Holte-Yes. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0.
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Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt the 2026 Budget. Rosa made a motion to adopt the
2026 Budget of $58,543,474, seconded by Lee. Roll Call Vote: Pocernich-Yes; Sandstrom-Yes;
Rosa-Yes; Dougherty-Yes; Crandall-Yes; Fickbohm-Yes; Rekemeyer-Yes; Ray-Yes;
Milanowski-Yes; Lee-Yes; Olsen-Yes; Strand-Yes; Holte-Yes. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0;
Absent-0.
Approval of September 30, 2025, Minutes: Milanowski made a motion to approve the
September 30, 2025, meeting Minutes, seconded by Rosa. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0;
Absent-0.
Public Comment: None.
Recognition Resolutions:
Discussion and Possible Action, Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-109 In Recognition of
Veterans Day 2025. Jeremy Walworth, Bayfield County Veterans Benefit Specialist read the
Resolution. Milanowski made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-109, seconded by
Crandall. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0.
Discussion and Possible Action, Resolution No. 2025-110 In Recognition of the Bayfield
County Elderly Nutrition Program on their recent award of $10,000 for the Senior Meals
Program from 100 Who Care. Tom Croteau, Human Services Director gave an overview of
the resolution and introduced and recognized his staff Carolyn Novak and Brynna Watter-
Moffitt. Strand made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-110, seconded by Rekemeyer.
Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0.
Discussion and Possible Action, Resolution No. 2025-111 Snowplow Awareness and
Operator Appreciation. Milanowski made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-111,
seconded by Crandall. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0.
Discussion and Possible Action, Resolution No. 2025-112 Recognizing Tom German,
Bureau of Public Lands. Abeles- Allison recognized Tom German, Executive Secretary of the
Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, for his outreach, energy, and commitment to public
service. Tom thanked Abeles-Allison for the honor and talked about his time working with
Bayfield County. Olsen made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-112, seconded by Lee.
Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0.
Discussion and Possible Action, Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-113 Recognizing the
50th Anniversary of the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald and the local residents aboard.
Judge Anderson gave the Board some history on the Edmund Fitzgerald. Aaron Kalmon,
Bayfield County Economic Support Specialist in Human Services is a relative of Allan Kalmon
who was on the Edmund Fitzgerald. The board presented Kalmon and his family with a wreath
in honor of his uncle. Kalmon thanked the board for the honor and gift. Lee made a motion to
approve Resolution No. 2025-113, seconded by Sandstrom. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0;
Absent-0.
NWCEP Executive Director Presentation, Skyler Dural-Eder. Larry Fickbohm invited
Dural-Eder to come and speak to the Board and talk about what CEP does for the community.
Dural-Eder gave an overview of NWCEP service highlights including leveraging more than
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1,000,000 for training and support resources for the 10-county region, averaging $100,000 per
county. The program helps with career planning, training assistance, on-the-job training, youth
career academies, business services, youth apprenticeship, job books, and vocational rehab
support.
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Consent Agenda Items.
a) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-114 DHS Budget Amendment
b) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-115 Digital Navigator Budget Amendment
c) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-116 Crisis Intervention Grant Budget
Amendment
d) Report 2025-11 of the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Committee, Petition
to Change District Boundaries of a parcel owned by Jerald Motyka, Town of
Cable, from Agricultural-1 (A-1) to Industrial (I) AND Discussion and Possible
Action, Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance 2025-11. Petition to Change
District Boundaries of a parcel owned by Jerald Motyka, Town of Cable, from
Agricultural-1 (A-1) to Industrial (I).
e) Discussion and Possible Action, Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-117
Knowles Nelson Stewardship Grant Application for the Acquisition of County
Forest Land
Ray noted that item d) will be approving the Planning and Zoning Committee’s recommendation
to deny the petition. Lee made a motion to approve all consent agenda items (a-e), seconded by
Crandall. Roll call vote: Dougherty-Yes; Olsen-Yes; Rekemeyer-Yes; Sandstrom-Yes;
Fickbohm-Yes; Pocernich-Yes; Rosa-Yes; Ray-Yes; Lee-Yes; Strand-Yes; Holte-Yes; Crandall-
Yes; Milanowski-Yes. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0.
Discussion and Possible Action, Tribal-County Law Enforcement Agreement. Sandstrom
made a motion to approve the agreement, seconded by Dougherty. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-
0; Absent-0.
Discussion and Possible Action, Board of Adjustment Alternate Appointment. No action
taken.
Discussion and Possible Action, Ordinance Regarding Discharge of Firearms at the
Bayfield County Business Park, Town of Eileen. Strand made a motion to adopt Ordinance
Title 5, Chapter 11 Discharge of firearms in Certain Locations, seconded by Milanoski. Motion
carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0.
Discussion and Possible Action, Resolution No. 2025-118 Transfer of Funds from General
Fund Balance to Department of Human Services Risk Reserve Fund. Tom Croteau,
Bayfield County Human Services Director gave a brief description of the Resolution. Motion
made by Crandall to approve Resolution No. 2025-118, seconded by Holte. Roll call vote:
Dougherty-Yes; Olsen-Yes; Rekemeyer-Yes; Sandstrom-Yes; Fickbohm-Yes; Pocernich-Yes;
Rosa-Yes; Ray-Yes; Lee-Yes; Strand-Yes; Holte-Yes; Crandall-Yes; Milanowski-Yes. Motion
carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0.
Discussion and Possible Action, Resolution No. 2025-119 Support for Maxwell Forest
Project in Partnership with Landmark Conservancy. Strand made a motion to approve
Resolution No. 2025-119, seconded by Sandstrom. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0.
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Discussion and Possible Action, 2025-2026 Youth Local Government Scholarship
Appropriation. Abeles -Allison talked about the Youth Local Government Scholarship
Program and changes that are being proposed, including opening it up to grades 9-12, options of
including poster or video submissions, meeting requirements, and scholarship prizes of 1st, 2nd,
and 3rd place winners, as well as an Honorable Mention and People’s Choice award. Holte made
a motion to approve proposed changes to the 2025-2026 Youth Local Government Scholarship
Contest, seconded by Fickbohm. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0.
Discussion and Possible Action, Emergency Assistance Support Update and Fund
Appropriation. Abeles-Allison gave an update on federal and state assistance support to
residents. The focus is on three major assistance programs, Energy Assistance, Food Share, and
WIC. There is $75,000 set aside for LIHEAP. As of now, there will be no SNAP benefits for
November. The county is currently looking at doing food drives and helping to support a
regional food drive. Dougherty would like the county to give money to the food pantries as they
have more purchasing power through vendors at a reduced price. Rosa made a motion for the
county to give a total of $500,000 to local food pantries. The motion failed due to not being
seconded. Ray made a motion to the Administrator’s idea to support food drives, seconded by
Rekemeyer. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. The topic of money being given to local
food pantries will be brought to the Executive Committee on November 6, 2025.
Discussion and Possible Action, Resolution No. 2025-120 Supporting Non-State
Infrastructure Project at the Chequamegon Humane Association. Crandall made a motion
to approve Resolution No. 2025-120, seconded by Lee. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0.
Discussion and Possible Action, Adopting Bayfield County Subrecipient Monitoring Policy.
Crandall made a motion to approve adopting the Bayfield County Subrecipient Monitoring
Police, seconded by Ray. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0.
Reports:
a.) Future County Board Meeting Dates:
a. November 12, 2025 (Wednesday)
b. December 30, 2025 (No meeting planned)
c. January 27, 2026
b.) Emergency Medical Services Report. Abeles-Allison reported that EMS Services
are continuing to have an increase in calls and not enough EMS providers to respond.
Bayfield County is working with the EMS Directors from across the county to develop
long-range EMS plans that address EMS system reliability, sustainability, and patient
outcomes. Bayfield County expects to begin evaluating EMS plans by the end of the
calendar year and are also exploring an innovation grant application, available for the
first five years of operation.
Supervisors’ Reports: Fickbohm discussed Flock cameras and stated he has received several calls
regarding them. He would like some information from the Sheriff to be distributed or hold some
public meetings about it. Sandstrom added he would like a talking point sheet from the Sheriff to
help answer questions and discuss the topic with constituents.
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Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, Pocernich adjourned the meeting at
7:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Lynn M. Divine
Bayfield County Clerk
lmd/jc
Copies of Bayfield County Resolutions may be obtained by contacting the Bayfield County
Clerk’s Office at (715) 373-6100
The Bayfield County Code of Ordinances can be found at
https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/752/County-Ordinances