Melissa Pingel, Waushara County Administrator, reported at the regular meeting of the Waushara County Board of Supervisors on March 21 at the Waushara County Courthouse that she is setting plans in motion for the move into the Government Center in May of 2024. She said that they are also going to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for scanning documents to save on paper and space in the new facility. She added she is also doing an inventory on spaces. She also said on April 18 at 3 p.m. prior to the board meeting, Dan Foth from UW-Extension will be leading a training session for board members.
Kurt Berner, Vice President of Samuels Group, gave an update on the building project and also requested ARPA funds to be approved to replace the generator at the sheriff’s office at a cost of $663,624. The generator will serve the Sheriff’s office and jail as well as the generator at the kitchen. He also requested the approval of $141,100 to remove the popcorn ceiling in the jail and paint and finish the ceiling. Both items were approved by the board.
Waushara County’s Prevention Coordinator, Christopher Langenfeld, presented the annual report on Child Abuse Prevention where there were 68 cases of child neglect or abuse in the county. He came to the board with props including a blue pinwheel and a sign that read, “Stand Up for Children No Excuse for Child Abuse”. Langenfeld said that several things are planned for getting the word out about Child Abuse Prevention month in April.
Langenfeld believes in bringing joy to a sad situation and standing up for children. He asked for board members and residents to tie blue ribbons on their trees or shrubs. He said it doesn’t make any difference what kind of ribbon – just as long as it is blue. The staff has t-shirts and will have a photo taken for the paper and social media as soon as the weather improves. He also said they are partnering with the library on a Piglet coloring contest for ages 3 to 13 and will provide prizes.
Todd Wahler, Land Conservation and Zoning Director presented his annual report including the fact that the numbers in 2022 were the highest inflationary numbers since 2008. He said despite the rising cost of labor and materials, their office saw a record number across the board of permits issued and overall revenue of $300,000.
Wahler said their department continues to work with water quality efforts in the Cenral Sands Regions through their involvement with the Winnebago Waterways Lake Management Plan as the County recently became and Executive Committee Member/a full voting member of the Winnebago Waterways Program.
Concerning general permit activities, there was a slight decrease in sanitary permits and a 12% increase in Land Use Permits. Based on the first two months of 2023 Wahler said they are keeping pace with last years figures. The office issued 541 land use permits for 78 new homes, 96 additions to homes, and 367 accessory structures. Wahler added that those accessory structures included some very nice $250,000 pole buildings.
There were 178 sanitary permits authorizing 65 new private onsite wastewater treatment systems, and 91 replacement systems and 22 connections to existing systems.
There were 2800 mandatory septic system maintenance notices sent to landowners, resulting in 72 citations, with only 6 of those remaining as outstanding. This represents an overall compliance rate of 99.7%.
Wahler encouraged supervisors to attend the 16th annual Conservation Field Days at Camp Lucerne on Sept. 28 & 29. Last year there were 206 5th graders from all schools in Waushara County. The two-day event for the students was a super learning experience, Wahler said.
Amanda M. Thoma, Medical Examiner, reported to the board that in 2022 she had 217 cases, of those 167 were natural, 20 accidental, 4 suicides, 4 referrals, 5 Green Lake cases, and 10 autopsies. She added that in June she had 34 cases and that was the highest she had ever seen in a month. She also signed 187 death certificates and 166 cremation permits.
She said each death scene is 4-6 hours and another 1-2 to gather medical records and an autopsy can take up to six months.
Thoma said she is part of an Overdose Fatality Review Team with Marquette and Green Lake counties, where they are trying to break the cycle. She said the Tri-County Annual Community Event is scheduled for July 15th from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Redgranite. Thoma is working closely with Sunshine Coffee. There will be a Dash for Stash 5K run/walk, music, food trucks, silent auction, therapy dogs and referral program information.
Sarah Luchini, Finance Director, told the board they are looking at using ARPA funds for the Deparment of Aging Kitchen equipment, washer and dryer in the jail and scanning documents and IT storage. She told the board they have till 2024 to use the funds.
In other business the board passed the vacation carryover policy, updated the meal reimbursement policy and updated the ARPA Funding Plan.
They also voted to recognize in April, National County Government Month, National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week, National Public Health Week, and Work Zone Awareness Week.
The next regular meeting of the Waushara County Board of Supervisors will include a seminar beginning at 3 p.m. and regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18th at the Waushara County Courthouse, Wautoma.
