SHELL LAKE — The Washburn County Board held its reorganizational meeting Tuesday, April 16, which saw new supervisors and youth representatives inducted, new chairs elected and approval of a jail project introduction letter to be sent to residents.
New supervisors sworn in were Miles Macone, District 6, Kelly Cupp, District 25, Travis Odegard, District 6, and Ben Dryden, District 18. Youth representatives Serena Lu, Levi Thornley, Hailey Stariha and Emily Adrihan also took the oath of office.
When it came time to elect chairs and vice chairs, Supervisor Brian Melton nominated Chair Dave Wilson again.
“He entered a rough patch for Washburn County when he had to take over for Mr. (Tom) Mackie,” said Melton.
Mackie passed away suddenly in 2023, and Wilson, as first vice chair, automatically was moved to chair.
First Vice Chair Tim Kessler was nominated for chair, as well, and he won the position.
“I look forward to the next two years as being chair,” he said.
Wilson was then elected as first vice chair, and Supervisor Lolita Olson as second vice chair.
After committee assignments, a review of the jail project introduction letter to county citizens was discussed. The county has been doing a study on the need for a new jail in Shell Lake, as the Wisconsin Department of Corrections said the current jail is not up to code.
The letter had amendments at Tuesday’s meeting. It was amended to include the inmate classification and county liability paragraph to say, “In addition, there is no statutory requirement for any other county to accept our inmates, nor is their any limit on the amount they could charge. The board also added information in the beginning of the letter to state, “Historically this could be the largest fiscal impact to our county,” but this motion failed. The letter was then approved with the original motion as amended.
In other action, the board:
Heard public comment from Linda Zillmer, Birchwood, who thanked Wilson for his service and Kessler for his leadership on the Highway & Dam Committee, and asked the board to consider identifying alternatives for the Zoning Committee since they are working on new bylaws. Steve Wallace, Shell Lake, also spoke, saying he felt his concerns weren’t addressed on a recent rezone near his residence.Approved a letter of support for State Assembly Bill AB102.Authorized the sale of .28 acres of county land.Amended the 2024 capital project budget for facility improvement at the Washburn County Fairgrounds for the Rodeo arena.Approved a resolution for disaster response for Emergency Management to expend emergency funds.Approved a carryover of 2023 Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) funds to the 2024 budget for a Share the Love Event, Pet Grant, Unmet Needs Grant, Vaccine Grant, Healthy Brains and Farmers to Families.Increased the 2023 Aging and ADRC Department budget for monetary contributions, Department of Human Services adjustments, a GWAAR 2022 carryover and 2023 final adjustments for Title III and the American Recovery Plan Act.Appointed Kessler to the Ad Hoc Jail Project Committee and removed Andy Eiche.Presented Rick Coquillette with a plaque for his service on the Local Emergency Planning Committee, and acknowledged GIS Coordinator Nathan Nelson for his service (he is retiring as of June 3).Heard a report from Administrative Coordinator Darci Peckman-Krueger.Introduced the county department heads.
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