On June 5th the Sauk County Board held a special meeting concerning the Health Care Center. Aria had a deadline of July 1st to purchase the Health Care Center before the licensure expired. While there is no reason that they could not reapply, there was a push to finish the deal. In addition, with a lawsuit still pending, Aria was less inclined to purchase until the lawsuit was settled. Therefore, a new approach was offered. A lease of the Health Care Center for 2 years, with the option on two 2-year options to renew. If the lawsuit ended in Aria’s favor, then the lease will convert to a sale with the lease payments as a down payment for the sale.
I have been against this sale every step of the way. My opinion set aside, I take issue with the way this has been handled during my time as a supervisor. The shift from a sale to a lease was information that I only received when I received a petition to have a special meeting of the board. With that petition came no lease information. I only received it when I was at the meeting. To me that is inappropriate. Big decisions like this should allow for time to reflect on issues. We should also be allowed time to speak to people about this issue, including people who are not on the board. Providing information of this magnitude with the expectation to vote the same day is not good governance.
Round 2. Now there is another petition for a special meeting of the Sauk County Board of Supervisors. The state Department of Health Services has informed Aria they will not transfer the license but require Aria to reapply. Aria in turn has informed the county that they are not willing to reapply. With this petition comes a request that supervisors do not discuss any options or assessments with other supervisors before the meeting. We will be provided with information at that meeting, and only then should we discuss it. I find this approach inappropriate and bad governance. Stay tuned.
At the regular meeting we started with a resolution to honor Kevin Schell. Kevin served on the board for over 5 years before his unfortunate death.
The board voted 28-0 to adopt the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The board voted 28-0 to authorize the director of land Resources and Environment to submit an application for a grant for 2026 Clean Sweep Program.
The board voted 28-0 to authorize the creation of the Land Information/Geographic Information Systems Department and Department Director position. This is to change the layout of our departments to reflect how this is already being done. The duties of personnel have shifted over the years, and this change helps within our organization. There are no additional personnel with this change. However, there will be a pay increase for the person selected as director.
The board voted 28-0 to transfer part of County Trunk Highway H to the city of Reedsburg. This was done due to the reconstruction of an intersection into a roundabout.
The board voted 28-0 to create a full-time crew leader in the highway department. This is being done to improve the overall function of the department.
As always, any opinions expressed here are my opinions and do not represent the Sauk County Board.