The board voted for a resolution to honor Susan Blodgett for over 10 years of service to Sauk County. She served on the Aging and Disability Resource Center committee.

The board confirmed the appointment of Stephanie Beardsley as the new Finance director and Isaiah Bostic as a new citizen member to the Families Come First / Comprehensive Community Service Coordinating Committee.

The board approves the new County board rules to take effect immediately. Some of the highlights include a salary increase for the board chair from $650 a month to $900 a month. The Healthcare Center Board of Trustees has been given the responsibility of General oversight of the Sauk County Health Care Center. Oversight was previously by the ADRC committee. We also approved the elimination of any term limits for the board chair. This last issue took up most of the debate. It appears that Chair McCumber wants to run for another term as Chairman of the Board.

The board approved the resolution to appoint as interim Corporation Council Nick O’Connor and approved the hiring of the law firm Attolles law firm to help the county with legal matters. This was done due to the recent resignation of Corporation Council Brian Desmond.

The board approved the changes in the Sauk County vision insurance. The new plan offers a slight reduction in costs for employees.

The board approved the purchase of a new system to help the Personnel Department track injuries, illnesses, and incidents. This system includes a training Library and the Material Safety Data Sheets database.

The board approved the resolution requesting State support for the administration costs of the SNAP – Foodshare program. The federal budget reconciliation package enacted in July of 2025 changed the administrative maintenance costs from 50% federal / 50% state-local to 25% federal / 75% state-local, with additional penalties built in. This is estimated to cost all Wisconsin counties an additional $17 million dollars. This resolution asks the state to pick up any additional cost as Sauk County cannot absorb the cost with probably having to lay off people and reduce service.

The board approves an application for a TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) award. This will provide us funding for engineering, design, and construction of the North Freedom segment of The Great Sauk State Trail.

The board approved the memorandum of understanding between the UW-Madison of extension and Sauk County.

The board approved the application for three separate grants. The first grant is for the lake monitoring and protection Network. This grant utilizes funds to provide invasive species outreach and education to Sauk County residents. The second Grant is to help with the preservation of the historic Sauk County Farm. The third Grant is for the implementation of the healthy lakes and rivers program.

The board approved the amended Sauk County Farmland preservation plan as part of the Sauk County comprehensive plan.

The board approved an amendment to the town of Merrimac’s zoning ordinance concerning vacation rental establishments.

The board authorized the County Administrator to submit the multi-discharge variance application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 

As always, any opinions expressed here are my opinions and do not represent the Sauk County Board.