Douglas County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Douglas County Revolving Loan Fund approves $25,000 for Gordon building rehab

The Douglas County Revolving Loan Fund Executive Board approved a $25,000 loan to JLKnutson Properties, LLC for rehabilitating an existing building in the Town of Gordon into a rental space and bar/restaurant. The loan carries a 5.5% interest rate, a 60-month term, and a 120-month amortization, with automatic payments and a personal guarantee. The board also approved the minutes of its Dec. 15, 2025 meeting.

Other recent meetings

The County Board met on Aug. 20, but minutes are not yet published. Its agenda included a vote on a zoning change for 11783 S Estway Rd in Solon Springs from C-1 Commercial to RR-1 Residential Recreational, four land sales (to Matthew and Deanna Eserhut for $22,050, to Dalbec Sport & Cycle LLC for $2,025, to New York Avenue Properties LLC for $18,000), and a resolution approving the 2026 Surface Water Grant. The board also was scheduled to consider a new Generative AI use policy and hear reports on UW-Extension services, county finances, and federal habeas corpus petitions.

The Committee of the Whole held its annual planning meeting on Aug. 20. No formal action was taken. The agenda included a review of the 2026 tax levy and projections for 2027, including a proposed 10% increase in health insurance premiums, and discussion of two new CLTS Social Worker/Case Manager positions and an Environmental Health Specialist. Challenges cited included rising personnel costs, stagnant revenue, and funding uncertainties for emergency management.

The Department Managers meeting on Aug. 13 was informational, with no votes. It included updates on the upcoming County Board vote on priorities, the schedule for 2026 budget meetings, and a planned presentation of a new AI Policy.

The Extension, Education & Recycling Committee met on Aug. 19. Its agenda included the 2027 Extension Department budget proposal and a report on recycling container contamination fees totaling $4,218 since 2023. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

The Land & Development Committee will meet Aug. 25 to review 2027 budget requests totaling $139,500 for the Development Association, Historical Society, and 4H. A key item is a request to designate $59,500 from the Exodus Reserve to support small businesses during the Blatnik Bridge closure. The committee will also discuss a potential division of a Parkland industrial park parcel.

The Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing Aug. 26 at 10:00 a.m. in Government Center Room 201 to consider two area variances for a property at 10714 S Tracy Rd in Solon Springs. The variances would allow a dwelling addition and a deck within the 75-foot setback from Upper St Croix Lake, and the deck also within the 10-foot side lot line setback.

The Public Safety Committee will meet Aug. 27 to review proposed 2027 budgets for 12 departments and consider six new ordinances covering parking, phone misuse, computer misuse, loitering, golf carts, and theft. The agenda also includes informational items on Flock Safety camera usage and transparency procedures for elected officials.

Douglas County land committee accepts high bids for three parcels; other boards meet on policy items

The Douglas County Land & Development Committee accepted high bids for three land parcels at its July 28 meeting, forwarding them to the County Board for approval. The committee also set minimum bid amounts for seven additional parcels and voted to keep its current bid review policy unchanged. No other recent county meetings produced final decisions, though several committees met to discuss proposed ordinances, budgets, and policy changes.

Land & Development Committee (July 28)

The committee unanimously approved high bids for three parcels: BID 10-26 ($6,075), BID 11-26 ($8,075), and BID 12-26 ($6,075), all located in Superior and Oliver. These bids will be forwarded to the County Board for final action.

Minimum bid amounts were set for seven other parcels: BID 3-26 ($2,500), BID 4-26 ($1,000), BID 5-26 ($1,500), BID 6-26 ($1,000), BID 7-26 ($1,500), BID 8-26 ($500), and BID 13-26 ($6,500).

The committee rejected a proposal to change the bid referral policy, opting to maintain current review procedures. Minutes from the June 30, 2026 meeting were also approved.

Public Safety Committee (July 30)

The committee met to discuss a wide range of proposed amendments to Chapter 4 of county ordinances. Items on the agenda included new ordinances for loitering and/or prowling, operation of golf carts on county highways, theft of property, unlawful use of telephone, and unlawful use of computerized communication systems. Proposed repeals covered the Dance Hall Ordinance, Sale of Alcohol Beverages to Intoxicated Persons, and the Douglas County Parking Ordinance. The committee also reviewed proposed new titles for ordinances on fireworks, retail theft, and harassment, as well as ordinance 4.32B on stopping and parking restrictions. No votes or decisions were recorded; minutes have not yet been published.

Children's Community Options Program (August 5)

The advisory committee met to review the 2027 Children's Community Options Program (CCOP) Plan, along with the program budget, procedures guide, and committee bylaws. Approval of the plan and minutes from March 11, 2026 were on the agenda, but no decisions have been published.

Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (August 5)

The committee met to consider two key items: a policy change to include the Local Small Structure Improvement Program (LSSIP) in the 2027 County Aid to Bridges request (with up to 90% state cost share), and a resolution approving recommended changes to the rural functional classification system for roads, which affects federal funding eligibility. Informational updates covered highway utility permit fees and departmental reports on projects, staffing, maintenance, equipment, and budget. No decisions were recorded.

Administration Committee (August 6)

The committee reviewed departmental financial reports and goals, considered an audit report and a proposed Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Use Policy, and discussed a referral from the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee regarding County Aid to Bridges policy. Informational items included American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and a formal policy complaint from Sheriff Izzard. The committee did not take County Board action but referred items for further consideration.

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (August 6)

The council met to approve minutes from May 20, 2026, select 2027 meeting dates, review the membership change process, and approve a Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) grant application. It also discussed forming a subcommittee for a Warrant Resolution Day in Spring 2027. No decisions have been published.

Coming up

• **Department Managers** – August 13, 2026: Routine administrative meeting to discuss the 2026 budget process, county challenges and opportunities, and departmental updates. No formal decisions are scheduled.

Douglas County committees approve land sales, library agreement, and invasive species grant resolution

Douglas County committees took action on land sales, a library service agreement, and a state grant application over the past two weeks, while several upcoming meetings will tackle bridge aid policy, ordinance amendments, and a sheriff's policy complaint.

Land & Development Committee accepts three high bids, sets minimums for seven more

On July 28, the Land & Development Committee unanimously accepted high bids for three county land parcels and forwarded them to the County Board for final approval. The accepted bids were BID 10-26 at $6,075, BID 11-26 at $8,075, and BID 12-26 at $6,075, covering parcels in Superior and Oliver. The committee also set minimum bid amounts for seven additional parcels: BID 3-26 ($2,500), BID 4-26 ($1,000), BID 5-26 ($1,500), BID 6-26 ($1,000), BID 7-26 ($1,500), BID 8-26 ($500), and BID 13-26 ($6,500). A proposal to change the bid referral policy was rejected; the committee voted to leave the current review procedures in place. Members also approved minutes from the June 30, 2026 meeting.

Libraries Committee approves service plan and NWLS agreement

On July 22, the Libraries Committee approved updates to the Douglas County Library Service Plan and the NWLS 2027 Douglas County Library Service Agreement, which includes an increased service fee. Both items passed by motion. The committee also reviewed several informational reports on budgets, statistics, and library agreements, and approved minutes from its July 16, 2025 meeting.

Land & Water Conservation Committee backs aquatic invasive species grant application

On July 21, the Land & Water Conservation Committee unanimously approved a 2026 Surface Water Grant Resolution authorizing the Land Conservationist to apply for Surface Water grants, and referred the resolution to the County Board. The committee also discussed the environmental implications of potential data center development in Douglas County. Minutes from the May 12, 2026 meeting were approved.

Public Safety Committee reviews Chapter 4 ordinance overhaul

On July 30, the Public Safety Committee met to review a broad set of proposed amendments, repeals, and new ordinances within Chapter 4. Proposed new ordinances cover loitering and/or prowling, operation of golf carts on county highways, theft of property, unlawful use of telephone, and unlawful use of computerized communication systems. Proposed repeals include the Dance Hall Ordinance, the ordinance on sale of alcohol beverages to intoxicated persons, and the Douglas County Parking Ordinance. New titles were proposed for ordinances regarding fireworks, retail theft, and harassment. The committee also reviewed ordinance 4.32B on restrictions on stopping and parking within Douglas County. Minutes were not yet published, so outcomes of these items are not yet confirmed.

Coming up

• **Aug. 5 — Children's Community Options Program Advisory Committee:** Will consider approval of the 2027 CCOP Plan, plus review of the program budget, procedures guide, and bylaws.
• **Aug. 5 — Transportation & Infrastructure Committee:** Will decide on a 2027 County Aid to Bridges request that would include the Local Small Structure Improvement Program (up to 90% state cost share) and a Functional Classification Resolution for rural roads affecting federal funding eligibility. Informational updates on highway utility permit fees, projects, and the Highway Department budget are also scheduled.
• **Aug. 6 — Administration Committee:** Will review an audit report, consider a Generative Artificial Intelligence Use Policy, discuss American Rescue Plan Act funding, and take up a formal policy complaint from Sheriff Izzard.
• **Aug. 6 — Criminal Justice Coordinating Council:** Will act on 2027 meeting dates, a membership change process, a Treatment Alternatives and Diversion grant application, and a subcommittee for a Spring 2027 Warrant Resolution Day.
• **Aug. 13 — Department Managers:** Routine administrative meeting to discuss the 2026 budget process and county challenges; no formal decisions are scheduled.