Oconto County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Oconto County LEPC approves 2026 hazardous material plans; committees review budgets, land purchase

The Local Emergency Planning Committee approved the 2026 off-site hazardous material plans at its July 28 meeting, the only formal decision among recent county meetings. The committee also received updates on the Fox Solar LLC project and the 2026 spill report.

Emergency planning

The LEPC approved the agenda, the May 26, 2026 meeting minutes, and the completed 2026 off-site plans as submitted. No vote tallies were recorded in the minutes.

Board of Adjustments

At its annual organization meeting on July 29, the Board of Adjustments elected officers unanimously: Al Sleeter as Chair and Vice Chair, and Carol Heise as Secretary. The board also approved the business meeting agenda, the June 23, 2026 business meeting minutes, and the July 29, 2026 public hearing minutes. No zoning or land-use variances were decided.

On the agenda: upcoming committee discussions

Several county committees met in early August with agenda items but no published minutes yet. These items are proposals or discussions, not final decisions.

Land & Water Resources (Aug. 4) – The committee will review 2027 budget proposals for LIS/Land Records, Land & Water Conservation, and Planning & Zoning/Solid Waste. It will also discuss a proposed data center moratorium, a local operating agreement with Fox Solar, LLC, suggested zoning ordinance text amendments, a LumberJack RC&D grant application for Suring Park, and proposed sale changes for Timber Sale Tract 9-26.

Health & Human Services (Aug. 5) – The board will consider approving 2026 contracts with Marinette County DHHS totaling $37,874.46 and amendments with Clarity Care Facility totaling $97,055.66. It will also review an opioid abatement fund balance of $203,000, approve an amended 2026 fee schedule, and approve a DHS lease at $4,000 monthly rent.

Highway (Aug. 6) – The committee will discuss purchasing land at the northwest corner of State Highways 22 and 141 for a new facility campus and outbuildings. It will also review a proposed order of two quad-axle and one single-axle vehicles with plow equipment, estimated at $1,205,000 for the 2027 budget, and prior month vendor payments totaling $1,860,267.36 (net). Paving goals for 2026 target 14.31 miles, and staffing updates include one departing operator and a reposted mechanic position.

Mar-Oco Landfill Committee (Aug. 7) – The committee held a public hearing on proposed 2027 administration and operation budgets. It will discuss landfill tipping fees, review RFB #26-009-57 for metal and refrigerant recycling services, and review the July 2026 invoice schedule. A bid from Ralph's Auto Salvage Oconto, LLC proposes $125 per ton for scrap metal removal.

Coming up

The Town of Riverview Board of Review will meet Aug. 20 at 15152 Island Lake Rd. Community Center to examine the 2026 assessment roll, adopt a policy for sworn telephone and written testimony, consider waivers of the 48-hour objection notice requirement, and hear any filed objections. The board will also verify that the town's confidentiality ordinance for income/expense information is in place.

Oconto County Board approves $790,000 for highway and bridge work; LEPC signs off on 2026 hazmat plans

The Oconto County Board approved $790,000 in road and bridge funding at its July 23 meeting, the largest spending decision among recent county meetings. The board also adopted a revised Employee Handbook, confirmed one appointment, and approved a series of zoning changes — all on unanimous 27-0 votes.

County Board: Highway F and CTH CC bridge funded

The board approved $365,000 in sales tax revenue for 1.56 miles of improvements on County Highway F, and $425,000 from sales tax and ARPA interest for repairs to the CTH CC bridge. Both items passed 27-0.

In other business, the board adopted revisions to the Employee Handbook (27-0), confirmed the appointment of Penny Helmle to the Aging Advisory Council (27-0), and approved zoning changes for Luther Farms LLC, Pat Houlihan, Scott Raether, Mary Kozlovsky, Thomas Dake, and Clint Schroeder. Consent rezones for properties in Brazeau, Gillett, Lakewood, and Stiles also passed 27-0.

Local Emergency Planning Committee: 2026 off-site hazmat plans approved

The LEPC approved and signed off on completed 2026 off-site hazardous material plans at its July 23 meeting. Members also approved the agenda and the May 26, 2026 meeting minutes. The committee received updates on the Fox Solar LLC project and the 2026 spill report.

Traffic Safety Commission: Routine approvals

On July 22, the commission approved its meeting agenda and the minutes from April 22, 2026, both carried. The remainder of the meeting consisted of informational reports on highway construction, traffic safety data, and public health safety programs.

Town of Riverview / NOCCO: Ordinance and e-bike review

The NOCCO Towns met July 20 to review progress on town ordinance updates and discuss an e-bike ordinance. The agenda also listed a final NOCCO meeting discussion. Minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

Board of Adjustments: Four public hearings set

The Board of Adjustments was scheduled July 29 to approve previous minutes and conduct public hearings for Mark Turensky, Pat Houlihan, Brian & Cindy Buckles, and Matthew Chevalier & Tammy Roofers. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **Aug. 4 — Land & Water Resources:** Discussion of a proposed data center moratorium, review of a local operating agreement with Fox Solar LLC, suggested zoning ordinance text amendments, a Suring Park grant application through LumberJack RC&D, and proposed changes to Timber Sale Tract 9-26.
• **Aug. 5 — Health & Human Services:** Votes on 2026 contracts with Marinette County DHHS ($37,874.46 total) and Clarity Care Facility ($97,055.66 total), an opioid abatement fund update ($203,000 current balance), an amended 2026 fee schedule, and a DHS lease at $4,000 monthly rent.
• **Aug. 6 — Highway Committee:** Discussion of purchasing land at the northwest corner of State Highways 22 and 141 for a new facility campus, a proposed vehicle order estimated at $1,205,000 for the 2027 budget, review of $1,860,267.36 in prior-month vendor payments, 2026 paving goals of 14.31 miles, and staffing updates.
• **Aug. 7 — MAR-OCO Landfill Committee:** Public hearing on the proposed 2027 landfill administration and operation budgets, discussion of tipping fees, review of a metal and refrigerant recycling bid from Ralph's Auto Salvage Oconto, LLC at $125 per ton for scrap metal removal, and review of the July 2026 invoice schedule.

Oconto County committees forward highway funding, approve contracts and fee changes

The Administration Committee voted to forward two highway funding resolutions to the full County Board, including one for Sales Tax and ARPA interest funding for the County Highway CC Improvement Project and another for County Sales Tax funding for highway road improvement projects. Both motions carried. The committee also forwarded an Employee Handbook resolution to the County Board.

HHS Board approves contracts and DHS lease

The Health and Human Services Board approved a 2026 contract for Ascend Psychiatry, S.C., an amended 2026 fee schedule, and a one-year DHS lease at $4,000 monthly rent. The board appointed Tracy Winkler to the ADRC Governing Board.

Land & Water Resources lowers e-waste fees, allocates rural schools funds

At its July 7 meeting, the committee voted to reduce the electronics recycling fee to $10 and the miscellaneous electronics fee to $5. It approved a road access permit for Dean and Kathleen Listle in the Town of Abrams. The committee entered a brief closed session to confer with legal counsel — Mohr, Scanlan, Kaczrowski, and Cole voted aye — then returned to open session. A Data Center Moratorium draft was scheduled for further discussion at the August meeting.

At its July 13 meeting, the committee adopted a Secure Rural Schools Act fund allocation of 85% to Title I, 5% to Title II, and 10% to Title III. The forestry department agreed to remove an 11-acre overstory removal unit from the proposed timber sale on Tract #09-126.

Property & Technology extends gas contract

The committee approved a one-year extension of the natural gas supply contract for the 2027/2028 heating season at a rate of $4.92 per Dekatherm. It also changed its regular meeting date to the second Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.

Public Safety waives policy for conference lodging

The committee approved a waiver of the Financial Management Policy to allow lodging for the Badger Sheriff Conference and approved payment of the past-due Cooks Direct invoice. No action was taken on a proposed change to the meeting start time.

MAR-OCO accepts financial report, schedules budget hearing

The committee accepted the 2025 Annual Financial Report and Management Letter and scheduled a public hearing for the 2027 landfill budget for August 7, 2026.

Town of Bagley approves recycling center fence

The Town of Bagley board approved purchase of a recycling-center fence for $4,929. The board also approved its financial report and authorized payment of outstanding bills. The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.

Highway Committee agenda lists paving and bridge funding

The Highway Committee's July 9 agenda included a propane supply contract, a sales-tax allocation of $365,000 for additional paving on County Highway F, and use of $293,858 in ARPA interest funds and a $575,640.50 grant for the CTH-CC bridge project. Detour requests for County Trunk Highways A and Y were also listed. Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

Town of Riverview agenda items pending

The Town of Riverview board's July 14 agenda listed an Operator License application for Connie Melter, picnic licenses for the CLFD Brat Fry and RVFD Corn Roast, a contract with the City of Gillett to add the Town of Beaver, and oaths of office for Pete Bushmaker (MAS Commission) and Curt Hoffman (STR Commission). Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **July 20** — NOCCO Towns meeting to review town ordinance progress and discuss an e-bike ordinance.
• **July 22** — Traffic Safety Commission receives informational reports on highway construction, crash data, and a new Wisconsin State Patrol facility in Wrightstown. No formal actions are scheduled.
• **July 23** — County Board considers zoning changes for several towns, county sales-tax funding for highway road improvement projects, an Employee Handbook revision, and an appointment to the Aging Advisory Council (Helmle).
• **July 29** — Board of Adjustments holds public hearings for Mark Turensky, Pat Houlihan, Brian and Cindy Buckles, and Matthew Chevalier and Tammy Roofers.