Portage County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

County Board approves $60.3M borrowing, adopts capital and safety plans

The Portage County Board of Supervisors approved a $60,305,000 general obligation promissory note sale at its Aug. 18 meeting, the largest single financial action of the past two weeks. The board also adopted the 2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan, a Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, and a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, and authorized contract amendments for courthouse and jail construction.

County Board

The $60.3 million bond sale passed by voice vote with no negative votes. The board adopted the Capital Improvement Plan and Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan by voice vote with no negatives; the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan passed with one nay. The board also approved contract amendments with J.H. Findorff & Son for the courthouse remodel Phase 1 and the jail Bid Package 2, both by voice vote with no negatives. A resolution adding a citizen member to the Land and Water Conservation Committee passed 18-5-1. The board also approved Delta Dental as a voluntary dental insurance provider for 2027-2028.

Construction contracts

The Space and Properties Committee on Aug. 10 approved contract items by voice vote with no negatives: a contract amendment with J.H. Findorff & Son for Phase 1 courthouse remodel, a second amendment for Bid Package 2 (Mass Grading and Utilities) for the new jail, and authorization for AET for third-party geotechnical and environmental testing.

Housing and health

The Housing Authority Board on Aug. 12 approved $112,679.88 in April disbursements. The Health and Human Services Board on Aug. 17 approved acceptance of a Community Mental Health Services Block Grant Supplemental Award and a related budget amendment, plus a new Economic Support Specialist - Lead position, all by voice vote with no negatives. The board also appointed Suzanne Oehlke to the CST Advisory Committee.

Coming up

• Solid Waste Management Board, Aug. 24: discussion and possible action on the 2027 budget.
• Planning and Zoning Committee, Aug. 25: public hearings on two rezoning requests — REQ-2026-012 in Buena Vista (41.63 acres, A1 to A3) and REQ-2026-013 in Plover (4 acres to C4, 25.27 acres to A2).
• Public Safety/Emergency Management Committee, Aug. 26: consideration of a five-year Axon body-worn camera agreement (2027-2031), a Guardian RFID inmate tracking system, and a three-year Stryker lift/load cot maintenance deal.
• South Central Library System Board, Aug. 27: review of financial statements and approval of bills.

Portage County adopts safety and bicycle plans, approves Hull rezoning

The Portage County Planning and Zoning Committee on July 28 adopted the county's Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, and approved a rezoning request in the Town of Hull. The committee also denied a refund request for permit fees.

Planning and Zoning Committee

The committee approved REQ-2026-011, a Future Land Use Map Amendment and Rezoning in the Town of Hull, by voice vote. It also approved MOD-2026-001, a modification request for lot depth and width in the Town of Hull, by voice vote. The committee adopted the Portage County Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and the Portage County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, both by voice vote. A request to refund permit fees for Richter CSM and Zoning permit failed for lack of a second. Minutes from May 26 and June 23 were approved.

Health and Human Services Board

On August 3, the board approved acceptance of a Traffic Safety Grant for Child Passenger Safety Seats and a related budget amendment/transfer request, both by voice vote with no negative votes. The board also approved the July 20, 2026 meeting minutes.

Executive/Operations Committee

On August 4, the committee approved a resolution to revise Portage County Code Section 3.1.17, adding a citizen member to the Land and Water Conservation Committee, by a 4-1 vote. It also approved appointments of Kari Sittig to the Local Emergency Planning Committee, and Anthony Luchinni, Andrea Krantz, Kristen Johnson, and Paul Bushmaker to the Traffic Safety Commission, all by voice vote with no negatives. Special meeting reports and payment authorization requests were approved, as were the July 7 minutes.

Solid Waste Management Board

On July 28, the board approved a contingency plan for deer carcass disposal, authorizing staff to place a dumpster onsite and implement fees not to exceed $200 per ton with a minimum charge of up to $10 per vehicle. The vote was by voice vote with one negative. The board also approved May meeting minutes.

Public Library Board

On July 29, the board approved the 2025 PCPL Budget as proposed and the financials as reported, both by voice vote. It also approved the June 17, 2026 meeting minutes.

Coming up

• **Space and Properties Committee** (Aug. 10): Consider contract amendments with J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. for the courthouse remodel and new jail project, and authorize third-party testing for jail construction.
• **Finance Committee** (Aug. 10): Weigh a $60,305,000 general obligation promissory note sale and the 2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan.
• **Land and Water Conservation Committee** (Aug. 11): Vote on Healthy Lakes and Rivers Grant resolutions and a citizen member addition to the committee.
• **Housing Authority Board** (Aug. 12): Consider exiting the Rural Development Section 515 affordable housing program via loan prepayment.
• **Agriculture and Extension Education Committee** (Aug. 13): Review department budget and approve minutes.
• **Park Commission** (Aug. 13): Discuss a commercial drivers license agreement, a 2027 Fish and Game Conservation Aids Grant, and 2027 budget.

Portage County Board authorizes $60.3M in promissory notes; highway, zoning, and solid waste actions round out busy two weeks

The Portage County Board approved the sale of approximately $60,305,000 in General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026A, to finance the first phase of a county project, marking the largest financial decision among recent county meetings.

County Board: $60.3M in notes, zoning changes, fee increase

At its July 21 meeting, the County Board voted to authorize the sale of approximately $60,305,000 in general obligation promissory notes. The board also increased the marriage license fee to $125.00 effective January 1, 2027, and approved 2026 budget amendments and transfers.

Four zoning changes were approved: the Richter parcel in the Town of Sharon was changed to A4 General Agricultural; the Dekay parcel was changed to A3 Low Density Agricultural; the Wojtalewicz parcel in the Town of Sharon was changed to A3 Low Density Agriculture; and the Harris parcel was changed from C3 Commercial to C4 Highway Commercial. The board also confirmed appointments to Lake Districts, the Commission on Aging, the Board of Adjustment, and the Park Commission.

Highway Committee: speed limits, plows, and project contracts

The Highway Committee, also meeting July 21, approved several items by unanimous vote. It extended the 45-mph speed limit on CTH Y north to 1,200 feet north of Sharonwood Lane and adjusted speed zones on CTH KK, including new 45-mph zones and a modified 55-mph southern limit.

The committee approved a budget amendment for the CTH E project (CTH HH to Dam Road), authorized a contract with Terra Ventures for professional real estate services for the CTH R project, and approved the 2027 equipment purchase of underbody plows. No action was taken on rumble strip installation on CTH N east of CTH BB.

Planning and Zoning: safety and bicycle plans adopted

On July 28, the Planning and Zoning Committee adopted the Portage County Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and the Portage County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, both by voice vote. The committee approved a future land use map amendment and rezoning in the Town of Hull (REQ-2026-011) and a modification request for lot depth and width in the Town of Hull (MOD-2026-001). A request to refund permit fees for Richter CSM and zoning permit was denied for lack of a second.

Solid Waste: deer carcass dumpster fees authorized

The Solid Waste Management Board voted July 28 to authorize staff to place a deer carcass dumpster onsite and implement fees not to exceed $200 per ton with a minimum charge of up to $10 per vehicle, as a contingency plan if federal funding is unavailable. The vote passed with one negative vote.

Other meetings

The South Central Library System Board of Trustees approved bills totaling $138,494.98, the 2026 midyear budget review, and the annual performance review of the system director, all unanimously, on July 23.

The Transportation Coordinating Committee elected Bob Gifford as Chairperson and Karalyn Peterson as Vice Chairperson, both with all ayes and no nays. The committee accepted the 2025 Annual Financial Report, the Q1 2026 85.21 Report, and the Q1 2026 OAA Report.

The Health and Human Services Board (July 20), Public Safety/Emergency Management Committee (July 22), Board of Adjustment (July 29), and Public Library Board (July 29) met or were scheduled to meet, but minutes have not yet been published. Agenda items for those bodies included the 2027 HHS budget public hearing, state grant applications, a holding tank request at 343 County Rd E S in the Town of Carson, and the 2027 library budget proposal.

Coming up

• **Aug. 3 — Health and Human Services Board:** Will consider accepting a Traffic Safety Grant for child passenger safety seats and hear presentations on WIC, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, and Q2 2026 public health statistics.
• **Aug. 4 — Executive/Operations Committee:** Will review draft 2027 budgets for Corporation Counsel and County Clerk, consider a code revision adding a citizen member to the Land and Water Conservation Committee, and update the 2026 Strategic Plan.
• **Aug. 5 — Human Resources Committee:** Will vote on a new part-time Energy Sustainability Specialist position, dental and long-term disability insurance providers, and an Employee Assistance Program provider for 2027–2029.
• **Aug. 5 — Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Advisory Committee:** Will review draft land division and development ordinance language and a groundwater protection presentation.
• **Aug. 6 — Local Emergency Planning Committee:** Will elect officers, set its 2026–2028 meeting schedule, and review off-site plans for 10 local facilities including Stevens Point Brewery and UNFI Distribution Co.

Housing Authority approves $112,679.88 in April disbursements; County Board to weigh $60.3 million in notes July 21

The Portage County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners approved $112,679.88 in April 2026 disbursements at its July 8 meeting, the largest dollar action taken by a county body over the past two weeks. Meanwhile, the County Board is scheduled to vote July 21 on the sale of approximately $60,305,000 in General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026A.

Housing Authority

The Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, meeting July 8, approved its May 13, 2026, meeting minutes 5-0 and April 2026 disbursements totaling $112,679.88, also 5-0. The board entered a closed session for housing and staff discussion (5-0) and, in that session, authorized the Executive Director to continue communications with Rural Development regarding low-income housing complexes (4-0). The board also approved the July 8, 2026, meeting date and time (4-0).

Health and Human Services Board

The Health and Human Services Board, meeting July 6, approved meeting minutes from June 15, 2026, with proposed changes, by voice vote. The board then entered a closed session to consider specific personal histories related to permanency planning (9-0).

Committee agendas (minutes not yet published)

Several committees met in the past two weeks with agendas posted but minutes not yet available:

• **Finance Committee (July 13):** Reviewed a proposal to sell approximately $60,305,000 in General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026A; the proposed 2027–2032 Capital Improvement Plan for facilities, highways, parks, and IT; a $60,000 WI Focus on Energy grant application; a resolution authorizing 2026 budget amendments and transfers; and proposed 2027 worker's compensation rates.
• **Space and Properties Committee (July 14):** Received quarterly budget and facilities reports, including purchasing reports on the Courthouse Remodel, New Jail/LEC, and Solid Waste Remodel.
• **Land and Water Conservation Committee (July 14):** Discussed a Farmland Preservation Plan grant application opportunity, a Natural Resource Conservation Service update, a Nutrient Management Farmer Education 2027 grant application report, and reports on Lake Helen, Lake Jacqueline, and McDill Pond Protection and Rehabilitation Districts and the Portage County Drainage District.
• **Groundwater Citizens Advisory Committee (July 16):** Reviewed minutes from October 16, 2025, final WATER Project numbers, and a 2027 County Wide Groundwater Study.
• **Agriculture and Extension Education Committee (July 9):** Reviewed a year-to-date budget report, introduced new educators, discussed a possible regenerative agriculture workshop, considered support for a UW-Extension Rural Transformation Grant application, and reviewed minutes from March 12, 2026.

Coming up

• **July 20 — Health and Human Services Board:** Public hearing on the 2027 Health and Human Services budget; possible approval of applications and budget amendments for a Community Mental Health Services Block Grant Supplemental Award, a 2017 Wisconsin Act 260 Foster Parent Grant, and a Caring for Communities Grant.
• **July 21 — County Board:** Vote on the sale of approximately $60,305,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026A; zoning ordinance map amendments for Richter, Dekay, Wojtalewicz, and Harris; an increase to the marriage license fee; 2026 budget amendments and transfers; and appointments to the Commission on Aging, Board of Adjustment, and Park Commission.
• **July 21 — Highway Committee:** Preliminary speed study results for CTH Y (STH 66 to Dewey Drive) and CTH KK (Timberline Road to CTH A); rumble strip installation on CTH N east of CTH BB in the Town of Buena Vista; a CTH E project budget amendment request (CTH HH – Dam Road); a contract with Terra Ventures for professional real estate services for the CTH R Project; and a 2027 equipment purchase for underbody plows.
• **July 22 — Public Safety/Emergency Management Committee:** Sheriff's Office awards presentation and activity reports from Emergency Management, EMS, and the Jail.
• **July 23 — South Central Library System Board of Trustees:** Review of financial statements, approval of bills, and an ILS and governance update presentation by S. Schultz.
• **July 23 — Transportation Coordinating Committee:** Election of chairperson and vice chairperson; review of the 2025 Annual Financial Report and first-quarter 2026 reports; and discussion of volunteer driver program reimbursement rates and insurance.
• **July 29 — Board of Adjustment:** Public hearing on Petition PET-2026-009, a request for a special exception to install holding tanks for commercial and public use at 343 County Rd E S in the Town of Carson; election of officers; and approval of minutes from April 20 and May 18.