Richland County Board to Hold Special Meeting

Richland County Board Chair, Dave Turk, began Tuesday night’s board meeting by explaining the reason for the Public Comment being off of the night’s agenda. While some people expressed their displeasure, it soon got quiet when he expressed his feelings and explained that there will be a special meeting next Tuesday, September 24.

The special meeting will be your opportunity to discuss your concerns facing the county.

You are encouraged to attend the special meeting next Tuesday, September 24, at 6:00. County Administrator, Candace Pesch, also encourages anyone who has questions about the cybersecurity incident to call her.

In other business, Angie Wall, Interim Administrator at Pine Valley Community Village, reported that things are going well. People can be assured that they are not understaffed and residents are getting their necessary care. She added that they are currently overstaffed for the number of residents they currently have. She also reiterated that no one will lose their job to being overstaffed. In fact, they currently hired additional CNAs so they are prepared when the census increases. Candace Pesch shared a financial plan which includes Pine Valley paying $725,000 toward the annual budget, which she adds would eventually make Pine Valley solvent, and that there is no plan to sell Pine Valley.

Candace Pesch also presented the Proposed 2025 Budget for the County. It includes an increase in investment income of $150,000; a 5% wage pool to offset a wage study being integrated into the current budget; a reduction in short-term borrowing for capital improvement projects of $408,800; and Short-Term Borrowing done with a local bank, saving approximately $20,000 in bonding fees. It also includes expenses of: General Administration; Public Safety; Transportation; Highway; Culture; Public Areas; Special Education; County Planning; County Development; Debt Service; and Capital Projects. The 2025 Proposed Budget is balanced at $42.5 million. The 2025 Debt Payments Summary is $3.3 million. The debt payments include: General at $937,000; Pine Valley at $1.4 million; the Radio Tower at $321,000; and Short-Term borrowing at $613,000.

This proposed budget does not include an additional patrolman position being requested by Sheriff Clay Porter, which would allow the department to use the addition for court security Monday through Friday. The additional cost would be around $36,000. The board gave the administration direction the power to continue to work on the budget with the additional patrolman included.

In action items, concerning the budget, the Richland County Board of Supervisors authorized to borrow an amount not to exceed $601,200 for capital improvements.

The Department of Health & Human Services was approved to:

Apply for and accept a Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) Grant administered by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, and Department of Health Services in the amount of $177,300. The grant requires a $43,300 County match, up to $28,520 of which will be a cash match. The matching funds have been budgeted for.

And to apply for and accept a Coordinated Services Team Initiative (CST) Grant administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services in the amount of $15,000. The grant requires a $3,000 County match.

A motion to renew a contract with Abt Swayne Law, LLC for Corporation Council saw a mix of options, but was approved on a 13 to 6 vote. It continues at fee rates of $125 per hour for attorneys and $75 per hour for legal assistants through December 31, at which point rates will rise to $150 per hour for attorneys and $80 per hour for legal assistants.

To designate the Executive & Finance Standing Committee as the Interim Ethics Board was discussed, wondering whether it would add on to much responsibility to an already busy committee. A motion was made to make the Zoning & Natural Resources Committee the Interim Ethics Board. That motion failed 15 to 3. The original motion then passed with a sunset date of March 17, 2025 for the Executive & Finance Standing Committee to serve as the Interim Ethics Board 15 to 3 with one abstention.

In other action, the board approved:

A contract with Matrix Care for five years to provide its electric medical records.

A change order to the contract with Edge Consulting Engineers Inc. of Prairie Du Sac, in the amount of $19,300 for necessary changes in work on the Radio Tower Project.

For the Executive and Finance Committee to serve as the Interim Ethics Board

A public participation plan for the Richland County Comprehensive Plan.

And a resolution celebrating and saluting Richland County’s citizen jurors.