On Thursday, July 17, the Clark County Board met at the Courthouse in Neillsville. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call was taken with 26 present and three absent. The first item on the agenda was the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC) annual report that was presented by Scott Allen. He explained that the Regional Planning Commissions were created in 1971 to aid in community planning and development. The state is split into nine regions, Clark County is part of the West Central region, along with several counties to the west. The WCWRPC is governed by a 21-member commission with three representatives from each county. Clark County’s representatives are Peter Kaz, Chuck Rueth, and Joe Waichulis, Jr. The WCWRPC assists governments in planning for the physical, social, and economic needs of the regions focusing on economic development, transportation, community development, and conservation and mapping. The levy is set the same over all the counties. This year it is set at $15,605, with a slight increase every year. Their sole purpose is to serve the public. Part of the WCWRPC is the Regional Business Fund (RBF). They are a nonprofit created in 1995 that is primarily a business revolving loan fund program. It is comprised of nine members who meet monthly and are staffed by the WCWRPC. Clark County’s representative is James Schmidt. They provide a step in the gap of loan and funding for small business with competitive interest rates. They have helped 66 businesses in Clark County since 2007.
The annual report from Forestry and Parks was moved to August. The next item on the agenda was the delegation of Authority to Enter Opioid Settlement Agreements to Designated County Officers. That was passed with a few questions regarding the funding. The county has currently received $357,000 of the $1.1 million in settlements. The money is for fighting opioid abuse. The next item approving an agricultural lease agreement for property in the town of Worden passed with no issues. The Board then approved amendments to the Clark County Code of Ordinances in Chapter 2. After that, the board approved the June minutes. There were no public comments and the meeting adjourned.