On Tuesday, April 21, the county board met at the Courthouse in Neillsville at 9 a.m. Twenty-eight were present, one absent. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the first order of business was to give the oaths of office for all members, both verbal and signing their names. The new county board members include David Martin, Carl Kallberg, Tony Horvath, Scott Pralle, and Jerome Krempasky. The next order of business was electing the new Chairperson. Joe Waichullis Jr. and Ken Gerhardt were nominated for chairperson. While the secret ballots were being made and voted on, both candidates said a little about themselves. Three clerks were appointed to help with giving out the ballots and counting them up. Gerhardt won 18-10. Tom Wilcox thanked everyone on the board for his time spent as chairperson. The next order of business was to elect the vice-chair. The nominees were Joe Waichulis Jr. and Scott Jalling. Jalling said a little bit about himself while the ballots were made, given out, collected and counted. Jalling won 18-10.
The next order of business was to elect the committees for Ag & Extension, Finance, and Highway. By election, the Ag and Extension Committee is made up of Roy Tyznik, Randy Sebesta, Fritz Garbisch, Scott Pralle, and David Martin. One of the positions on the finance committee is automatically assigned to the board chair, in this case Ken Gerhardt. The other members of the finance committee, by election, are Duane Boon, Brandon Hasz, DuWayne Trunkel, and Joe Waichulis Jr. The highway committee, by election, are Jeff Kolzow, Riley Ashbeck, Duane Boon, Randy Sebesta, and Scott Johnson.
After that Gerhardt announced that the Committee on Committees would hold a meeting to assign the board members to the various committees. That Committee was made up of Gerhardt, Boon, Jalling, Trunkel, and Hoff. The rest of the board was put in recess until the Committee returned with the assignments. During the recess, heads of various departments talked about their departments and what they did. The departments that spoke included the ADRC, Community Services, Social Services, Health Department, Highway Department, and Planning and Zoning.
After the Committee on Committees returned and handed out the assignments and the board voted to accept them, the last order of business was to approve a sub-lease of space on the Clark County communication tower. Country Wireless would like to put up some of their equipment. The resolution was handed to the board that morning. Johnson asked if there was a need for time. The answer was that there is a slight need for time. Country Wireless is applying for a grant that is due the first week of May and would like this resolved before then. The equipment wouldn’t interfere with the County’s emergency management systems. Stoecker mentioned that he didn’t see where rent money was mentioned and that he had some issues with the wording of the resolution. One of the options that the board thought about was to postpone voting on the resolution. Klabon mentioned that Withee discontinued their deal with Country Wireless for less than optimal service. Tyznik made a motion to postpone the vote indefinitely until more information is provided, Klabon seconded the motion. Corporate Council weighed in, citing that it could have possible impacts with other deals and that the best option would be to refer back to committee with the intention to be more specific in the wording. Tyznik rescinded his motion.
Hasz made a motion to refer it to the committee. Jalling asked for more specifics about why it was being referred and Hasz said it was to tighten the language. Hasz rescinded his motion. Gerhardt mentioned that he is uncertain of approving something when there are so many unknowns and when it was just brought to them with very little time to review it. Riley Ashbeck had no issues with approving it since it won’t cost the county anything to approve it and if the grant goes through, it would give the county $125 a month. Klabon expressed concern over why it’s taken them so long if its due early May. Hasz wondered if the Board is concerned with looking a gift horse in the mouth. Kallberg asked if they should consider amending the third consideration to renegotiate after so many years. Hasz said that would start the back and forth again. It was clarified that the tower is owned by the county, but the land is owned by the city of Greenwood. Hasz and Riley Ashbeck wanted to vote to prevent it from drawing out. Stoecker acknowledged that he started all the concerns. The contract would allow for $125 a month to go to both the county and to the city of Greenwood. Stoecker also highlighted that they need to be mindful of the needs of the people, but to also protect the county. Hasz moved to end the debate. A motion was put forward to approve the resolution as is and was seconded. It passed with 15 Yes, 10 No, and 4 absent.
The minutes for last month were approved. The Committee assignments were approved. The next meeting date is set for May 21 at 7 p.m. at the County Courthouse in Neillsville. The meeting was adjourned.