Land Resources and Extension Committee

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Thursday, October 9, 2025 - 9:00am

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PDF icon LAND RESOURCES AND EXTENSION COMMITTEE AGENDA 10.09.25 (246 KB)

SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MEETING NOTICE

COMMITTEE:           Land Resources and Extension Committee
DATE:                       Thursday, October 9, 2025               TIME:  9:00 a.m.
PLACE:                     County Board Room
                                  505 Broadway, Baraboo, WI

A quorum may be present consisting of members of the Aging & Disability Resource Center Committee; Economic Development Committee;  Finance, Personnel & Insurance Committee; Health and Human Services Committee; Land Resources & Extension Committee; Law Enforcement & Judiciary Committee; Public Works and Infrastructure Committee; and Executive & Legislative Committee.  No governing body will exercise any responsibilities, authority, or duties except for the Land Resources and Extension Committee. It is possible that a quorum of county board members will be at this meeting to gather information about a subject over which they have decision-making responsibility. This constitutes a meeting of the County Board pursuant to State ex rel Badke v. Greendale Village Board, Wis 2d 553, 494 n.w.2d 408 (1993), and must be noticed as such, although the County Board will not take any formal actions at this meeting. It is also possible that there may be quorums of other County Board Committees present, although those committees will not take any formal action at this meeting.

REASON FOR MEETING:  REGULAR

SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION:
1.         Call to order and certify compliance with open meetings law.

2.         Adopt agenda.

3.         Adopt minutes of previous meeting on September 24, 2025

4.         Public comment (3-minute time limit)

5.         Communications.

6.         Land Resources and Environment

  1. Discussion and Possible Action on a Resolution Authorizing Sauk County to Submit an Application to the Wisconsin Department of Administration for the Grants for Local Projects (Non-State Grant Program).
  2. Discussion and Possible Action on a Resolution Authorizing the County Administrator to Submit Multi-Discharger Variance Application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
  3. Discussion and Possible Action on a Resolution Authorizing Sauk County to Submit one Application to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the 2026-2030 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) award cycle.
  4. Discussion and Possible Action on a Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Town of Merrimac Zoning Ordinance concerning vacation rental establishments.

7.         Extension Education

  1. Discussion and Possible Action to recommend Approval of the Resolution for the Memorandum of Understanding between UW-Madison Division of Extension and Sauk County.

8.         Public Hearing:  To begin at approximately 9:15 a.m. or soon thereafter.  Committee to consider and take possible action at the conclusion of the respective hearing.

  1. A petition to consider an Ordinance to approve the amended Sauk County Farmland Preservation Plan pursuant to Wis. Stat. s. 91.10 and made part of the Sauk County Comprehensive Plan.

9.        Land Records

  1. Land Records Department Report.
  2. Review and approval of vouchers.
  3. Review of the proposed Land Records/GIS 2026 Budget.

10.       Register of Deeds

  1. Review and approval of vouchers.
  2. Review of the proposed Register of Deeds 2026 Budget.

11.       Extension Education Continued

  1. Interim Director’s Report
  2. Sauk Extension Highlights
  3. Educator Report:  Danielle Sander, Health & Well-Being Educator     
  4. Review of the proposed Extension Department 2026 budget
  5. Review and approval of vouchers

12.       Land Resources and Environment Continued

  1. Land Resources and Environment Department Report.
  2. Great Sauk State Trail update.
  3. Review and approval of vouchers.
  4. Review of the proposed Land Resources and Environment Department 2026 Budget.
  5. Review and discussion of Great Sauk State Trail gateway site concept plan.
  6. Presentation and discussion on Sauk County wildlife projects.
  7. Discussion and updates on acquisition of property near Timme’s Mill/Delton Dam.
  8. Discussion and possible action on a conditional use permit for a Planned Rural Development (PRD) lot for Eugene Neuheisel pursuant to Chapter 7 Subchapter IX, of the Sauk County Code of Ordinances. The development lot will coincide with an easement to be placed on a 40-acre lot owned by Eugene Neuheisel. Lands affected are located in Section 32 and 33, T9N, R4E in the Town of Spring Green.
  9. Presentation and discussion on Chapter 7 Zoning Ordinance amendment.

13.       Reports

  1.  Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
  2.  Farm Service Agency (FSA)
  3.  Foresters
  4.  Economic Development Committee
  5.  Mirror Lake Management District
  6.   Lake Virginia Management District
  7.   Lake Redstone Protection District
  8.   Southern Area Association – WI Land and Water

14.       Next meeting dates – Tuesday, October 28, 2025 and Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 9:00am

15.       Adjournment

COPIES TO:

Marty Krueger                            LRE Committee                        Lisa Wilson – Admin             
Becky Evert - County Clerk       Desmond – Corp. Counsel     Land Records                        
Reg. of Deeds                             Extension Education               LRE Staff                                 
Jon Field – NRCS                         Janice Kelley – NRCS               Steve Pate – MIS                   
Katy Smith – DATCP                  Phil Peterson – WS                   Nancy Frost - WDNR WM  
Town Chair / Clerk                     Sauk Co Webpage                    Paul Wolter – Historical Soc.
Foresters-Kloppenburg/Morehouse  
 

DATE NOTICE MAILED: Friday, October 3, 2025  
PREPARED BY:  Land Resources and Environment Department

PDF icon LAND RESOURCES AND EXTENSION COMMITTEE MINUTES 10.09.2025 (198 KB)

SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Land Resources and Extension Committee
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, October 09, 2025, at 9:00 am
County Board Room
Sauk County West Square Building


Land Resources and Extension (LRE) Committee members present: M. Krueger (via Teams), D. Polivka, V. McAuliffe, B. Spencer, L. Eberl, B. Prosser, B. Lohr, R. Puttkamer, P. Kinsman (9:12 am).

Others present: L. Wilson, T. Kabat, B. Simmert, C. Fowler, M. Walters, R. Meyer, W. Christensen, J. Fleischman, C. Edgar, D. Sander, J. Gurgel, and S. Brensike.

Absent: B. Prosser

At 9:00 a.m. Vice Chairman Polivka called the Land Resources and Extension Committee meeting to order.  LRE Staff certified the meeting to be compliant with Open Meetings Law. 

Adopt agenda – Motion by Puttkamer / Spencer to adopt the October 9, 2025, agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

Adopt minutes of previous meeting – September 24, 2025 - Motion by McAuliffe / Spencer to adopt the September 24, 2025, LRE Committee meeting minutes.  Motion carried, unanimously.

Public comment – No public comment.

Communications – T. Kabat shared that the County’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration is October 13 at the Sauk County Farm.  And the last pasture walk of the season is October 15. LRE staff are coordinating youth days for the Baraboo, Reedsburg, and River Valley schools at Upham Woods.  And the Sauk County Conservation Film Festival is set for November 6 at the Baraboo Public Library.

Land Resources and Environment

  1. Discussion and Possible Action on a Resolution Authorizing Sauk County to Submit an Application to the Wisconsin Department of Administration for the Grants for Local Projects (Non-State Grant Program).  T. Kabat presented a Resolution Authorizing Sauk County to apply to the Wisconsin Department of Administration for the Grants for Local Projects (Non-State Grant Program) for the Sauk County Farm implementation.  Motion by McAuliffe / Eberl to adopt a Resolution Authorizing Sauk County to Submit an Application to the Wisconsin Department of Administration for the Grants for Local Projects (Non-State Grant Program) and move to the entire County Board.  Motion carried unanimously.
  2. Discussion and Possible Action on a Resolution Authorizing the County Administrator to Submit Multi-Discharger Variance Application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. T. Kabat presented a Resolution Authorizing the County Administrator to Submit Multi-Discharger Variance Application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Motion by Lohr / McAuliffe to adopt a Resolution Authorizing the County Administrator to Submit Multi-Discharger Variance Application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and move to the entire County Board. Motion carried unanimously.
  3. Discussion and Possible Action on a Resolution Authorizing Sauk County to Submit one Application to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the 2026-2030 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) award cycle. B. Simmert presented a Resolution Authorizing Sauk County to Submit one Application to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the 2026-2030 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) award cycle for a planning study for the North Freedom segment of the Great Sauk State Trail corridor. Motion by Spencer / McAuliffe to adopt a Resolution Authorizing Sauk County to Submit one Application to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the 2026-2030 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) award cycle and move to the entire County Board. Motion carried unanimously.
  4. Discussion and Possible Action on a Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Town of Merrimac Zoning Ordinance concerning vacation rental establishments.  B. Simmert presented a Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Town of Merrimac Zoning Ordinance concerning vacation rental establishments. Merrimac Town Administrator Stephanie Brensike was available to address any questions. Motion by McAuliffe / Lohr to adopt a Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Town of Merrimac Zoning Ordinance concerning vacation rental establishments and move to the entire County Board. Motion carried unanimously.

Supervisor Kinsman arrived at 9:12 am.

Extension Education

  1. Discussion and Possible Action to recommend Approval of the Resolution for the Memorandum of Understanding between UW-Madison Division of Extension and Sauk County. C. Edgar presented the Resolution for the Memorandum of Understanding between UW-Madison Division of Extension and Sauk County.  Motion by Lohr / Spencer to approve the Resolution for the Memorandum of Understanding between UW-Madison Division of Extension and Sauk County and move to the entire County Board. Motion carried unanimously.

Public Hearing:  To begin at approximately 9:15 a.m. or soon thereafter.  Committee to consider and take possible action at the conclusion of the respective hearing.

D. Polivka called the public hearing portion of the meeting to order at 9:15 am, the committee introduced themselves.

    1. A petition to consider an Ordinance to approve the amended Sauk County Farmland Preservation Plan pursuant to Wis. Stat. s. 91.10 and made part of the Sauk County Comprehensive Plan.

R. Meyer certified that the public hearing notice has been properly posted. R. Meyer read the public hearing notice.

B. Simmert presented the background and history of a petition to consider an Ordinance to approve the amended Sauk County Farmland Preservation Plan pursuant to Wis. Stat. s. 91.10 and made part of the Sauk County Comprehensive Plan.

No one spoke in favor, opposition or as an interested party of the proposed ordinance.

The public hearing was closed at 9:24 a.m. for committee deliberations.

Motion by Lohr / McAuliffe to adopt an Ordinance to approve the amended Sauk County Farmland Preservation Plan pursuant to Wis. Stat. s. 91.10 and made part of the Sauk County Comprehensive Plan and move to the entire County Board.  Motion carried unanimously.

Land Records

  1. Land Records Department Report. – J. Fleischman presented the Land Record Department Report
  2. Review and approval of vouchers. – J. Fleischman requested payment of the vouchers in the amount of $609.22.  Motion by Eberl / Spencer to approve vouchers for Land Records in the amount of $609.22.  Motion carried, unanimously.
  3. Review of the proposed Land Records/GIS 2026 Budget. J. Fleischman presented the 2026 budget for Land Records / GIS Department.

Register of Deeds

  1. Review and approval of vouchers. – B. Bailey was absent but requested payment of the vouchers in the amount of $6,707.50.  Motion by Spencer / Eberl to approve vouchers for the Register of Deeds in the amount of $6,707.50.  Motion carried, unanimously.
  2. Review of the proposed Register of Deeds 2026 Budget. Register of Deeds budget was not reviewed.        

Extension Education

  1. Interim Director’s Report. – C. Edgar presented the Extension Education Department Report.
  2. Sauk Extension Highlights.  - C. Edgar gave highlights of Sauk Extension.
  3. Educator Report:  Danielle Sander, Health & Well-Being Educator. D. Sander presented highlights of the Health & Well-Being program.
  4. Review of the proposed Extension Department 2026 budget. C. Edgar presented the 2026 Budget for UW Extension Education.
  5. Review and approval of vouchers – C. Edgar presented vouchers in the amount of $1,246.88 for Extension Education.  Motion by Lohr / Kinsman to approve vouchers for $1,246.88 for UW Extension. Motion carried, unanimously.

Land Resources and Environment continued

  1. LRE Department Report – T. Kabat presented the LRE Department September report.
  2. WI River Recreation Bridge Update.  T. Kabat gave an update on the WI River Recreation Bridge construction progress with a time lapse video.
  3. Review and approval of vouchers – T. Kabat presented vouchers in the amount of $66,108.96 for the Land Resources and Environment Department.   Motion by Eberl / McAuliffe to approve vouchers in the amount of $66,108.96 for the Department.  Motion carried, unanimously.
  4. Review of the proposed Land Resources and Environment Department 2026 Budget. T. Kabat presented the 2026 budget for the Land Resources and Environment Department.
  5. Review and discussion of Great Sauk State Trail gateway site concept plan. T. Kabat presented the gateway site concept plan for the Great Sauk State Trail. Motion by McAuliffe / Lohr to approve the Great Sauk State Trail gateway site concept plan.  Motion carried unanimously.
  6. Presentation and discussion on Sauk County wildlife projects. J. Schneidermann presented a slide show on Sauk County wildlife with emphasis on the variety of birds at the Sauk County Farm and Hemlock County Park.
  7. Discussion and updates on acquisition of property near Timme’s Mill/Delton Dam. T. Kabat gave updates on the acquisition of property near Timme’s Mill / Delton Dam.  T. Kabat asked the Committee if a Phase I environmental review should be conducted before proceeding with the purchase. T. Kabat noted there will not be any development on the property, only some brush clearing to facilitate a portage between the Delton Dam and Dell Creek. Consensus by Committee to conduct a Phase 1 environmental review before purchasing the property. T. Kabat asked the Committee if the property should be left as two (2) lots or combined into one (1) lot.  The Committee suggested detaching the property from the Village and combining into one parcel.
  8. Discussion and possible action on a conditional use permit for a Planned Rural Development (PRD) lot for Eugene Neuheisel pursuant to Chapter 7 Subchapter IX, of the Sauk County Code of Ordinances. The development lot will coincide with an easement to be placed on a 40-acre lot owned by Eugene Neuheisel. Lands affected are located in Section 32 and 33, T9N, R4E in the Town of Spring Green. M. Walters presented a conditional use permit for a Planned Rural Development (PRD) lot for Eugene Neuheisel pursuant to Chapter 7 Subchapter IX, of the Sauk County Code of Ordinances. The development lot will coincide with an easement to be placed on a 40-acre lot owned by Eugene Neuheisel. Lands affected are located in Section 32 and 33, T9N, R4E in the Town of Spring Green. Motion by McAuliffe / Spencer to approve a Planned Rural Development (PRD) lot for Eugene Neuheisel pursuant to Chapter 7 Subchapter IX, of the Sauk County Code of Ordinances. The development lot will coincide with an easement to be placed on a 40-acre lot owned by Eugene Neuheisel. Motion carried unanimously.
  9. Presentation and discussion on Chapter 7 Zoning Ordinance amendment. C. Fowler gave a presentation on Chapter 7 Zoning Ordinance amendment.  C. Fowler listed concerns that came from the community engagement meetings and offered recommendations.  The Committee reviewed the concerns and recommendations and timeline for next steps in the process.

Reports

  1. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) – None
  2. Farm Service Agency (FSA) – None.
  3. Foresters – None.
  4. Economic Development Committee – None.
  5. Lake Virginia Management District – None.
  6. Lake Redstone Protection District – None.
  7. Southern Area Association –None.

Next meeting dates – Tuesday, October 28, 2025 and Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 9:00am

Adjournment – Motion by Spencer / McAuliffe to adjourn at 11:22 a.m.  Motion carried, unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Valerie McAuliffe, Secretary