Contact

Sauk County Land Resources and Environment

505 Broadway

Tim Kabat - Director

(608) 355-4830

Tim has more than 30 years of experience working at the local level, including county and municipal governments and non-profits, as well as an 8-year stint as a local elected official. Tim’s background is in urban & regional planning and prior to joining Sauk County, he served as the director of the La Crosse Area Development Corporation.

Tim is responsible for oversight of all programs, functions and activities of the Land Resources and Environment Department focusing on Land Conservation, Parks and Recreation, and Planning and Zoning. Tim provides leadership and direction to the department to ensure that operations meet the Department’s and County’s strategic priorities.

Becky Meyer – Office Specialist

rebecca.meyer@saukcountywi.gov

(608) 355-3245

Becky is responsible for directing visitors to the department and general reception. Prepares LRE committee agendas and minutes, processes accounts receivable/payable and develops cost share contracts for conservation projects. Prior to joining the LRE department in 2022, Becky worked at the Sauk County Highway Department in a similar capacity since 2019. As a lifetime resident of Sauk County, Becky has been the clerk for the Town of Reedsburg since 2009 where she provides local government administration and community service on many different levels.

Focus Areas: Reception, accounts receivable/payable, cost share contract development, tree sale coordination, LRE committee assistance

Melissa Schlupp - Deputy Director

melissa.schlupp@saukcountywi.gov

(608) 355-4838

Melissa is responsible for managing land conservation staff and overseeing the land conservation service area of the department. She also works closely with participants in the Farmland Preservation Program and assists farmers with nutrient management planning on their operations. Prior to joining Sauk County in 2013, Melissa worked with various state, federal, and nonprofit organizations assisting private landowners with establishing wildlife habitat and conservation practices on their land.

Focus Areas: Farmland Preservation Program, Chapter 26 Agricultural Performance Standards and Manure Management Ordinance, Nutrient Management, Conservation Cost Share Programs

Brian Sadler - Conservation Specialist

brian.sadler@saukcountywi.gov

(608) 355-4841

Brian is responsible for assisting farmers with implementing conservation practices on their land. He provides assistance with conservation planning and outreach and education activities. Prior to joining Sauk County in 2013, Brian worked in a similar capacity with the Racine County Land Conservation Department.

Focus areas: Farmland Preservation Program, Agricultural Enterprise Areas, Nutrient Management Planning, Soil Health Assessments

Serge Koenig - Conservation Analyst

serge.koenig@saukcountywi.gov

(608) 355-4837

Serge is responsible for assisting farmers plan for and install rotational grazing systems and other conservation practices. He also coordinates stream monitoring activities throughout the county. Prior to joining Sauk County in 1995, Serge worked at the windshed project in Central Wisconsin.

Focus areas: Rotational Grazing Systems, Water Quality Monitoring Activities, Cost Share Program Project Development

Mitch McCarthy - Watershed Program Coordinator

mitchell.mccarthy@saukcountywi.gov

(608) 355-4836

Mitch is responsible for coordinating and overseeing watershed projects. He works with landowners, municipalities, and partner groups to implement conservation practices in designated watersheds. Prior to joining Sauk County in 2020, Mitch worked in the Land and Water Conservation Departments with Door and Lincoln Counties in similar positions.

Focus areas: Conservation Practice Planning and Implementation, Lakeshore Practice Installation, Water Quality Trading, Cost Share Program Project Development, Manure Storage Facility Construction/Abandonment Overview, Producer Led Watershed group facilitation

Patrick Bula - Conservation Specialist

patrick.bula@saukcountywi.gov

(608) 355-4839

Patrick is responsible for assisting farmers and landowners to plan and successfully implement conservation practices that benefit soil health, water quality, and improve farm resilience. Prior to joining Sauk County in 2023, Patrick worked in various conservation roles with entities such as Peace Corps, Marathon County CPZ, and USDA-NRCS. Patrick joined the Sauk County Conservation team in 2024.

Focus areas: Rotational Grazing Systems, Cropland Conservation Systems, Soil Health Assessments, and Nutrient Management Planning.

Jacqui Peyer - Conservation Educator

jacqui.peyer@saukcountywi.gov

(608) 355-4842

Joining the Land Resources and Environment Department in 2024, Jacqui is responsible for implementing youth education and community programming, outreach, and engagement. Jacqui collaborates with a broad range of resources to make programs possible such as the Sauk County Clean Sweep, Agriculture Plastics Collection, Youth Conservation days, Wheat Week, the Conservation Chronicle, and more. Aside from working at Sauk County, Jacqui also manages her family’s event barn venue and vacation rental in Oxford and is active in multiple local community organizations. Previously Jacqui worked as the School District of Mauston’s Farm to School Program Coordinator and as a plant propagator for McKay Nursery.

Focus areas: Youth education programming, field days and pasture walks, Conservation Chronicle Newsletter, Clean Sweep, Ag Plastics, Sauk Soil and Water Improvement Group (SSWIG) Coordination

Jenn Schneiderman - Conservation Technician

jennifer.schneiderman@saukcountywi.gov

(608) 355-4847

Jenn is responsible for cost-share program enrollment and landowner technical assistance for the department. She works directly with landowners and interest groups to pinpoint resource concerns and improve wildlife habitat on private and public land. Prior to joining Sauk County in 2023, Jenn worked as a habitat conservation technician throughout southern Wisconsin.

Focus Areas: Conservation Cost Share Program Enrollment, Wildlife Habitat Management and Monitoring, Sauk County Farm, Lake Redstone Watershed funding and collaboration

Brian Simmert, AICP - Planning and Zoning Manager

brian.simmert@saukcountywi.gov

(608) 355-4834

Brian is responsible for overseeing the planning and zoning services of the department. Brian works with developers, surveyors, real estate professionals, and land owners providing professional guidance and assuring compliance with various Sauk County ordinances and state statutes. Brian also coordinates the county’s planning program. Prior to joining Sauk County in 2000, Brian worked with Columbia and Dane counties implementing planning and zoning programs.

Focus areas: Land Division Regulations, Zoning/Subdivision/Shore land Protection/Floodplain Ordinance Administration, Planning Program Oversight, Great Sauk State Trail Planning & Development.

Will Christensen – Land Use/Sanitary Specialist

will.christensen@saukcountywi.gov

(608) 355-4831

Will is responsible for providing technical information and assistance to the public and town officials concerning zoning, land division, shoreland, floodplain, POWTS, and nonmetallic mining as well as various permit processes. Will also reviews permits, enforces ordinances, and researches information to prepare reports on planning and zoning related items. Prior to joining Sauk County in 2018, Will had an intern and limited term position with Sauk County as well as several years of management experience.

Focus areas: Zoning Ordinance, Shoreland Protection Ordinance, Floodplain Ordinance, Rural Identification System Ordinance, Nonmetallic Mining Reclamation Ordinance, Private Onsite Waste Water Treatment Systems Ordinance.

Arianna Taylor – Land Use/Sanitary Technician

arianna.taylor@saukcountywi.gov

(608) 355-4833

Arianna is responsible for providing technical information and assistance to the public and town officials concerning zoning, land division, shoreland, floodplain, POWTS, and nonmetallic mining as well as various permit processes. Arianna also reviews permits, enforces ordinances, and researches information to prepare reports on planning and zoning related items. Prior to joining Sauk County in 2025, Arianna worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Micaela Walters - Land Use/Sanitary Technician

micaela.walters@saukcountywi.gov

(608) 355-4835

Micaela is responsible for providing technical information and assistance to the public and town officials concerning zoning, land division, shoreland, floodplain, POWTS, and nonmetalic mining as well as various permit processes. Micaela also reviews permits, enforces ordinances, and researches information to prepare reports on planning and zoning related items. Prior to joining Sauk County in 2025, Micaela held an intern position the USDA-NRCS office in 2023 and 2024 while studying Field Biology and Environmental Science at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls.

Cassandra Fowler – Senior Planner

cassandra.fowler@saukcountywi.gov

(608) 355-4832

Cassandra is responsible for various planning projects throughout the County, particularly focusing on outdoor recreation. Cassandra works with Towns, local nonprofits, and municipalities to advance outdoor recreation and planning throughout the County and guarantee compliance with Sauk County Ordinances and state statutes. Cassandra also assists in outdoor education programs. Prior to joining Sauk County in 2018, Cassandra worked with other local Wisconsin government for Farmland Preservation, and comprehensive planning.

Focus Areas: County Park Planning & Development, Ordinance Administration, Baraboo River Planning & Development, Great Sauk State Trail Planning & Development, Comprehensive Planning.

Jekka Alt - Parks and Recreation Manager

jekka.alt@saukcountywi.gov

(608)355-3804

Jekka is responsible for providing leadership, communicating, and managing day-to-day activities associated with the Parks and Recreation service area within the Land Resources and Environment Department. She is also responsible for the general oversight and implementation of policies related to the park master plans, Sauk County Chapter 10 County Parks, and providing general oversight of Sauk County’s dams. Jekka has been with Sauk County Parks and Recreation since 2013. She was originally a seasonal employee, then joined the team full-time in 2016.

Focus areas: Day-to-day activities and services, Great Sauk State Trail management, dam operation and management, recreation programs and park events, creating accessible recreation opportunities, park master planning

Samantha Mittlesteadt - Administrative Services Coordinator

samantha.mittlesteadt@saukcoutywi.gov

(608)355-4803

As the Administrative Services Coordinator, Samantha is responsible for assisting the Parks and Recreation Manager with the parks budget, completing grants, as well as identifying staff and resources needed for park operations. She also assists with processing accounts receivable and payable, entering payroll, and purchasing supplies. Samantha originally started as a seasonal employee from 2014 to 2016, then returned as a full-time employee in 2022 after working in public safety.

Focus areas: Reception and working with patrons, overseeing grant funding, establishing and maintaining the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for each Sauk County dam, and promoting Sauk County recreational opportunities and events

Craig Meyer, Jr.- Parks Maintenance Supervisor

craig.meyer@saukcountywi.gov

(608)355-4802

Craig has been with Sauk County Parks and Recreation since 2018 as the full-time Parks Maintenance Supervisor and was originally a seasonal employee from 2011 to 2013. He is responsible for assisting in the operation of the park facilities through indoor and outdoor maintenance, and for performing clerical tasks for the Parks and Recreation service area of the Land Resources and Environment Department. Craig has prior experience working for state and city governments.

Focus areas: Supervising and organizing daily maintenance operations of properties, overseeing park projects

John Starling - Parks Maintenance Technician I

john.starling@saukcountywi.gov

(608)355-4802

John has been working for Sauk County Parks and Recreation since 2019 and was previously a seasonal worker. As the Parks Maintenance Technician I, he is responsible for performing a variety of park maintenance duties and repairing vehicles, machines, and equipment for Sauk County. Before joining the County, John was a restoration contractor, and a roofer by trade for 40 years.

Focus areas: Maintaining, operating, and repairing vehicles, day-to-day park maintenance

Cory Rathman - Operator I (Hwy/LRE)

cory.rathman@saukcountywi.gov

(608)355-4802

Cory started working for Sauk County in 2025; his position is split between Parks and Recreation and the Sauk County Highway Department. As a Highway/LRE Operator, he is responsible for performing a variety of maintenance duties, including operating and repairing vehicles. When at the Parks, he similarly maintains the grounds and is responsible for completing a wide variety of projects. Cory previously worked in local government maintenance and was a stone mason.

Focus areas: Vehicle care and operation, maintaining roads, upkeeping park maintenance

Lexi Leonard - Office Specialist

lexi.leonard@saukcountywi.gov

(608)355-4801 / (608)355-4800

Lexi started working for Sauk County Parks and Recreation in 2025. She is responsible for providing general park assistance, as well as supporting recreation programs, events, activities, and facilities. Lexi also performs a wide variety of routine administrative and custodial tasks. Before this she worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for six years, most recently as a seasonal Park Ranger and Naturalist.

Focus areas: Reception, managing reservations, social media, event planning

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