Resolution to Approve the Public Engagement Plan for the Sauk County Comprehensive Plan

Pursuant to Section 66.1001 of the Wisconsin Statutes, all units of government that enact or amend zoning, subdivision, or official mapping ordinances on or after January 1, 2010, must adopt a Comprehensive Plan.  Sauk County adopted a Comprehensive Plan under the authority of and procedures established by Section 66.1001 of the Wisconsin Statutes on December 15, 2009.  Wisconsin Statute requires that the County update its Comprehensive Plan every ten (10) years.  Based upon Departmental review of the progress made toward implementation of the current plan, there is a need to update the plan to accommodate changing circumstances in the County as well as new approaches, policies, and objectives. 

The existing plan adopted written procedures to foster public participation in every stage of the plan’s preparation.  The plan also contains all the plan elements as specified in 66.1001(2) of Wisconsin Statutes.  While Sauk County works through the planning process to update the comprehensive plan in accordance with statutory provisions, the County is obligated to recognize the continuation of the existing plan; until such time as, an update to the plan is adopted by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors.  

In March 2025, the Sauk County Board of Supervisors, by majority approved Resolution No. 16-2025 to amend the Land Resources and Environment 2025 budget and award a contract to The Lakota Group to update the Sauk County Comprehensive Plan. Pursuant to Section 66.1001(4)(a) of the Wisconsin Statutes written procedures for public engagement shall be adopted by the governing body that include open discussions, communication strategies, information distribution and public meetings for every stage of the planning process.

A public engagement strategy has been developed with the assistance of The Lakota Group to gather input from citizens, municipalities, government agencies and stakeholder groups throughout Sauk County (Appendix A). The public engagement plan provides opportunities for in person, virtual, and written comments throughout each step of the planning process.