Lincoln County, WI

Zoning Board of Adjustment

The Lincoln County Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing regarding a variance request for an accessory structure. The board will also conduct elections for Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary.

• Public hearing for Suzanne Basting and Jamie Mancini regarding a variance for a storage shed's side yard and shoreland setbacks

Solid Waste Committee

Broadband Commission

Administrative & Legislative Committee

Highway Committee

Highway Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Live Well Lincoln Leadership Team Meeting

Social Services Board

Forestry, Land, and Parks Committee

General

The Lincoln County Board of Canvass will meet to canvass and certify the results of the November 3, 2026 General Election. The agenda includes public comment and a canvass of election results, with the next meeting date to be determined. This is a procedural meeting focused on election certification.

• Canvass of November 3, 2026 General Election results
• Public comment limited to current agenda items (3 minutes per speaker)
• Meeting at Lincoln County Service Center, Room 247/248, 801 N Sales Street, Merrill, WI

County Board

Public Safety Committee

Opioid Task Force

Opioid Task Force

Public Safety Committee

Land Services Committee

Public Property Committee

Board of Health

Board of Health

Veterans Service Commission

Solid Waste Committee

Broadband Commission

Administrative & Legislative Committee

Highway Committee

Highway Committee

Broadband Commission

Finance & Insurance Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Local Emergency Planning Committee

Public Safety Committee

Opioid Task Force

Public Safety Committee

Opioid Task Force

Land Services Committee

Forestry, Land, and Parks Committee

Social Services Board

Social Services Board

Public Property Committee

County Board

County Board

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Youth Justice Collaborative Committee

Veterans Service Commission

Solid Waste Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Administrative & Legislative Committee

Highway Committee

Highway Committee

Forestry, Land, and Parks Committee

Death Review Team

Death Review Team

Death Review Team

Social Services Board

Social Services Board

Public Safety Committee

Opioid Task Force

Public Safety Committee

Opioid Task Force

Land Services Committee

County Board

Public Property Committee

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Veterans Service Commission

Broadband Commission

Solid Waste Committee

Administrative & Legislative Committee

Highway Committee

Highway Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Social Services Board

Forestry, Land, and Parks Committee

Social Services Board

Opioid Task Force

Opioid Task Force

Public Safety Committee

Public Safety Committee

Land Services Committee

Public Property Committee

County Board

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Veterans Service Commission

Broadband Commission

Solid Waste Committee

Administrative & Legislative Committee

Highway Committee

Highway Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Social Services Board

Forestry, Land, and Parks Committee

Social Services Board

Opioid Task Force

Opioid Task Force

Public Safety Committee

Public Safety Committee

Land Services Committee

Public Property Committee

County Board

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Veterans Service Commission

Solid Waste Committee

Broadband Commission

Highway Committee

Highway Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Administrative & Legislative Committee

Land Services Committee

Social Services Board

Social Services Board

Death Review Team

Forestry, Land, and Parks Committee

Death Review Team

Death Review Team

Public Safety Committee

Public Safety Committee

Opioid Task Force

Veterans Service Commission

Public Property Committee

County Board

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Board of Health

Broadband Commission

Solid Waste Committee

Administrative & Legislative Committee

Highway Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

Forestry, Land, and Parks Committee

Social Services Board

Social Services Board

Public Safety Committee

Public Safety Committee

Opioid Task Force

County Board

Public Property Committee

Board of Health

Finance & Insurance Committee

Opioid Task Force

Public Safety Committee

Public Safety Committee

Social Services Board

County Board

Board of Health

Veterans Service Commission

Finance & Insurance Committee

Death Review Team

Death Review Team

Death Review Team

Death Review Team

Public Safety Committee

Veterans Service Commission

County Board

Board of Health

Finance & Insurance Committee

Social Services Board

Public Safety Committee

County Board

Board of Health

Finance & Insurance Committee

Public Safety Committee

Board of Health

County Board

Finance & Insurance Committee

Death Review Team

Death Review Team

Death Review Team

Death Review Team

Social Services Board

County Board

Board of Health

County Board

Board of Health

County Board

Death Review Team

Death Review Team

Death Review Team

County Board

County Board

County Board

Death Review Team

Death Review Team

County Board

Public Property Committee

The Public Property Committee will review budget reports and proposals for highway architectural services and clock face painting. The body is deciding whether to authorize the maintenance department to handle the general construction of the Service Center remodel project.

• Resolution to self-perform general construction for the Service Center remodel project
• Request for 2027 CIP funds for Clock Face painting
• Updated highway proposal for Architectural Planning Services by Barrientos Design and Consulting
• Maintenance Directors Performance Review (closed session)

Board of Health

Board of Health

The Board of Health will review the Director's written and financial reports and receive a public health preparedness update. The board is considering resolutions to accept donations for the Seal-A-Smile program and the Merrill Community Baby Shower.

• Resolution to accept Aspirus donation for Seal-A-Smile Program
• Resolution to accept donations for Merrill Community Baby Shower
• Public Health Preparedness presentation by Kristin Bath
• Health Officer/Director performance review in closed session

County Board

The Board of Supervisors will review the 2026 year-to-date budget and discuss the 2027 preliminary budget and Capital Improvement Plan. The meeting includes votes on several grant applications, donations, and an ambulance service agreement with the City of Merrill.

• Appropriation of $20,000 to Social Services for Family Treatment Room and Board expenses using Opioid Settlement Funds
• Rezoning petitions for properties in the Towns of Scott, Schley, and Merrill
• Authorization for Maintenance Department to self-perform certain Service Center construction without bids
• Approval of the 2027 Lincoln County Forest Annual Work Plan
• Ambulance Service Agreement with the City of Merrill

Lincoln County Land Services Group

The Lincoln County Land Services Group will meet to review a 2025 grant report and discuss budget applications for 2026. The group will also review minutes from the October 28, 2025 meeting.

• WLIP 2025 Grant Report
• 2026 Education, Strategic Grant, and Base Budget Application

The committee approved the 2026 Education, Strategic Grant, and Base Budget Application. This application covers activities including LiDAR, the PLSS program, and Orthophotography.

• Approved 10/28/2025 meeting minutes (voice vote; Oestreich abstained)
• Approved 2026 Education, Strategic Grant, and Base Budget Application (voice vote)

Youth Justice Collaborative Committee

The committee is meeting to continue discussions on goals, including a presentation on Advent E-Learning. Members will also receive partner updates and discuss steps to move forward with specific goals.

• Presentation by Ethan Vanlandingham regarding Advent E-Learning
• Discussion on steps to move forward with a goal
• Information on ART County Specific and ART for Schools courses
• Information on a truancy curriculum from Dynamic Family Solutions

The committee approved the minutes from August 21, 2026. Members discussed a presentation on Advent E-Learning and various educational resources for schools, but no further formal actions were taken.

• Approved August 21, 2026 minutes (voice vote)

Youth Justice Collaborative Committee

Veterans Service Commission

Opioid Task Force

Opioid Task Force

The Lincoln County Opioid Task Force will review a written update on the opioid settlement. The body will also consider funding requests for treatment placement, the jail MAT program, and coroner supplies.

• Resolution approving opioid funds to Social Services for family treatment
• Funding request for Jail MAT program
• Proposal request for coroner supplies
• Review of October 2026 Opioid Settlement written update

Public Safety Committee

The committee will review year-to-date budget reports for the Coroner, Judicial, Sheriff's Office, and Emergency Management. Members will discuss the 2027 EMS budget proposal and the 2027 Family Court Commissioner contract. The meeting includes a closed session for annual performance evaluations.

• 2027 EMS Budget Proposal
• Family Court Commissioner 2027 contract approval
• Resolution accepting FY25 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant Funding
• Acceptance of FY25 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Grant Funding
• EMS Billing Software Contract Review

The Lincoln County Public Safety Committee approved the 2027 ambulance service agreement with the City of Merrill for a fixed sum of $1.6 million, along with the 2027 EMS budget proposal and a switch to Zoll EMS billing software. The committee also approved EMS write-offs, emergency management travel expenses, and two grant resolutions. Additionally, the committee discussed departmental reports from the coroner, judicial services, sheriff's office, and emergency management.

• Approved Family Court Commissioner 2027 contract (voice vote)
• Approved EMS write-offs of $13,587.93 (voice vote)
• Approved Ambulance Service Agreement with City of Merrill for $1.6M and advanced to County Board (voice vote)
• Approved 2027 EMS Budget Proposal featuring a fixed sum of $1.6 million (voice vote)
• Approved implementation of Zoll EMS billing software (voice vote)
• Approved Emergency Management Travel & Expense Report (voice vote)
• Approved Resolution accepting FY25 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant funding of $3,665 (voice vote)
• Approved Resolution accepting FY2025 Public Safety Answering Point Grant Reimbursement of $324,725.43 (voice vote)

Social Services Board

The board will review and approve the FY2027 contract for UW Extension and the 2027 Social Services mission statement. Members will also consider resolutions to accept donations of dental supplies and children's clothing.

• FY2027 UW Extension Contract review and approval
• Review and approval of 2027 Social Services Mission Statement
• Resolution to accept dental supplies donation from Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation Team
• Resolution to accept children's clothing donation from MAC Home
• Closed session for performance reviews of UW Extension and Social Services Directors

The Board approved the Social Services 2027 Mission Statement and passed resolutions to accept donations of dental supplies and children's clothing. The Board held a closed session regarding department head reviews and tabled the FY2027 UW Extension contract for next month.

• Approved September 14, 2026 minutes (voice vote)
• Approved Social Services 2027 Mission Statement (voice vote)
• Approved Resolution 2026-10-XX to accept dental supplies from Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation Team (voice vote)
• Approved Resolution 2026-10-XX to accept children's clothing from MAC Home (voice vote)
• Entered closed session for department head reviews (5-0)
• Reconvened into open session (4-0)

Death Review Team

The Death Review Team will meet to review two cases involving the unexpected deaths of children in a closed session. The body will also discuss death trends in Lincoln County and updates on prevention practices.

• Review of two child death cases in closed session
• Boater Safety and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention social media campaign update
• Review of Lincoln County death trends presented by Coroner Valerie Caylor
• Approval of April 13, 2026 meeting minutes

Social Services Board

Forestry, Land, and Parks Committee

The Forestry, Land, and Parks Committee will award bids for tax delinquent land and consider relisting unsold properties. The body will also review the 2027 Annual Work Plan and discuss timber sale contract extensions.

• Awarding of tax delinquent land sale bids
• Relisting of unsold tax-delinquent properties and setting of new minimum bids
• Review and approval of the 2027 Annual Work Plan
• Henke Firewood campground firewood sales proposal
• RFP for 2028 mechanical and chemical planting site preparation for 83 acres

The Lincoln County Forestry, Land, and Parks Committee approved a one-year blanket extension for expiring timber contracts with no stumpage rate increase and authorized an RFP for 2028 planting site preparation. The committee also rejected a sub-minimum bid for a tax-delinquent property on Pope Road and voted to relist it with a 20% lower minimum bid. Additionally, the committee closed three completed timber sales and held a closed session for the administrator's performance evaluation with no action taken.

• Approved minutes of September 14, 2026
• Rejected bid for Property 3 on Pope Road for failing to meet the minimum bid
• Relisted unsold tax-delinquent properties with a 20% minimum bid reduction, due November 6
• Approved a one-year blanket extension for expiring timber contracts with no stumpage increase
• Approved soliciting an RFP for 2028 mechanical and chemical planting site preparation (83 acres)
• Closed timber sales T018-25, T006-24, and T021-23 and returned bonds
• Convened into closed session for the County Forest Administrator evaluation with no action taken

Local Emergency Planning Committee

The regular meeting scheduled for October 9, 2026, has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for December 9, 2026.

Land Services Committee

The Lincoln County Land Services Committee meets Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM at the Lincoln County Service Center, Room 257, 801 N Sales Street, Merrill, WI. The committee will review September 10, 2026 meeting minutes, receive department reports, and convene in closed session under §19.85(1)(c) to review the annual job performance evaluation of the Land Services Administrator - Zoning Program Manager. At 4:00 PM the committee holds public hearings on five rezoning and comprehensive plan map requests. The agenda also lists agency updates, future agenda items, and confirmation of the next meeting date.

• Public hearing on a request by Joseph Schoone (Petitioner) and Russell Gennrich (Property Owner) to rezone tax parcel pin# 02232081549993 from Agriculture (A) to Rural Lands-4 (RL-4)
• Public hearing on a request by TWR Income Trust (Trustees: Timmy and Wylita Rathbun) to rezone tax parcel pin# 02232072519996 from Agriculture (A) to Rural Lands-4 (RL-4)
• Public hearing on a request by JoEllen, Lonnie, and Brenda James to rezone a portion of tax parcel pin# 01432073019993 from General Business (GB) to Rural Lands (RL-4), plus a related request to amend the Lincoln County Comprehensive Plan Map from Non-Residential (General Business Public) to Rural/Environmental (Rural Lands) for the same parcel
• Public hearing on a request by Erica and Rick Heinemann to rezone tax parcel pin# 00434063549996 from Forestry (F) to Rural Lands (RL-2)
• Closed session under §19.85(1)(c) for the annual job performance evaluation of the Land Services Administrator - Zoning Program Manager, with possible action in open session afterward

The committee approved three requests to rezone parcels and one comprehensive plan amendment. A 30-day extension was granted for a separate rezone request involving the Town of Bradley.

• Approved rezone of parcel #02232081549993 from Agriculture to Rural Lands-4 (voice vote)
• Approved rezone of parcel #02232072519996 from Agriculture to Rural Lands-4 (voice vote)
• Approved rezone of portion of parcel #01432073019993 from General Business to Rural Lands (voice vote)
• Approved comprehensive plan amendment for portion of parcel #01432073019993 to Rural/Environmental (voice vote)
• Granted 30-day extension for rezone request of parcel #00434063549996 (voice vote)

Administrative & Legislative Committee

The Lincoln County Administrative & Legislative Committee meets Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 4:30 PM at the Lincoln County Service Center in Merrill. The committee will review an employee benefits survey with possible action, review a scope statement on emerging land uses, and consider a resolution recognizing Operation Green Light. It may also go into closed session to discuss performance evaluations for four department heads and litigation strategy in the Kraegenbrink Litigation.

• Review of Employee Benefits Survey with discussion and possible action
• Review Scope Statement regarding Emerging Land Uses
• Service Center closure for training changed to 12.10.26 from 8am until 12:30pm
• Resolution Recognizing Operation Green Light in Lincoln County
• Closed session on department head reviews (County Veteran Services Officer, Information Technology Director, Corporation Counsel, Administrative Coordinator) and Kraegenbrink Litigation

The Administrative & Legislative Committee approved a Service Center closure for training on December 10, 2026, and passed a resolution recognizing Operation Green Light. The committee also reviewed department financials and held a closed session regarding personnel evaluations and litigation, though no action was taken following the closed session.

• Approved September 2, 2026, meeting minutes (voice vote)
• Approved expense reimbursements (voice vote)
• Approved Service Center closure for training on 12.10.26 (voice vote)
• Approved resolution recognizing Operation Green Light (voice vote)

Health Insurance Trustees Committee

The Lincoln County Health Insurance Trustee Committee meets Friday, October 2, 2026 at 8:30 AM at the Lincoln County Service Center, 801 N Sales Street, Merrill, WI. The committee will hear a 2026 insurance overview presented by Corey Palmer, a senior client executive partner with M3, and will discuss and vote on approving the 2027 health plan. It will also consider approving minutes from the 10.03.25 and 06.05.26 meetings. The agenda does not state any dollar amounts or plan details.

• Discussion and approval of the 2027 health plan
• 2026 insurance overview presentation and discussion by M3 senior client executive partner Corey Palmer
• Approval of minutes from meetings on 10.03.25 and 06.05.26
• Public comment limited to current agenda items, 3 minutes per speaker

The committee approved the 2027 health plan, maintaining current costs with no recommended plan changes. The approved plan establishes an employee premium share of 4.25% for the High Deductible Plan (HDHP).

• Approved minutes from 10.03.25 and 06.05.26 (voice vote)
• Approved 2027 health plan establishing 4.25% employee premium share for HDHP (voice vote)

Finance & Insurance Committee

Finance & Insurance Committee

The Lincoln County Finance & Insurance Committee meets Friday, October 2, 2026, at 9:00 AM at the Lincoln County Service Center in Merrill. The committee will review year-to-date budget and expense reports from the Treasurer, County Clerk, and Director, and discuss the 2027 budget and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) with possible action. It will also discuss the status of EMS negotiations as it relates to 2027 budgeting, and is scheduled to go into closed session for the Finance Director's performance review, then reconvene to take any necessary action.

• 2027 Budget and CIP discussion and possible action
• Discussion of EMS negotiations status specific to 2027 budgeting
• Closed session under Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) for Finance Director performance review
• Approval of attendance for Chems Annual Training Conference
• WGFOA Winter Conference December 3–4

The committee approved the updated 2027 Levy Budget and the financial terms of a contract with Merrill EMS. Expense reports for the Treasurer and County Clerk were also approved. The committee reviewed the Five-Year CIP Plan and adjusted estimated 2027 transfers to $290,000.

• Approved updated 2027 Levy Budget (voice vote)
• Approved finance portion of Merrill EMS contract providing $1.6M for 2027 (voice vote)
• Approved Treasurer expense report (voice vote)
• Approved County Clerk expense report (voice vote)
• Approved minutes from 09.04.2026 with corrections (voice vote)

Public Safety Committee

The Lincoln County Public Safety Committee meets in special session on October 1, 2026, at the Lincoln County Service Center in Merrill. The main item is a possible closed session under Wis.Stats. §19.85(1)(e) to discuss the status of EMS contract negotiations with the City of Merrill Fire Department and give guidance to the negotiating team. The committee may then reconvene in open session and report any action taken. The rest of the agenda is procedural: call to order, Pledge of Allegiance, and adjournment.

• Closed session possible under Wis.Stats. §19.85(1)(e) on EMS Contract Negotiations with City of Merrill Fire Department
• Closed session would include the Administrative Coordinator, Finance Director, and any other Board of Supervisors wishing to remain
• Purpose stated as status of negotiations and guidance for the negotiating team
• Committee members: Greg Hartwig (Chair), Laurie Thiel, Dana Miller, Angela Cummings, Marguerite Lyskawa
• Public comment limited to current agenda items, 3 minutes per speaker

The committee approved the financial terms of an ambulance service agreement with the City of Merrill to be forwarded to the Finance Committee. The final contract version will be reviewed at the regular October meeting.

• Approved $1.6M flat sum payment for 2027 ambulance services with 2% annual increases starting Jan 1, 2028

Highway Committee

The Lincoln County Highway Committee meets Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 4:30 PM at the Government Services Center, 801 N Sales St., Merrill, Room 247/248. The agenda includes routine business such as approving September minutes, setting future meetings, reviewing general services claims and vouchers 9.1-9.22, and updates on the Highway M Bridge and a 160-acre Swamp Road land parcel. The committee will also discuss highway facilities and convene into closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(c) for the Highway Commissioner's performance review. The meeting is open to the public, with electronic attendance available by phone or video.

• Closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(c) for Highway Commissioner Performance Review
• Update on Highway M Bridge
• Update on Swamp Road land parcel — 160 acres
• Discussion on highway facilities
• Vouchers 9.1 - 9.22 and general services claims

The committee approved the September minutes and accepted financial reports and vouchers 9.1 through 9.22. Members received updates on the Highway M Bridge repairs and the opening of CTH YY and CTH O.

• Approved September minutes (voice vote)
• Accepted financial reports and vouchers 9.1 - 9.22 (voice vote)

General

This is a training session, not a decision-making meeting. Municipal clerks, town designees, and county board supervisors will participate in a mock election covering polling place setup, registration, poll books, voting, closing the polls, and end-of-night paperwork. No formal actions will be taken and no other county business will be discussed.

• Mock election training for election officials
• Review of polling place setup and procedures
• Training on voter registration and poll books
• Instructions on closing polls and end-of-night paperwork
• Election night plan review

Zoning Board of Adjustment

Broadband Commission

The Lincoln County Broadband Commission is meeting to review and potentially approve its mission statement and goals, discuss priorities and strategies, and receive updates on broadband projects including the BEAD program and Charter's RDOF implementation. The agenda also includes a possible UW-Extension broadband workshop hosting opportunity and routine items like approving prior minutes.

• Review and consider approval of proposed LCBC Mission Statement and Goals Updates
• BEAD Program Updates from Public Service Commission
• Charter RDOF Project Implementation update
• Frontier/Verizon Copper Lines Transition update
• Discussion of potential LCBC priorities, action items, and key strategies

The Commission approved updated mission and goals shifting its role from coordinating to supporting. Members also authorized an application to host a digital entrepreneurship workshop in 2027.

• Approved August 27, 2026, meeting minutes
• Approved updated LCBC Mission Statement and Goals
• Authorized application to host 'Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age' workshop (consensus)

Veterans Service Commission

The Lincoln County Veterans Service Commission is holding its regular monthly meeting to approve prior minutes, review and sign the voucher schedule, and consider the 2026 year-to-date Veterans Relief Financial Report. Members will also receive Veterans Service Reports for July, August, and September 2026, and set the next meeting date. The agenda is routine administrative business with no major policy decisions or public hearings listed.

• Approve minutes of 07/21/2026 meeting
• Review and sign voucher schedule
• Review and approve 2026 Year-to-Date Veterans Relief Financial Report
• Receive Veterans Service Reports for July, August, and September 2026
• Set next meeting date

Solid Waste Committee

The Lincoln County Solid Waste Committee will review waste tonnage, leachate reports, and financial updates. The committee is also considering leachate management options following 2025 Wisconsin Acts 200 and 201.

• Review of leachate management and disposal options
• Discount application for Echo Valley
• Waste tonnage and leachate reports
• Financial reports and OFR financial test for municipalities

The committee approved a discount application for Echo Valley and decided to proceed with the OFR Alternative Method for municipal financial testing. The board also approved the manager's mileage and the previous meeting's minutes.

• Approved August 27th meeting minutes (All Ayes)
• Approved Manager's mileage (All Ayes)
• Approved Echo Valley discount application (All Ayes)
• Approved moving forward with OFR Alternative Method for Municipalities financial test (All Ayes)

Board of Health

The scheduled meeting for the Lincoln County Board of Health on September 16, 2026, has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

Public Property Committee

The Lincoln County Public Property Committee will review bids for two projects: installing air conditioning in jail units 1 and 3, and remodeling the Service Center. They will also review vouchers, budget reports, and a highway project update. No public comment is scheduled, and no auction items are listed.

• Review bids for jail AC 1&3 install and select contractor
• Review bids for Service Center remodel project and select contractor
• Review of vouchers
• Year to date budget report
• Highway project update and possible action items

The committee selected August Winters and Sons to install AC units at the jail. Members also voted to reject a single bid for the Service Center remodel due to high costs, opting instead to self-perform much of the work.

• Selected August Winters and Sons for jail AC 1&3 installation (all ayes)
• Rejected Service Center remodel bid (all ayes)
• Approved August 18th meeting minutes as corrected (all ayes)