County committees advance broadband partnerships, 2027 fees and budgets take shape
Chippewa County's Executive Committee voted unanimously July 7 to forward two broadband expansion partnership agreements to the County Board, along with a resolution on the County Treasurer vacancy and a 2027 marriage license fee increase from $90 to $100.
Broadband and Treasurer vacancy move to County Board
The Executive Committee approved its June 16, 2026 minutes 4-0, then voted 4-0 on each of three items forwarded to the full County Board: a public-private partnership with Ntera, LLC for broadband expansion; a partnership with CTC Telcom, Inc., DBA Mosaic Technologies for broadband expansion; and a resolution regarding the County Treasurer vacancy recruitment. The committee also approved the 2027 marriage license fee increase from $90 to $100, voting 4-0.
The County Board's July 14 agenda listed those broadband partnerships as Res. 22-26 (Ntera, LLC) and Res. 23-26 (CTC Telcom, Inc., DBA Mosaic Technologies). That agenda also included Res. 12-26 and Res. 13-26, each authorizing up to $7,500,000 in General Obligation Promissory Notes for highway improvement projects, and Res. 17-26, authorizing funding of Highway Department Capital Improvement Projects as part of the 2027 budget. Minutes from the July 14 County Board meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes of those votes are not yet confirmed.
ADRC Board approves 2027 copays, reports Meals on Wheels grant
The Aging & Disability Resource Center Board met July 9 and approved its 2027 copays and contributions 7-0. The board also approved its May 14 minutes (7-0) and July 9 agenda (7-0) and scheduled its next meeting for September 17, 2026 (7-0). Staff reported a $30,810 grant from the Community Foundation to expand Meals on Wheels services. The 2027 ADRC budget was reviewed and will move to the Health & Human Services Board for further review.
Health & Human Services Board holds 2027 budget hearing
The Health & Human Services Board conducted a public hearing July 14 on the proposed 2027 Human Services budget. Director Bobbie Jaeger gave a high-level overview of the budget components. No members of the public provided input during the session. The board's July 16 agenda, with minutes not yet published, listed discussion of Human Services financial user fees, the 2027 Human Services budget, the 2027 Public Health budget, and a 2027 budget update.
Veterans Service Commission sets next meeting
The Veterans Service Commission met July 13, approving its agenda (4-0), May 18 minutes (4-0), and scheduling its next meeting for September 14, 2026 (4-0) before adjourning (4-0). Members discussed the Wisconsin Veteran's Home's occupancy and procedures for funding requests over $500. No substantive business items were decided. Future reports on veteran data and flag purchasing were scheduled for the next meeting.
County Board tours Aspirus Health hospital project
The County Board of Supervisors held an informational tour of the Aspirus Health new hospital project at 1326 Chippewa Crossing Blvd. on July 9, with a second tour notice posted for July 14. No formal action was taken or expected at either session.
Land Conservation and Facilities & Parks committees meet
The Land Conservation & Forest Management Committee met July 15 to discuss a resolution authorizing land acquisition for the County Forest using state grants and non-lapsing funds, a Deer Fly Chase Mountain Bike Race permit, timber sale contract extensions, the 2027 fee schedule, and 2027 budget requests. Minutes are not yet published.
The Facilities & Parks Committee met July 15 to review capital improvement project updates, a division performance dashboard, the Parks Master Plan, and the proposed 2026 Facilities & Parks budgets. Minutes are not yet published.
Coming up
- **July 20 — Legal & Law Enforcement Committee:** Review of proposed 2027 budgets for Probate, District Attorney, Child Support, Circuit Court, Coroner, and Sheriff Department.
- **July 21 — Executive Committee:** 2027 budget reviews for multiple divisions; a resolution to disallow a claim by Alex Nicholson; a Facilities & Parks capital improvement update on parking-lot replacement funding; and an update on engaging Baker Tilly for a Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative feasibility study.
- **July 22 — Highway Committee:** 2027 Highway Department budget; parallel parking signs on CTH S; an Enbridge CTH VV road use request; and a CTH T public hearing update.
- **July 23 — Planning & Zoning Committee:** Public hearings on two rezone requests in the Town of Wheaton (2026-0006 Katz Rezone and 2026-0007 Pine Meadows HTP LLC Rezone); review of Chippewa County Flood Insurance Rate Maps; and 2027 Planning & Zoning budget review.