Lincoln County committees approve $25,000 land down payment, defer EMS budget as 34% cost increase looms
Lincoln County's Forestry, Land, and Parks Committee approved a $25,000 down payment toward a land acquisition this week, while the Public Safety Committee deferred the 2027 EMS budget proposal amid a projected 34% cost increase. Several other county bodies met or were scheduled to meet between July 8 and July 17, with two committees cancelling outright.
Forestry, Land, and Parks Committee — July 13
The committee approved a $25,000 down payment for a land acquisition, with additional stumpage revenue to be paid after the timber harvest, pending attorney review. The vote was all ayes.
Members also set a new tax-delinquent land sale date for August 10, with bids due August 7 (all ayes), and reduced the minimum bid on Property 6-26 to $20,000 (all ayes). Additional all-ayes votes approved a resolution to apply for a sustainable forestry grant, a resolution to enroll parcel #02634071319999 into County Forest Law, a request for Roland Machinery to host a Komatsu equipment demo, solicitation of bids for 75-acre pine release spraying in fall 2026, and closing of three timber sales with refunding of bonds.
Public Safety Committee — July 8
The committee approved $16,321.12 in EMS medical write-offs and placed annual reports from Emergency Management, the Coroner, the Judicial office, and the Sheriff's office on file. It also approved June 15 meeting minutes with a typo correction under the EMS section.
The committee deferred the 2027 EMS budget proposal to evaluate excluding four proposed employee positions from a projected 34% cost increase. Members requested a detailed breakdown separating baseline costs from new staffing needs before voting. The Tomahawk ambulance camera and GPS resolution was deferred to the next meeting. A closed session on Merrill Fire Department contract negotiations yielded no action.
Board of Health — July 15
The Board of Health elected Supervisor Laurie Thiel as secretary by voice vote. By voice vote, the board also approved the June 17, 2026 meeting minutes, the expense voucher for Department Head Shelley Cohrs, and Public Health Nurse Deanna Engel as the designee for human health hazard investigations.
Opioid Task Force — July 8
The task force approved May meeting minutes and reviewed a final draft of the strategic plan developed by ICPG and Social Services. Members expressed concerns about the size of the Treatment Court project, which will be discussed again next month. The Jail MAT Program update was deferred to the July meeting.
Meetings with agendas only (minutes not yet published)
- **Local Emergency Planning Committee (July 8):** Scheduled to approve previous minutes and review seven spill reports — WI SPILL #23008, #23308, #23516, #23625, #23667, #23750, and #23849. A public comment period was included.
- **Land Services Committee (July 9):** Scheduled to consider a resolution creating an ad hoc committee for emerging energy land uses and hold a public hearing on Kent and Mary Heaverlo's petition to create one lot not meeting the 30-foot public road frontage requirement.
- **Social Services Board (July 13):** Scheduled to review 2026 year-to-date financials and the 2025 Annual Report, consider a capital improvement request for an additional fleet vehicle, and act on a resolution to accept a donation of three Pack 'n Plays. A SNAP Error Rate presentation was also listed.
- **Finance & Insurance Committee (July 17):** May consider a motion to enter closed session under Wis. Stat §19.85(1)(c) to review employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data related to recruiting a finance director.
Cancelled meetings
The Finance & Insurance Committee meeting scheduled for July 10 was cancelled; its next regular meeting is set for August 7, 2026. The Death Review Team meeting scheduled for July 13 was also cancelled.
Coming up
- **July 21 — Veterans Service Commission:** Emergency meeting at 4:30 PM to review and sign a voucher schedule, with a possible closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(f) to consider veteran assistance applications.
- **July 21 — Public Property Committee:** Will review a maintenance department reorganizational chart and a resolution on the Highway building project, plus vouchers and year-to-date budget report.
- **July 21 — County Board:** Will consider a zoning ordinance amendment for a Town of Wilson property (Karrie and Jennifer Strahota), resolutions on recording policy in confidential-service buildings, Maintenance Department reorganization, and acceptance of three Pack 'n Plays, plus discussion of 2026–2028 Strategic Goals.
- **July 23 — Solid Waste Committee:** Will review manager's mileage, waste tonnage, leachate, and financial reports.
- **July 23 — Broadband Commission:** Meeting cancelled.