Oconto County committees forward highway funding, approve contracts and fee changes
The Administration Committee voted to forward two highway funding resolutions to the full County Board, including one for Sales Tax and ARPA interest funding for the County Highway CC Improvement Project and another for County Sales Tax funding for highway road improvement projects. Both motions carried. The committee also forwarded an Employee Handbook resolution to the County Board.
HHS Board approves contracts and DHS lease
The Health and Human Services Board approved a 2026 contract for Ascend Psychiatry, S.C., an amended 2026 fee schedule, and a one-year DHS lease at $4,000 monthly rent. The board appointed Tracy Winkler to the ADRC Governing Board.
Land & Water Resources lowers e-waste fees, allocates rural schools funds
At its July 7 meeting, the committee voted to reduce the electronics recycling fee to $10 and the miscellaneous electronics fee to $5. It approved a road access permit for Dean and Kathleen Listle in the Town of Abrams. The committee entered a brief closed session to confer with legal counsel — Mohr, Scanlan, Kaczrowski, and Cole voted aye — then returned to open session. A Data Center Moratorium draft was scheduled for further discussion at the August meeting.
At its July 13 meeting, the committee adopted a Secure Rural Schools Act fund allocation of 85% to Title I, 5% to Title II, and 10% to Title III. The forestry department agreed to remove an 11-acre overstory removal unit from the proposed timber sale on Tract #09-126.
Property & Technology extends gas contract
The committee approved a one-year extension of the natural gas supply contract for the 2027/2028 heating season at a rate of $4.92 per Dekatherm. It also changed its regular meeting date to the second Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.
Public Safety waives policy for conference lodging
The committee approved a waiver of the Financial Management Policy to allow lodging for the Badger Sheriff Conference and approved payment of the past-due Cooks Direct invoice. No action was taken on a proposed change to the meeting start time.
MAR-OCO accepts financial report, schedules budget hearing
The committee accepted the 2025 Annual Financial Report and Management Letter and scheduled a public hearing for the 2027 landfill budget for August 7, 2026.
Town of Bagley approves recycling center fence
The Town of Bagley board approved purchase of a recycling-center fence for $4,929. The board also approved its financial report and authorized payment of outstanding bills. The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
Highway Committee agenda lists paving and bridge funding
The Highway Committee's July 9 agenda included a propane supply contract, a sales-tax allocation of $365,000 for additional paving on County Highway F, and use of $293,858 in ARPA interest funds and a $575,640.50 grant for the CTH-CC bridge project. Detour requests for County Trunk Highways A and Y were also listed. Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.
Town of Riverview agenda items pending
The Town of Riverview board's July 14 agenda listed an Operator License application for Connie Melter, picnic licenses for the CLFD Brat Fry and RVFD Corn Roast, a contract with the City of Gillett to add the Town of Beaver, and oaths of office for Pete Bushmaker (MAS Commission) and Curt Hoffman (STR Commission). Minutes have not yet been published.
Coming up
- **July 20** — NOCCO Towns meeting to review town ordinance progress and discuss an e-bike ordinance.
- **July 22** — Traffic Safety Commission receives informational reports on highway construction, crash data, and a new Wisconsin State Patrol facility in Wrightstown. No formal actions are scheduled.
- **July 23** — County Board considers zoning changes for several towns, county sales-tax funding for highway road improvement projects, an Employee Handbook revision, and an appointment to the Aging Advisory Council (Helmle).
- **July 29** — Board of Adjustments holds public hearings for Mark Turensky, Pat Houlihan, Brian and Cindy Buckles, and Matthew Chevalier and Tammy Roofers.