Sawyer County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Sawyer County committee approves Bass Lake parcel resolution; ATV/UTV route measures advance to board

Restrictions on Bass Lake parcels would be removed under a resolution the Sawyer County Land, Water & Forest Resources Committee approved unanimously on Oct. 7, according to official minutes. The minutes record the action as following approval by the Town Board and list the measure as Resolution #2026-____, with the number left blank in the document. The same committee approved its Sept. 9, 2026 minutes unanimously and discussed — without acting on — a proposal to require staff to notify property owners of GIS-based acreage changes.

ATV/UTV route ordinances

The Public Works Committee on Oct. 7 approved two resolutions amending the county ordinance governing ATV/UTV routes, both unanimously. Resolution #2026-35, on the addition of ATV/UTV routes, was sent for County Board consideration. Resolution #2026-36, on consolidation of ATV/UTV routes, was also approved. The minutes list discussion of Tribal opposition to route changes. Committee approval does not by itself change the ordinance; the County Board agenda for Oct. 15 listed both resolutions.

Board manual and courthouse lobby

Meeting Oct. 8, the Administration Committee approved unanimously an amendment to Rule 10 of the Board Policy & Procedures Manual, along with minutes from Sept. 10 and Sept. 28. Members also reached a general agreement — recorded as agreement, not as a vote — to reserve the south wall of the new courthouse lobby for county government recognition.

Finance Committee

Also Oct. 8, the Finance Committee approved minutes from its Sept. 10 meeting without a negative vote. The committee heard updates on the Synthec funding request, county finances, departments and the proposed 2027 budget. No budget action is recorded in the summary.

What the full board took up Oct. 15

The Board of Supervisors met Oct. 15 with an agenda that included RZN #26-015, a request by Brian & Dawn Harris to rezone 1.22 acres from Forestry-One (F-1) to Residential/Recreational-One (RR-1); Resolutions #2026-35 and #2026-36; the Bass Lake restrictions resolution; and the Rule 10 amendment. A separate Oct. 15 session was noticed as a closed session to interview the finalist for the County Administrator position. A third noticed a public hearing on the 2027 budget, proposed 2027 courthouse fees and payments, the 2027 capital summary, 2027 full-time equivalents and 2027 pay structure grids. Minutes for these meetings had not been published in the materials reviewed, so no outcomes are reported here.

Zoning Committee agenda

The Zoning Committee's Oct. 16 agenda listed public hearings and possible action on requests including RZN #26-018, 3.0 acres in the Town of Lenroot to Commercial One (C-1) for a 13,000 sq. ft. Servpro of Hayward facility; RZN #26-017, 10.67 acres in the Town of Hayward from Agricultural One (A-1) to RR-1; RZN #26-019, 5.4 acres in the Town of Lenroot to C-1 for commercial and outdoor boat storage; CUP #26-042 for a bait shop in the Town of Round Lake; and CUP #26-043 for a 32' x 30' accessory structure on vacant land in the Town of Round Lake. The meeting summary described five rezone requests; three were itemized in the materials provided.

The Economic Development & UW-Extension Committee met Oct. 5 on an agenda of reports only — library updates from Weiss, Winter and LCO, plus UW-Extension, Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau, Northwest Regional Planning Commission, Sawyer County Economic Development Corporation and trail group reports — with no ordinances, contracts, rezoning or fee changes posted.

Coming up

• **Oct. 19, 12:30 PM, Sawyer County Board Room with Zoom option — Veterans' Commission.** Agenda includes the Soldiers' and Sailors' Relief Fund, Veterans' Service Office updates on claims, training and outreach, WDVA CVSO and transportation grants, review of the 2025 annual report, and appointment of commission members. A separate notice states that Board of Supervisors members may attend the Veterans Commission Annual Meeting and that no official county business or action by the Board will be conducted.
• **Oct. 20 — Zoning Board of Appeals.** Public hearings and possible action on five variance requests, VAR #26-008 through VAR #26-012, including a 2,400 sq. ft. accessory structure in the Town of Bass Lake and a 10' high fence with a reduced water setback at Nelson Lake in the Town of Lenroot.
• **Oct. 21 — Local Emergency Planning Committee.** Recaps of Cops n Bobbers, National Night Out, Trout Fest, Fall Fest, Cheq 40 and Cranfest, training and outreach reports, and approval of minutes from the July 15, 2026 meeting.
• **Oct. 22 — Board of Supervisors.** Confirmation of County Administrator candidate Jeremy Marshall, a Synthec resolution for a BCPL loan, and an ethics and board rules presentation by Andy Phillips of Attolles Law.

Sawyer County Committee Approves Healthy Lakes Resolution; Budget Work Continues

The Sawyer County Land, Water & Forest Resources Committee approved a resolution supporting the Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program at its Aug. 12 meeting, voting 5-0-0. The committee also unanimously approved its July 8 minutes. No other substantive decisions were made, as the meeting was largely informational, covering department reports and preliminary 2027 budget requests.

Land, Water & Forest Resources Committee

The committee passed Resolution #2026 for the Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program with no opposition. The resolution supports the state program that funds lake and river improvement projects. The committee also approved its July 8 meeting minutes unanimously.

Public Works Committee

The Public Works Committee met Aug. 12 and took several actions. It approved the minutes from its July 8 meeting without a negative vote. The committee requested that Mr. Pinnow present facility plans for new construction and additions to existing buildings at its September meeting. It also noted a $118,000 award for a small structure replacement on CTH W by Connors Lake, funded at a 90/10 split. The committee discussed preliminary 2027 budget requests, including Sheriff squad units, a maintenance truck, and highway salt cost increases, but took no formal votes on those items.

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council met Aug. 12 and approved the minutes from its July 8 meeting. It tabled the Truancy & Diversion Report to the September meeting. The council received the jail report for July with arrest data by race and gender, heard updates on Justice Point including active client numbers and grant applications, and noted staff changes in Youth Justice and grant work for truancy and diversion. It also acknowledged upcoming community events, including a human trafficking and drug event and suicide prevention walks.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee met Aug. 13 and approved the July 9, 2026 minutes unanimously. It reviewed the Treasurer's report, noting that two unsold properties were sold and one was removed from the In Rem list. The committee received updates on 2027 budget preparation and department financials but took no substantive policy actions.

Other Meetings and Agendas

Several other committees met during the past two weeks, but their minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are available. The Economic Development & UW-Extension Committee met Aug. 10 to review preliminary 2027 budget requests from three libraries, UW-Extension, and the Economic Development Corporation. The Administration Committee met Aug. 13 to discuss filling the District 15 supervisor vacancy, a Medical Examiner appointment, and a concrete flatwork RFP for the Veterans Tribute. The Zoning Board of Appeals held public hearings Aug. 18 on a resort bar permit appeal and a lake setback variance. The Highway Traffic Safety Commission met Aug. 19 to review crash data. The Health & Human Services Board held a budget planning hearing Aug. 19. The Board of Supervisors met Aug. 20 with an agenda that included two rezoning requests, a data center moratorium ordinance, and a public comment policy change. The Zoning Committee met Aug. 21 to consider a gravel mine expansion, a rezone for farming, and a final plat for a 13-lot subdivision. Minutes for these meetings are not yet available.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next two weeks.

Sawyer County Board Sets Library Funding Formula, Acts on Three Rezoning Requests

The Sawyer County Board of Supervisors approved a new library funding formula and acted on three zoning map amendments during its July 16 meeting. The board's decision sets the annual county library allocation at the greater of 150% of the Wisconsin Act 150 circulation formula amount or 102.5% of the previous year's county allocation.

Board of Supervisors: Library Funding and Zoning Decisions

The library funding resolution was introduced by Ms. Hessel and seconded by Mr. Longtine. The motion carried without negative vote. This formula determines how the county allocates funds to local libraries based on state circulation figures and prior year amounts.

The board also voted on three zoning map amendments:

• Approved Zone District Map Amendment RZN #26-008, rezoning 6.37 acres from A-1 to RR-1. The motion carried without negative vote.
• Approved Zone District Map Amendment RZN #26-010, rezoning 6.12 acres from RR-1 to C-1. The motion carried without negative vote.
• Denied Zone District Map Amendment RZN #26-011, which sought to rezone 0.57 acres from R-1 to C-1. The motion carried without negative vote.

Zoning Committee: Data Center Moratorium and Mining Expansion

The Sawyer County Zoning Committee met on July 17 to consider several land-use items. The agenda included a proposed 18-month moratorium on permits for data centers. If adopted, this would temporarily pause new data center permit approvals in the county.

The committee also reviewed a request by Todd's Redi Mix Concrete LLC to rezone 80 acres to Forestry One for sand and gravel extraction. Additional agenda items included a request by O'Brien Hill Properties LLC to rezone 5 acres from A-1 to RR-1 in the Town of Hayward, a conditional use permit for a 1,200 sq. ft. accessory building in the Town of Bass Lake, and conditional use permits for HOA storage and a warming hut/pavilion by Preserve at MBF LLC. Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published.

Zoning Board of Appeals: Variance Applications

On July 21, the Zoning Board of Appeals held public hearings on three variance requests regarding structure setbacks. The applications include:

• VAR #26-002: After-the-fact placement of a 12.5' x 24' shed 69.5' from State Hwy 48 in the Town of Weirgor.
• VAR #26-003: Placement of a 13' x 21' shed 94' from State Hwy 27 and 45' from the Chippewa River in the Town of Ojibwa.
• VAR #26-004: Reduced water setback for a 180' sq. foot patio 24' from Little Round Lake in the Town of Hayward.

Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published.

Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

On July 15, the Sawyer County Emergency Management department held a public open house to discuss the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan. The meeting took place from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM in the County Board Room of the Sawyer County Courthouse, 10610 Main Street, Hayward. Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published.

Coming up

There are no upcoming meetings listed for Sawyer County in the next 14 days.

Sawyer County committees advance library funding resolution; County Board to weigh zoning amendments and data center moratorium

Sawyer County's Finance Committee advanced a resolution setting Weiss and Winter Library funding at the greater of 150% of the state circulation formula or 102.5% of last year's allocation, sending it to the full County Board for final consideration. The County Board is scheduled to take up the resolution at its July 16 meeting.

Library funding resolution moves forward

The Economic Development & UW-Extension Committee approved Resolution 2026- Weiss and Winter Library Support on July 6, recommending it to the Finance Committee and County Board. On July 9, the Finance Committee advanced the same resolution to the full County Board. Both actions carried without negative vote. The resolution is listed on the July 16 County Board agenda for final consideration.

Forestry and trails updates

The Land, Water & Forest Resources Committee approved its June 10 minutes on July 8. Forestry reports noted $4.96M in sold-uncut timber and an oak wilt restriction through July 15. The recreational trails report indicated grading is complete on the Tuscobia and Moose Lake trails.

Public Works reviews roadwork and building plans

The Public Works Committee approved its June 10 minutes on July 8. Discussions included upcoming roadwork on CTH F, DD, and STH 27, as well as projected salt costs of $1M. Plans are being developed to address replacement of the aging Highway building.

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

The CJCC approved its June 10 minutes on July 8. The Truancy & Diversion report was tabled until the August meeting.

Administration Committee sets evaluation process

The Administration Committee approved its June 11 minutes on July 9 and established an annual process for County Administrator evaluations via board member submissions. The meeting included reports on veteran services, IT projects, and upcoming economic development applications.

Hazard Mitigation Plan open house

Sawyer County Emergency Management held a public open house on July 15 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM in the County Board Room of the Sawyer County Courthouse, 10610 Main Street, Hayward. Attendees could receive information and give input on the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan. Minutes were not yet published.

County Board agenda: zoning amendments and library resolution

The Sawyer County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet July 16 to approve previous minutes and consider three zoning map amendments:

• RZN #26-008: 6.37 acres from A-1 to RR-1
• RZN #26-010: 6.12 acres from RR-1 to C-1
• RZN #26-011: 0.57 acres from R-1 to C-1

The agenda also includes the Weiss and Winter Library Support Resolution, committee reports, and a public comment period. Minutes were not yet published.

Zoning Committee to weigh data center moratorium and mining expansion

The Zoning Committee will hold public hearings July 17 on a proposed 18-month moratorium on permits for data centers. The committee will also review:

• A request by Todd's Redi Mix Concrete LLC to rezone 80 acres to Forestry One for sand and gravel extraction
• A request by O'Brien Hill Properties LLC to rezone 5 acres from A-1 to RR-1 in the Town of Hayward
• A conditional use permit for a 1,200 sq. ft. accessory building in the Town of Bass Lake
• Conditional use permits for HOA storage and a warming hut/pavilion by Preserve at MBF LLC

Coming up

• **July 21 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** Public hearings on three variance applications, including VAR #26-002 (a 12.5' x 24' shed 69.5' from State Hwy 48 in the Town of Weirgor), VAR #26-003 (a 13' x 21' shed 94' from State Hwy 27 and 45' from the Chippewa River in the Town of Ojibwa), and VAR #26-004 (a reduced water setback for a 180 sq. foot patio 24' from Little Round Lake in the Town of Hayward).