Alecia M. Kast

The committee reviewed the Treasurer's report, financial statements, and received updates from the Finance Director regarding audits, RFP processes, and remaining capital outlay balances. Several staffing and departmental requests were approved, including a new position for the DHS, additional work hours for the DHS CSP/ASP manager, a new credit card for the Clerk of Courts, an owl camera system for the Health Department, and a non-lapsing account for the Veterans Department. Additionally, approvals were granted for equipment purchases for the Sheriff's Department and Highway Department, including a utility trailer and a new mower, as well as repairs to the Elroy Barn Facility. Discussion topics included a federal grant application for road repairs, potential updates to purchasing ordinance thresholds, and initial discussions regarding 2027 capital outlay requests.

The committee held a meeting where they elected a vice chair and discussed several operational topics. Key business included the approval of purchasing Copilot licenses for the Veterans office to assist with VA claim preparation, receiving an update on the SharePoint policy, and initiating research regarding a policy for website front-page content management. Furthermore, the committee engaged in discussions concerning potential new finance software requirements, communication methods for County board supervisors including email archiving, and reviewed a security awareness training update.

The committee held a meeting to discuss organizational and operational matters. Key topics included the official renaming of the committee to the Conservation, Land Use, & Education Committee, and an update from the UW Extension on local agricultural studies and Cloverbud activities. The committee recognized a long-term employee upon their upcoming retirement. Land, forestry, and park business involved approving food vendor permits for Castle Rock Park, discussing conservation group assignments and partnerships, reviewing survey results for the Outdoor Recreation Plan, addressing tax-delinquent properties and land transfers, and receiving updates on forestry planting and park infrastructure projects.

The committee reviewed several requests to be forwarded to the Business Operations Committee, including funding for a Maintenance Tech/Custodian position for the upcoming budget, reinstatement of funding for a previously defunded position, and budget allocation for fire protection code compliance at the Justice Center and Service Building. Additionally, the committee approved the installation of a security camera in the Courthouse boiler room.

The committee discussed and approved a recommendation to split the Capital budget into three distinct parts: Roads, Equipment, and Buildings. Additionally, the committee conducted interviews for Highway Maintenance Worker positions during a closed session and subsequently approved the hiring of the top four candidates.