Jamie Bearrows

Key discussions during the meeting included the Coroner's upcoming conference attendance and bill approval. The 911 Coordinator reported on dispatcher training, final billing for map printing, and ongoing efforts to secure quotes for new communication center consoles and storage cabinets, including plans to apply for a new grant in July. The Emergency Government representative had no report. The Public Safety report noted the arrival of a new transport van and jail staffing updates, including transitions and maternity leave coverage. It was also noted that parades in Eatman and Seneca were cancelled due to construction. A significant update was provided on the new jail construction, indicating that masonry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and fire suppression work is underway, with exterior stone work progressing through August and completion projected for April 2026 for both the jail and dispatch center.

Key discussions during the Personnel meeting included the adjustment of programming for Juvenile Court Community Service due to difficulty in recruitment for the Supervisor position, and the ongoing effort to hire two new Social Worker IV positions. An update was provided regarding a job offer for the PT Clerk III position for UW Extension. A note was made regarding the Clerk of Court's upcoming retirement, with the Judge planning to appoint someone to complete the remaining term. Further information regarding the Administration Building closure update was deferred to an afternoon meeting, noting that duct work requires wrapping. Regarding employee compensation during closure, the insurance company confirmed coverage for lost wages, leading to the creation of a new paycode to track hours. Clarification is needed from insurance regarding the reimbursement of mileage versus counting driving time as work hours for employees working from home who must travel to the building.

Key discussions included updates from University of Wisconsin Extension staff. The Regional Crops Educator reported on a successful Sunflower Nitrogen Rate Trial field day and upcoming weed management workshops. The Regional Livestock Educator detailed past workshops and future planning for calving and farm-succession workshops. The FoodWIse Educator noted the continuation of programming during recovery, including Story Walks, and efforts to transition resources to partners. The Community Development Educator discussed a Custom Grazing workshop, efforts related to SNAP/EBT utilization at Farmers Markets, and work on agritourism programming. The Area Extension Director presented the 2026 Budget, which included reductions in Supplies & Expenses and Travel Expenses, and this budget was subsequently approved.

Key discussions during the meeting involved maintenance projects at the fairgrounds, including completing a fair cabin, adding lighting around the corn pit area, and storage adjustments. The board approved updating signature cards for the Royal Bank to include new members and remove others. The board also approved extra funds for purchasing new coolers for the beer garden and discussed potentially upgrading the sidewalk to improve entry flow. An updated contract from Nicks Kids Entertainment is expected for approval. Storage contracts indicated the capacity is roughly at 50%. A fair update mentioned an upcoming annual convention in January. The payment of bills was approved.

The committee discussed several operational matters, including verifying the proper posting of the meeting notice. Updates were provided on recent hiring activities for the ADRC department, including several new part-time employees and current position openings across various roles. A significant agenda item involved the review and approval of an Ordinance amending sections of the Crawford County Ordinances pertaining to Paid Vacation Leave Computation and Floating Holiday Entitlement for employees, which was recommended to the full county board. Following a closed session for personnel matters, the committee approved an updated 911 Coordinator job description, which involved removing GIS and mapping duties and temporarily changing the position to an hourly role until late summer 2026, effective November 22nd, 2025.