Dodge County

This revised Land and Water Resource Management Plan for Dodge County serves as a comprehensive guide for protecting and enhancing the region's natural resources. Developed through a locally-led process, the plan outlines five key components: assessing natural resource conditions, identifying and prioritizing critical issues, developing goals and objectives, implementing a multi-year work plan (including NR 151 Nonpoint Performance Standards), and continuous evaluation and monitoring. The plan addresses prioritized issues such as groundwater protection, soil erosion, farm drainage and wetland management, nutrient management, wildlife damage control, and conservation education for both agricultural producers and the general public, aiming to encourage environmentally desirable land use conversions and ensure long-term environmental sustainability.

The Dodge County 2045 Comprehensive Plan is a long-range planning document that updates the county's previous plan, setting a vision for the next 20 years. It addresses a range of subjects including land use, farmland preservation, transportation, community facilities, economic development, housing, natural resources, and public services. Key areas of focus, identified through extensive public input, include managing population changes, ensuring affordable housing and workforce development, improving access to medical and childcare services, coordinating EMS/Fire services, enhancing infrastructure, leveraging tourism and the agricultural economy, and protecting natural and cultural resources, with a significant emphasis on water quality and stormwater management.

This Farmland Preservation Plan for Dodge County, Wisconsin, aims to preserve agricultural land and natural resources to maintain a high quality of life and a strong economy. It focuses on encouraging farmland preservation, protecting natural resources, and minimizing conflicts between farm and non-farm land uses. Key priorities include promoting agricultural development and related enterprises, fostering participation in farmland preservation programs, and strategically managing land use to safeguard prime agricultural areas while supporting the agricultural industry.

The Dodge County 2045 Comprehensive Plan Update serves as a guide for coordinated, harmonious development over the next 20 years, aiming to preserve rural character, natural resources, and agricultural lands while directing targeted development. It addresses nine key planning elements including population, housing, transportation, economic development, and land use, with a focus on an 'Outside-In' planning approach. The plan's vision is to maintain Dodge County as a desirable place to live, work, and visit by balancing preservation and growth and addressing critical community issues.

This document outlines the Dodge County 2045 Comprehensive Plan, providing a strategic framework for future development and resource management. It integrates feedback from town surveys on land use planning and zoning, and details extensive programs for housing, economic development, transportation, utilities, agricultural, natural, and cultural resources, and intergovernmental cooperation. The plan also incorporates supplemental data, including a 2024 child care needs assessment, to inform its objectives for community well-being and growth.