Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors Meeting - May 19, 2026
Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors Meeting - May 19, 2026
The Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors met on May 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. with 24 supervisors present (Supervisor Hurlash excused). The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, a proclamation, annual reports, and approval of multiple resolutions. All votes were unanimous except the sheriff's office union contract.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of April 21 and April 28, 2026 – Approved unanimously (24-0).
- Mileage/Per Diem Reports for March and April 2026 – Approved unanimously (24-0 and 23-0, with Supervisor Smith excused). A minor correction was noted for Supervisor Fenrick's April report.
- Resolution Adjusting Budget Carryovers – Restricting $23,330.21 of 2025 year-end general fund balance and assigning $15,523,171.56 for future expenditures. Approved 23-0.
- Resolution Appropriating $628,005.62 – From the general fund to close overdrawn 2025 departmental budgets (primarily jail food and overtime). Approved 23-0.
- Resolution Accepting $100,000 Donation – From two donors for sheriff's office fitness center equipment. Approved 23-0.
- Resolution Adopting Non‑Metallic Mining Reclamation Fee Schedule – Approved 23-0.
- Resolution Authorizing Temporary Road Closure – For a bicycle race around Lake Winnebago on August 16, 2026. Approved 23-0.
- Resolutions Authorizing Easements – With J.L. Ziegler Companies (access), City of Fond du Lac (water main, sanitary sewer, and combined). All approved 23-0.
- Resolution Applying for Targeted Runoff Management Grant – Up to $460,000 for conservation practices in the Silver Creek/Green Lake watershed. Approved 23-0.
- Resolution Repealing and Recreating Shoreland Zoning Maps – Updating maps for all towns in Chapter 44. Approved 23-0.
- Resolution Amending Non‑Metallic Mining Reclamation Ordinance (Chapter 36). Approved 23-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were offered.
Discussion Items
- Recognition of Retirees – Resolutions honoring Margaret Gurnal (39.5 years, Sheriff's Office), Dixie Connect (25.5 years, Sheriff's Office), Kevin Cable (24.5 years, Jail), and Tom Palmer (40.5 years, Central Maintenance). Each received a plaque and copy of the resolution. Approved unanimously.
- Recognition of Former Supervisor Dennis Stenz – Honored for serving District 12 (2012‑2026) and the 3rd Supervisory District (2002‑2008), including roles on multiple committees. Stenz thanked the board. Approved unanimously.
- Poppy Month Proclamation – Designating May 2026 as Poppy Month. Presented by Poppy Princess Melena, who distributed poppies to veterans present. Approved unanimously.
- 2025 Health Department Annual Report – Health Officer Kim Miller and staff presented. Key data: Community Health Improvement Plan priorities (mental health, substance use, health care access). The 2025 Suicide and Overdose Death Review Team report noted 11 overdose deaths and 13 suicides (suicides doubled from prior year; a 12‑year‑old was among the victims). An alarming theme was lack of access to resources and that peer support is effective when available. Food insecurity program update by Rain Bleaker: first‑ever meeting of 15 food pantries (22 participants) held May 11, 2026, with quarterly networking planned. The Save a Smile program faces funding shortfalls (United Way and SSM grants reduced by $7,000 each). Report placed on file.
- 2025 UW‑Extension Annual Report – Area Extension Director Patty Carroll and educators presented. County investment leverages state/federal funds. Agriculture: forage webinars (100+ weekly participants), Badger Cropped Connect (15 webinars, 73,000+ learning minutes), corn silage sampling. Dairy safety and bilingual training by Manuel. Community Development: support for nonprofits (board planning, financial training). 4‑H: 605 youth served by 130 volunteers. Human Development: co‑parenting programs (264 participants in 2025). Community gardens and partnerships with Family Court, Juvenile Justice, Human Services. Report placed on file.
- Sheriff's Office Union Contract Resolution – Authorizing a three‑year agreement (June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2029) with wage increases of 4%, 5%, 4%. Executive Sam Kaufman explained the contract aims to stay within $1 of Winnebago County rates. Discussion included compression issues (lieutenants not in union) and concerns about impacts on municipal police departments (Supervisor Griffith). Approved 22‑1‑1 (22 yes, 1 no, 1 abstention).
Key Outcomes
- All resolutions and minutes were approved as listed above.
- The sheriff's office union contract passed with 22 in favor, 1 opposed, and 1 abstention.
- The board received and placed on file the Health Department and UW‑Extension annual reports.
- The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Nineteenth, twenty twenty-six meeting of the Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors. As is our tradition, we will have the presentation of colors, followed by a moment of silence, followed in turn by the Pledge of Allegiance. This evening we have the Wapon VFW post six seven zero nine Bentley Hull, or I'm sorry, yeah, Bentley Hull here to present the colors. Please rise to the United States under which stands formation justice. Thank you, gentlemen. Okay, the roll call this evening is we have twenty uh four supervisors present with Supervisor Hurlash being excused. We are having some issues again with the iPads. We're not exactly sure. They're on with support again. Unfortunately, we can't diagnose this until everybody's here logged in. So they're gonna do their best. Otherwise, just have patience with us and we'll get through it again this evening. First item on the agenda is to approve the minutes of the April twenty-first, twenty twenty-six meeting of the Fond du Lac County Board. Is there a motion to approve? Motion by Supervisor Conley, second by Supervisor Beer. Are there any errors, omissions, or corrections to the minutes? Okay, I don't see any, so we'll move to the vote. All those in favor, press your button aye. Opposed nay. Yep. Yeah, I think everybody. Anybody voting in opposition? Otherwise, we'll give you all an aye. Okay. The minutes have been approved, twenty-four in favor and none opposed. Okay. Next item on the agenda is to approve the minutes of the April twenty-eighth, twenty twenty-six meeting of the Fond du Lac County Board. Is there a motion to approve? Motion by Supervisor Van Heizen, second by Supervisor Simon. Are there any errors, omissions, or corrections to the minutes? Okay, I don't see any, so we'll move to the vote. All those in favor, press your button aye. Opposed, nay. There are the minutes have been approved, 24 in favor and none opposed. Okay. Our first resolution on special recognition this evening is a resolution recognizing Margaret Gurnal, Dixie Connect, Kevin Cable, and Tom Palmer for their dedicated service and contributions to Fond du Lac County. This is dated May 19th, 2026, and submitted by Finance, Personnel, and Economic Development Committee, along with the entire Fondelac County Board of Supervisors. Okay, as is our tradition, I will read the resolution. Whereas Margaret Gurno has served Fondalac County for 39 and a half years retiring as program assistant three in the Fondelac County Sheriff's Office. And whereas Dixie Connect has served Fonlac County for 25 and a half years, retiring as program assistant two, also in the Fondelac County Sheriff's Office. And whereas Kevin uh Kevin Cable has served Fon Lac County for 24 and a half years, retiring as correctional sergeant in the Fonulac County jail. And whereas Tom Palmer has served Fonalac County for 40 and a half years retiring as maintenance mechanic two in the Central Maintenance Department. Now therefore be it resolved that we, the members of the Fondal Lac County Board of Supervisors, do hereby extend to Margaret Margaret Gurnal, Dixie Connect, Kevin Cable, and Tom Palmer our sincere and grateful appreciation for their dedicated service and contributions to Fond du Lac County. Be it further resolved that on behalf of Fondalac County, we do hereby offer our congratulations on their well-earned retirement and best wishes in the years to come. Is there a motion to approve? Motion by Supervisor Hayes, second by Supervisor Meyerchuk. Are there any questions or comments on the resolution? I don't see any, so we'll move to the vote. All those in favor, press your button aye. Oppose nay.
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