We might only be just out of August, but local governments are already getting started on budgets for 2027.
That was the case at the Aug. 25 Vilas County Board of Supervisors meeting, with lengthy discussion and vote on the issuance of $6.58 million to cover needed highway improvement projects and a new forestry building.

The $3.2 million price tag that accompanied the Forestry office building and work space project concerned some of the county supervisors. County Chair Jerry Burkett said the building’s condition poses health and safety concerns and has outlived its life. It was built in 1991.

Forestry Administrator Chad Keranen spoke on the condition of the building which has suffered from water intrusion that has caused mold and other problems.

“There have been a lot of issues since it was built,” Keranen said. “There’s been a lot of water intrusion since 2010 that was never addressed. It’s just getting to the point of mold and everything down in the basement. It’s all saturated. We’re out of space, it’s a hazard in ventilation; we’ve got a whole documented list.”

Keranen and architects working on the project aim to build a completely new building next to the existing one which would be removed. There also is a very old pole building on the original site that is in rough shape as well. A newer pole building that is about 10 years old will be incorporated into the building plans. Those plans would allow for future expansion.

Supervisor and Vice Chair Carolyn Ritter was surprised by the building cost, saying she would expect it to be closer to $1-1.5 million for the project as opposed to nearly double that. Burkett said inflation is the reason for the high cost to build.

Second-Vice Chair Joe Muehlbach clarified that the building is not just for offices but also would include a new workshop and storage space. He noted there are other concerns including flooding in the workshop in the colder months that turns to ice, which creates a hazard for people working. He added that the $3.2 million price tag is on the high side, and they are all working to get the costs down and will have a better idea once the project goes to bid.

Finance Director Darcy Smith reminded the board that okaying the note was stated for “up to $6.58 million,” noting that they didn’t necessarily have to spend the entire amount. She also explained that money could be shifted to accommodate more highway projects if the forestry building came in under budget.

“We don’t have all the answers yet. More information will be coming as budgets are worked on,” she said. “This is an initial resolution to allow us to move forward.”

Burkett told supervisors that they were not approving the forestry building project, just the borrowing of money to get projects done.

The board was required to pass the resolution by a ¾ majority vote. It was passed unanimously.

District 6 appointment

One of the early pieces of business during the meeting was the appointment of Pamela Ahlborn-Carroll to the vacancy in District 6 for the Town of Arbor Vitae, Wards 3 and 4. Ahlborn-Carroll is filling the seat vacated by Leah Trojan earlier this year when she took a paid position with the county.

She is a lifelong resident in Vilas County and is looking forward to serving the residents of Arbor Vitae.