Sawyer County Health: licensing inspections at 92.5%, short‑term rentals dominate local permits

Julie, a public-health representative participating online, reported to the Health & Human Services board that licensing inspections for the current year are 92.5% complete and that the department is tracking 925 facilities across the county.

Julie said a majority of the licenses are short‑term rentals — she estimated more than 600 of the 925 facilities — and that the new Sawyer County tourist‑rooming‑house code has created questions among owners who previously fell into hotel/motel classifications. The department is educating owners in the field to promote compliance and noted that licensing renewals due June 30 could change the total counts.

Julie also summarized seasonal health trends: respiratory illness rates are low for the region and state, while reports of tickborne illness (including erythema migrans rash reports) have increased, likely in part due to more streamlined reporting through electronic medical records.

Next steps: public-health staff will continue inspections through the licensing year, conduct owner education on new code categories and report updates on inspection completion and any code‑related issues at future meetings.