County administrator to retire; board moving forward on Opportunity Zone renewal and radio network work

The county administrator briefed the Sawyer County Board on several administrative matters and announced his planned retirement at the end of the year. He said staff are preparing to submit a renewal application for an Opportunity Zone that covers eligible tracks in Hayward and parts of surrounding towns; the county plans to formally submit the application in the coming week.

The administrator also provided an update on public-safety radio network work. Meadowbrook site work was approved previously; he said the Meadowbrook project costs decreased but added that connecting electricity to the site will cost roughly $40,000. He said GenCom and zoning approvals are in place and that upgrades or replacement of another tower remain under review.

On a community program note, he reported the federal deflection program funding was not renewed and the local program has been operating under donations and small grants; the county is seeking alternative supports.

Finally, the administrator said he plans to retire at the end of the year and that the administrative committee in August will discuss next steps on succession planning. "A few months of careful consideration... I'm gonna retire at the end of the year," he said during his report.

No formal votes were taken on these topics during the meeting; the board directed the administrative committee to place succession planning on a future agenda.