2024-09-09 County ManagerCounty Manager Update
September 9, 2024
9:41 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan
Barrett, Becky Butler, Geoff Soderquist, Josh Metcalf, Meja Handlen, Gabe Anzelini, Matt Jaeger
Guest(s): Ron Johnson
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Onalaska Fire Department request: The commissioners discussed the fire department’s request to have
the county donate county-owned land to the fire department. The commissioners directed staff to draft
a letter of denial and to draft an interlocal agreement for use of the property.
Senior centers: The commissioners directed staff to research the ability to transfer ownership of the
county-owned senior center buildings. The commissioners directed staff to keep the county’s financial
contributions in the preliminary budget.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA): Commissioner Pollock made a motion to transfer $1 million from
ARPA under the lost revenue category in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) and $500,000
from Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) for 2024. Commissioner Swope seconded.
Motion passed 3-0.
Engineering position reclassification: Josh Metcalf discussed a request to reclassify the Senior Engineer
position from a 127 to a 131. He noted the move would create compression issues that would be
addressed by also adjusting grading for the remaining positions:
• Engineering Tech I, II, III, IV and V
• Senior Engineer
• Assistant County Engineer
• County Engineer
• County Surveyor
• Transportation Planner
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve the reclassifications as proposed effective Oct. 1,
2024. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
The commissioners canceled the Sept. 18 Directors’ Update, noting that items will be discussed during
the Sept. 23 Wrap-Up meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 10:26 a.m.