Ongoing Town Board Business
Citizens for Education in Town Governance monitors issues that come before the town board by attending town board meetings, reviewing minutes of meetings, listening to recordings of meetings, and reviewing pertinent literature and research. Many of the issues are summarized below - Click the topics for details.
2024 Approved Budget (CETG Statement updated 2.6.24). The town's 2024 budget was approved on November 21, 2023. A statement on the budget by CETG was updated on February 6, 2024.
Questions on Town Public Records & Open Meetings Practices. Citizens for Education in Town Governance (CETG) has questioned town practices regarding administration of the public records and open meetings laws for several years. In July-December 2022, for example, a law firm representing CETG submitted letters to town officials questioning the town's compliance with public records and open meetings laws.
Increasing Size of Town Board, updated 4.23.24. Following discussion at the town's Annual Meeting on April 16, 2024, electors approved increasing the size of the Lac du Flambeau town board from three members to five members.
Public Library. On June 16, 2021, the Town Board split its vote (2 approve, 1 abstain) on a motion to approve a recommendation submitted by the chair of the public library board for Chris Mayer to serve on the library board.
Broadband, Update 3.22.24. Updated to include an article in the March 21, 2024, edition of "The Daily Cardinal."
Road Jurisdiction, update 5.1.24. The town board held a regular meeting on May 1, 2024, which included a closed session for discussing the easement issue. After the closed session, chair Gaulke said the board members "are and have" been discussing in closed sessions a proposal for the tribe related to the easement issue. Moreover, he said the board will discuss a final draft with the town's legal counsel at a special meeting "next Thursday" (May 9, 2024) at 2 pm. The board then approved paying the easement fee for May 12 - June 12. When asked the size of the payment, chair Gaulke stated "$44,000".
Lawsuit Over Property Taxes. “A federal judge in Madison ruled on Friday [April 9, 2021] that reservation lands held by four Chippewa tribes in northern Wisconsin cannot be taxed by the state if they have been under Indian ownership since being allotted by the federal government. In November 2018, the plaintiff tribes sued former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, then-Wisconsin Secretary of Revenue Richard Chandler and 11 northern Wisconsin towns and their assessors in federal court over the state’s attempts to assess and tax property within the boundaries of their respective reservations.” (Wausau Pilot & Review, April 10, 2021)
Enforcement of Boating Ordinance. In June 2018, the town board asked Tribal Conservation Wardens whether they would enforce the town's boating ordinance. This document provides background information and the most recent information that has been made available.
Planning, update 1.10.24. On January 10, 2024, Supervisor Hanson encouraged the town board to initiate long-term financial planning given the board's current finances.
The topic had been noted by the board a number of times during the past years, most recently on April 17 and 18, 2023. The April 17 meeting was devoted specifically to establishing a twelve-month planning calendar as a restart to planning while at the April 18 meeting, electors and board members reinforced the need to work together as well as look ahead.
The topic had been noted by the board a number of times during the past years, most recently on April 17 and 18, 2023. The April 17 meeting was devoted specifically to establishing a twelve-month planning calendar as a restart to planning while at the April 18 meeting, electors and board members reinforced the need to work together as well as look ahead.
Financial Audit, update 7.31.23. On February 15, 2023, town officials acknowledged receiving the financial audit for 2021, and authorized an audit of 2022 records. After reviewing the 2021 audit, Citizens for Education in Town Governance (CETG) submitted to the town clerk several questions about the audit. The clerk said she would forward the questions to the auditor.
At town board meetings on June 7 and July 26, 2023, it was reported that the town had yet to receive a response from the auditor.
At town board meetings on June 7 and July 26, 2023, it was reported that the town had yet to receive a response from the auditor.
Fire Department, updated 12.10.23. Draft minutes of the town electors meeting on November 21, 2023, include approval of the following motion. Motion to Authorize Town Board to Dispose of Surplus Goods/Property: Discussion. Motion by Jim Sommerfeldt to authorize the Town Board to dispose of surplus goods/property with an advisory note of recommended fire equipment to be disposed of; seconded by Mike Zimmerman. Motion carried.
Ambulance Department, updated 12.9.23. At the town board meeting on December 6, 2023, town officials approved “under protest” an Ambulance Service Program Contract with Oneida County in the amount of $291,514 in order to sustain services for 2024. Money from the ambulance fund will be used to pay the fee.
Ambulance Department, updated 12.9.23. At the town board meeting on December 6, 2023, town officials approved “under protest” an Ambulance Service Program Contract with Oneida County in the amount of $291,514 in order to sustain services for 2024. Money from the ambulance fund will be used to pay the fee.
Road Construction 2009-2023, updated 7.18.23. At the town board meeting on July 12, 2023, town officials confirmed work on part of Plummer Lake Road, but held off on approving work for the remainder of the road due to lack of funds. Since then, the town received notification from the Wisconsin Towns Association on the impact of the Governor's veto on the amount of future funding for road projects..
Tribal Fish Hatchery Purchase Agreements. On May 18, 2022, the Town Board purchased 1,600,000 walleye fry from the Tribal Fish Hatchery for $16,000 to stock the Sugarbush Chain (300,000), White Sand Lake (220,000), Pokegama Lake (220,000), Flambeau Lake (220,000), Big Crawling Stone Lake (220,000), Fence Lake (220,000), and Bolton Lake (200,000).
Transfer Station. At a special town board meeting on July 21, 2022, the town clerk briefly noted a report that had been submitted by the transfer station attendant.
Zoning Department, updated 10.20.23. At a town board meeting on October 18, 2023, the town's zoninng administrator, Mike Zimmerman, reported on zoning data collected January through September 2023.
Lakeland Airport. On March 2, 2022, town supervisors Cobb and Hanson re-appointed town chair, Matt Gaulke, to another two-year term as airport commissioner.
Propane, Update 8.3.23. At the town board meeting on August 2, 2023, officials opted to use remaining pre-buy credit rather than purchasing additional pre-buy at this time. On August 3, 2022, the town board approved purchasing 15,000 gallons of propane from Petroleum Heat & Power at $1.80 per gallon ($27,000) for 2023. The town still has about $27,000 of that pre-buy available.