[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6063945,"mediaKeyId","3258716-40ec392cf6b3e7dd269a13050701cd0b","parentId",3258716,"title","Committee hears analysis showing large gap between local incomes and housing costs in Sawyer County","audioSeconds",440,"startMs",1982000,"endMs",2422000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3258716-40ec392cf6b3e7dd269a13050701cd0b&start=1982&end=2422","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3258716-40ec392cf6b3e7dd269a13050701cd0b/thumbnail_1982000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6063945/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Committee-hears-analysis-showing-large-gap-between-local-incomes-and-housing-costs-in-Sawyer-County","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063945-aef5dd5e3b6aa7b815251a40d4668dda/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143844&Signature=NiAOPuBCJyDsWO6VMoMOvxEkXSAfDuoI1SsllIbgg-F1Bl93~~jjJDch9Xe5aX9vyDp0NM7WJw5jreG~GxMjJq-MV2BFPy3blOzIP3cBMejKZD2s~Rrejj7NM0pmyJaTSwJMRIYRQcnNv0KlV1JVh9GX56ACpErRKi4l8fD5M86suEYktZU-jZdCtNMvf9N481uLD9x1EkjWPXxZIQszJ8q8XqDIaho7vbclGyNEpXDOWCnR6i8HP8ZonvzTR-i3QbdW5HvRpEJDRxXeYC18E-4yCOC~nvNIya1z-27jiq8FsvGvoU0IpU4PUifeag~6eV6P0HWoQmbiAMv1TxrUeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sawyer County, WI","date","2025-05-10T16:36:03.91Z","article","A committee member presented an analysis at the Sawyer County Finance Committee meeting showing that typical mortgage-and-escrow payments in the county substantially exceed what an average household can afford, creating a monthly affordability gap that complicates recruitment and workforce retention.

The presentation is significant because housing affordability affects the county’s ability to recruit employees and retain residents. The presenter summarized a Dane County housing study showing construction-cost and interest-rate increases between 2020 and 2024, then applied Sawyer County household-income and median-sale-price data to estimate affordability for local buyers.

Using the figures discussed in the meeting, the presenter said average sale price in Sawyer County in 2023 was $355,000 and that the county’s median household income for 2023 was $57,519 (UW-Extension data cited). The presenter applied a 7.3 percent mortgage rate (the rate used in the study) and a 10 percent down payment and calculated a monthly payment and escrow estimate totaling about $2,700. The presenter compared that payment to a 28 percent-of-gross-income housing affordability benchmark and reported a monthly affordability gap of about $1,359 for the average Sawyer County household under those assumptions.

The presenter said the down payment as a percent of household income would be about 62 percent under those assumptions and noted that only a handful of two-bedroom listings matching the affordability threshold appeared on Zillow when searched during the presentation. The presenter emphasized that the trend is not unique to Sawyer County and that rising construction costs and interest rates have outpaced income growth.

Committee members acknowledged the issue and the presenter said housing affordability will be on next month’s agenda to consider approaches for Sawyer County.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance 2025 05 08","oneSentenceSummary","A committee member presented housing-cost calculations at the Finance Committee meeting showing a significant affordability gap in Sawyer County compared with household income; the presenter cited a Dane County study for construction-cost trends and applied Sawyer County household-income and median-sale-price data from UW Extension and Zillow.","taxTitle","Sawyer County, Wisconsin","taxId",73055,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6063948,"Finance committee approves purchase of CD with Ampersand to replace maturing Franzen CD",107,1841000,1948000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3258716-40ec392cf6b3e7dd269a13050701cd0b&start=1841&end=1948","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3258716-40ec392cf6b3e7dd269a13050701cd0b/thumbnail_1841000.jpg","/articles/6063948/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Finance-committee-approves-purchase-of-CD-with-Ampersand-to-replace-maturing-Franzen-CD","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063948-f00a717004e121d962663b5eb3af76fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143844&Signature=YGLADiSaS6MLEjLlsUZmtEG5rKaygWrjI0beyOZXG97aqxSau8o3WerRArdd7X~JWt-UwSW0YM31qW-Qw0~Jxzo3CTL3X4P9nIxOs-1nD1mP2TOiFo5NCkclnj3xgYTkm2wbrgiUEetLQoH7y35lEvkJWvSFlB3PhM3wo2cKpJr2a0XjlJHZxBbd9VNtrVDJgvbpPcwS9ZhJZsiBMfMczBBBL8IQX9JmsxdrUdYkc7LAZChQgQ11jP-82wziIxoDF7FcdswLyFBdxJiWjfkerIqucI--m23aDFigGOmucrEBA0LjKojZpW-~z-M6bxElYIAzvxipWjI8E7qg7eC5AQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sawyer County Finance Committee voted to invest proceeds from a maturing CD with Ampersand at a recommended effective rate, approving the motion unanimously.

The committee’s action matters because the county seeks to lock in an interest rate while keeping deposits FDIC insured across institutions. Staff presented three bids for the maturing Franzen CD; the net effective rates reported were 4.14 percent from Ampersand, 3.86 percent from a daily-compounding bidder and 4.01 percent from PMA WISC. Staff recommended Ampersand and recommended staggering CDs to keep each institution’s balance below FDIC limits.

Supervisor Mark Hellwig made the motion to purchase a CD through Ampersand when the funds are available; the motion was seconded by Supervisor Tom Duffy. The chair called for a voice vote; all present voted aye and the motion was approved.

At the meeting staff clarified the plan is to hold a series of CDs so that individual deposits remain within FDIC insurance limits of $250,000 per institution. The motion recorded at the meeting authorized the finance office to proceed with the Ampersand CD when the Franzen proceeds are available.","The Finance Committee voted to invest proceeds from a maturing CD in a one-year certificate of deposit with Ampersand to maintain insured coverage across institutions; the motion passed unanimously.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6063954,"Sawyer County treasurer reports foreclosure timeline as delinquent list shrinks to 14 parcels",64,257000,321000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3258716-40ec392cf6b3e7dd269a13050701cd0b&start=257&end=321","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3258716-40ec392cf6b3e7dd269a13050701cd0b/thumbnail_257000.jpg","/articles/6063954/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Sawyer-County-treasurer-reports-foreclosure-timeline-as-delinquent-list-shrinks-to-14-parcels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063954-4067cf3978060be15734e35103461356/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143844&Signature=DlAbGOsIwJWsSBY5npf6oJWnju~w4G~kZrSV-8QZgdR1zu7AG5TPDC~d1hRneJZmRfC26FXYuAHhophqpgOFfmYAKDICODQIZRCpe4zNkd4u5wMNT6h6aAFcSWcJf7hktMui7o~NXR4H7EfI9fQ6FApMIWU8PCjxEkulOGqjqLEkIcmdb~TSQd6TcagV7CdZ1k1qMf6XGJsm696I0kvEVDcUevGNScL02RrANO1GMvW7p5xxVs~PjYSTmDslIUI-oWpEgSXFszgSJZVcMTnpeqHT-jTyDBG2P-IjATiXYriJ~AKPyWFRsLp3lycuP5U8fN15jd4zoHWsX5OG~yiifw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sawyer County’s treasurer told the Finance Committee that the county’s 2020 delinquent-tax enforcement process is moving forward and that the number of affected parcels has declined from earlier counts after some property owners paid outstanding amounts.

The update matters because foreclosures and tax-collection enforcement affect property owners and county tax collections. The treasurer said the county filed a notice of commencement in the interim process to foreclose on lands with 2020 delinquent taxes and set a redemption date of July 11 and a court date of Aug. 11.

According to the treasurer’s report, the county had 37 parcels in the process earlier in the year; that list dropped to 29 at filing and later to 14 as payments came in. The treasurer said payments in lieu of taxes received from municipalities totaled about $20,600 as of the end of April.

The treasurer said people have been coming in to pay and “getting caught up,” and that the process is “headed in the right direction.” No additional formal actions were taken at the meeting on the foreclosures.","The County Treasurer updated the Finance Committee that 2020 delinquent-tax parcels have decreased after notice of commencement was filed; redemption and court dates were set, and municipalities have paid $20,600 in payments in lieu of taxes to date.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6063958,"Sawyer County finance office projects stable budget, flags HHS drawdown and $169,000 highway transfer",480,342000,822000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3258716-40ec392cf6b3e7dd269a13050701cd0b&start=342&end=822","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3258716-40ec392cf6b3e7dd269a13050701cd0b/thumbnail_342000.jpg","/articles/6063958/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Sawyer-County-finance-office-projects-stable-budget-flags-HHS-drawdown-and-169000-highway-transfer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063958-8aac560561dc146a076cba5586c79c73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143844&Signature=gqGlArUdwNjSDe2XTCFbwGzdlUjulflSjL9sI0iYIPZClku2qH-nNLYTzmLEHmzuYeagwA08JaeIyTeYL2hxjWSQXBDbJcTmgg2Z8NL3PL~aMtY7Ghu7njhN9Nc8kOtjv9TKRIkTX-6oRvAqbCy1Ks58~Z~EKDzbcX~jYswCaAhoCg~AlNnyEZlkdhWX5ZtspMNKuQ7N16bE82vjQWaY0i4tu7Xk73R6VpHBC8WI4rX9-YQy~uyvUWojgLWxnAgFnAkJdFTSaVXtzS1BfpS9RgxK5sk~0HxUlRn~Pi7lq4SBOqEdVn8y7w9BTq1W0SveIwVY-H2aiTXxqTm4b1iAeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Sawyer County Finance Committee meeting, finance staff reported that county revenues and expenses are roughly a third of the way through the annual budget and broadly “in good shape,” while identifying several planned accounting moves and program pressures that officials will monitor.

The update matters because the committee is preparing budget parameters and a timeline for department submissions that will shape levy and service decisions for the coming year. Finance staff said they will ask the committee in June to approve the calendar and parameters that will be sent to department heads.

Finance staff reported that overall county expenses are close to a 33 percent run rate through April and that the office has begun booking certain transfers monthly to show a truer picture of department balances. The office is booking a planned transfer of $169,000 to the highway fund now, with a corresponding revenue entry recorded in the highway budget.

County staff also described routine timing differences in Highway accounting, where Highway records in KEMS and then posts to New World the following month, creating a lag that makes Highway appear under 33 percent on a month-by-month snapshot. Staff said Highway expenses remain under budget and that summer construction had not yet started at the time of the report.

On Health and Human Services, finance staff said the department built its fund balance in recent years through county action and operational surpluses. The transcript shows finance staff saying the county placed $1,300,000 from the general fund into HHS in 2021 and that by 2024 the HHS fund balance had grown to about $2,100,000. Staff said HHS plans a budgeted draw from that fund balance and that finance has begun recording the draw monthly so reported revenues more closely match expected cash flows. The office also reported rising youth-justice placement costs, which staff described as a principal driver of recent HHS pressure: “We’ve gone from . . . $100-130,000 a year to over a million now in youth justice,” the presenter said.

Staff requested that the committee approve a detailed budget timeline at its June meeting; the schedule includes a staff deadline for proposed additions by June 30 and departmental budget and CIP submissions by July 31. Finance staff said they will include updated salary and benefits assumptions when they issue instructions to departments, and they proposed a 5 percent assumption for health-insurance renewals based on current renewal information.

The committee also reviewed the monthly capital-improvement report. Active items include a Huber roof and HVAC/air-handler work for the sheriff’s office and vehicle build-outs and purchases for enforcement functions; staff said some sheriff department work will be paid from department-controlled funds rather than solely from CIP.

Committee members asked clarifying questions; no formal budget parameters were adopted at the meeting. The finance office said it will return in June with a formal request to adopt the timeline and parameters for distribution to department heads.","At a Sawyer County Finance Committee meeting, staff presented a quarterly budget review showing overall revenues and expenses near expectations, highlighted Health and Human Services (HHS) fund balance usage and a planned $169,000 transfer to the highway fund, and laid out a budget timeline and deadlines for department submissions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears analysis showing large gap between local incomes and housing costs in Sawyer County

Finance committee approves purchase of CD with Ampersand to replace maturing Franzen CD

Sawyer County treasurer reports foreclosure timeline as delinquent list shrinks to 14 parcels

Sawyer County finance office projects stable budget, flags HHS drawdown and $169,000 highway transfer