[{"_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",6427445,"mediaKeyId","5888279-52b7fc83dc862a482ed461a75ebbafd0","parentId",5888279,"title","Sawyer County library directors ask for stable funding as staffing and capital needs mount","audioSeconds",1128,"startMs",65000,"endMs",1193000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888279-52b7fc83dc862a482ed461a75ebbafd0&start=65&end=1193","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888279-52b7fc83dc862a482ed461a75ebbafd0/thumbnail_65000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6427445/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Sawyer-County-library-directors-ask-for-stable-funding-as-staffing-and-capital-needs-mount","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427445-2f5e22c08161c5ad121db2aacdb9aa5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770742182&Signature=h0LLV-ftlPsrVNZwaX~DXqZBPdCuoMXUgMpkwbDBZeIUtEuRQv4HB4iFxWRfUq75YnzPZLS5pZ1M70hKhc2TgG1Ytv0RJ3Da~vV1MXLbQR6Zig~dEcnf09wPc7NqmYVB-3WBprKxE1T2zQYq~FOHcvlL1keyg65P~~BIibQjvtA7eBPOFcFqA~aiZ6qUVkmxJNfZ8~wacZCSNRhe1UkE0y-MmRRoW6aeMS6YAFdk~~U86KohFCBMamH4l0n78jtAhpRCz2KupaASj1A4K3pgY7Yy8Po5KEDj1moYREFpkAZ0GFil-1e9XV-cFUlZgEIW56vMeFsUTg4SGpqu2XMMCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sawyer County, WI ","date","2025-10-06T19:51:24Z","article","Directors of two Sawyer County libraries told county supervisors at the October meeting that rising usage, deferred building repairs and lagging staff pay have left their operations vulnerable and that they need more stable county funding to avoid further service cuts.

Anne Larson, director of the Sherman & Ruth Weitz Community Library in Hayward, said the library welcomed about 58,000 visitors in the last year — a 10% increase over 2023 — and hosted nearly 4,700 attendees across roughly 245 programs. “The library is the heart of our community,” Larson said, adding that demand for quiet study rooms and strong Wi‑Fi is increasing as patrons use the facility for telehealth, online classes and remote work.

Larson said Sawyer County covers just over half of the library’s operating budget and described a staffing shortfall and capital needs that have forced past reductions in hours. She told supervisors the library has seen its full‑time equivalent staff fall from 6.63 in 2011 to five in 2024, and said she is requesting additional county support this budget cycle; supervisors in the meeting characterized the library’s current supplemental ask as roughly $45,000.

Donna McNucky, director of the Winter Public Library, said her board is not asking for an operating increase this year but is planning capital projects and a strategic plan. “We’re very thankful for the funding we do get,” McNucky said, and added that program attendance has held steady after the library consolidated offerings to avoid overtaxing a two‑person part‑time staff.

Supervisors pressed librarians on options. One supervisor noted that county contributions for the Hayward library have exceeded the usual formula in prior years and asked whether municipal partners could be organized into a multijurisdictional agreement to share costs; Larson said such an arrangement would require negotiation among the city and towns and could trigger other requirements, including certification expectations for future directors.

Larson detailed capital and maintenance costs: recent plumbing and automatic‑door repairs, air‑conditioner failures and needed work on the library pier and bridge. She said the Hayward Library Foundation has built an endowment of about $1 million toward a $2 million goal and granted $32,000 to the library in 2025; the foundation expects to be able to contribute more only after it reaches its endowment target.

The county administrator and supervisors signaled sympathy for library needs but also said county departments are being asked to tighten budgets. One supervisor said that while the county’s contribution does not come from the levy limit and would be paid by all county taxpayers, he had concerns about increasing one external ask while county departments absorb constraints.

The libraries said they will present at the public hearing next week and continue municipal outreach to seek more stable, multi‑municipal funding arrangements.

Ending

Directors left the committee with a clearer picture of their capital backlog, staffing pressures and the libraries’ role in public services; supervisors asked for additional documentation on capital needs and return‑on‑investment comparisons before finalizing any extra appropriation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Economic Development and UW Extension 2025 10 06","oneSentenceSummary","Directors of the Sherman & Ruth Weitz Community Library in Hayward and the Winter Public Library briefed Sawyer County supervisors on rising usage, deferred capital repairs and staffing shortfalls and asked the county for steadier support.","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},6427425,"Northwest Regional Planning Commission: Sawyer County revolving‑loan fund to return to state; $1M mobile‑home funds and rehab program outlined",185,2758000,2943000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888279-52b7fc83dc862a482ed461a75ebbafd0&start=2758&end=2943","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888279-52b7fc83dc862a482ed461a75ebbafd0/thumbnail_2758000.jpg","/articles/6427425/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Northwest-Regional-Planning-Commission-Sawyer-County-revolvingloan-fund-to-return-to-state-1M-mobilehome-funds-and-rehab-program-outlined","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427425-01b69a4419b2a49e41b0e80a4ea7bb9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770742182&Signature=BwAmJGXGw09p-hCxzD1idzxMLkTVy200pTjYiOf5Mazf4Ez4YSc5ZLDPRvdo4OqAesyGhqSf0ckHdrKzYLlvuC3n5UgpBUhtKEljaPYq2kSpqRmypv6BuM5cnc7pH1T6Ne2o0n96GgrAtedQPKCtoCg19XiQryyNzDLq-hhNQTThZG3rhEwmKTRsiM-WZhPcK-i2JnvRDaN-BhRH8JYXjnF18POEbsUCeNk1TGog3IGTduBXyEuZ-a5APl9t-pLXXoIoFpP~woSqte1XKAUw7TvQMfW1z1d~UYsKlh1cnZeen1m1PnxrjxQW7HQ3LUCdBfWiHWeKYkc67MoxSlz3VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A representative of the Northwest Regional Planning Commission updated Sawyer County supervisors on multiple regional programs, including the recapitalization of county revolving‑loan funds by the state, availability of a new mobile‑home owner targeted fund and timing for applications to a state rehabilitation program.

The presenter said the county’s revolving loan fund — administered regionally for years and used for housing rehabilitation and small business loans — will be turned over to the Wisconsin Department of Administration beginning April 1; remaining balances and future loan repayments will be sent back to the state and pooled for a new statewide program to rehabilitate vacant or underused buildings. The speaker said administrators will coordinate with county staff when loan repayments occur so checks can be issued to DOA.

The planning commission representative noted the region had recently received an allocation of about $1,000,000 in mobile‑home‑targeted funds intended to repair or replace substandard mobile homes for tenants at or below about 80% of county median household income. The funds are structured as long‑term loans to be repaid monthly; the presenter cautioned that tenants with no current mortgage or loan obligations on their units may face challenges in accepting a new repayment obligation.

The representative also summarized other programs: the commission manages a regional Community Development Block Grant housing rehabilitation program (with Douglas County as lead), the Small Business Administration microloan program recently provided $300,000 for technical assistance to small businesses, and the commission is updating a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy required for its Economic Development Administration designation. The speaker said the CEDS draft is open for public comment through Oct. 24, 2025, and that the commission will consider a forestry resolution at its next executive committee meeting.

Ending

County staff were advised that program timelines require coordination with state agencies and that applications for recapitalized state funds are expected to open in late spring 2026 with awards in early 2027; supervisors requested continued updates and coordination on housing programs and fund implementation.","A Northwest Regional Planning Commission representative told Sawyer County officials that the county’s revolving loan fund will be returned to the state and briefed the board on housing rehab programs, a new $1 million mobile‑home targeted fund and regional economic development grants and loans.",{"_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},6427432,"Sawyer County board endorses Forestry Revitalization Act; resolution passes unanimously",156,3655000,3811000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888279-52b7fc83dc862a482ed461a75ebbafd0&start=3655&end=3811","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888279-52b7fc83dc862a482ed461a75ebbafd0/thumbnail_3655000.jpg","/articles/6427432/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Sawyer-County-board-endorses-Forestry-Revitalization-Act-resolution-passes-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427432-13c6728d4a9cb009c70a58cc0e0ee6f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770742182&Signature=NS~IVGFQj-0e5bR3pjbjxNhrK1~7eQN~-xKOZCmOBvLSmtDCkeIVh32~d6pad6syi0wEVz66lg8Rs7YjsZbX4QlsrpQgcBMtadPwGZguh5bjkgBD5XmZDjDwsnflE7o8w9kVwClK~pbmGaPXlg~AKzsE~oCZ~L5cubMou2ktVxLjSDaTq1U~r6uZV-NsizIPV5FOyYNYWUMz1QKqnrSSfUhMg6v48JKRUxNS9AlffSsxC4u-jmL8PsCBM0C0ClzBXAP5BOGL1Gu3fISboSc~FkJebdi12myOn3sx8AlnMmIMRoKirYH0txuUbC6FZLE6vl4FyagCNfubxo25lRQAlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sawyer County board voted to adopt a resolution supporting the Forestry Revitalization Act after hearing remarks from county officials who described the bill as a significant economic opportunity for the region.

A county official described the measure as likely to boost local wood‑using industries and cited a projected plant that could create about 150 jobs with annual wages above $100,000, plus roughly 200 additional logging and trucking jobs. He said the bill proposes a $150 million bonding package, to be repaid from the state forestry account; supporters argued that using forestry revenues to support forest industry investment is consistent with the account’s purposes.

Supervisor Stacy Hessel moved to approve the resolution; Supervisor Randy Newman seconded. The board voted in favor with ayes recorded and no oppositions or recorded no votes; the chair declared the resolution passed.

Backers said the legislation, sponsored in part by Senator Velasquez and Representative Green, would not only add capacity for manufacturing wood products but could keep more workers in the region by creating higher‑paying processing jobs and related trucking and logging work. One supervisor noted existing capacity plans include at least two other potential sites beyond the initial plant, including a site in Ontonagon, Michigan.

Ending

The resolution will be forwarded as a county expression of support to state legislators and mirrors a similar resolution expected later this month from the Northwest Regional Planning Commission; supervisors did not allocate county funds as part of the action.","The county board voted to support the state Forestry Revitalization Act, citing potential job creation and local industrial investment backed by proposed state forestry funds and bonding.",{"_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},6427439,"Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau asks Sawyer County for $50,000 to stabilize tourism marketing",381,2095000,2476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888279-52b7fc83dc862a482ed461a75ebbafd0&start=2095&end=2476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888279-52b7fc83dc862a482ed461a75ebbafd0/thumbnail_2095000.jpg","/articles/6427439/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Hayward-Lakes-Visitor-Convention-Bureau-asks-Sawyer-County-for-50000-to-stabilize-tourism-marketing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427439-344269e906a139421c54d6b55fdef596/orig.mp4?Expires=1770742182&Signature=Q03Ej~7qgP6neOsUCr8nw8OVaz81IFNvZmonYSGhVc0D5iqKrlzSACicO1grH~kfRL5DZUyKpGEEVfx1yBaZYLRQH7c2v2U1ZZ7AI-ZEK31p7UUO4AicKtIFw~PWmHcwg-gQTYZgBeHuylOHETSROzg3-LgOw4GjxOqGXJHvDvZX5akhqo2SNnrw1rP4pwadQIGEHWRsRfysi4a5EshIMEeOKRtzxekgvPA9m1~8QInSKP~RWYqD-0vu-rPx-IYj59pELhFa-ZZjvqE8hZ4R6XJQhB1Aw~lt7W5D2EL74EXYgLVxPrTrqtXy7~UFUi5PBWFNeBGJ-jwFdVDOwlfkgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau told Sawyer County supervisors that a county contribution of $50,000 helps stabilize marketing programs that generate substantial local economic activity and tax revenues.

Mindy Simons, director of the bureau, said Sawyer County tourism generated roughly $151 million in economic impact and $10.5 million in state and local taxes in 2024, and that tourism supported about 960 jobs countywide. “The county’s contribution helps ensure our operating expenses in case there are revenue fluctuations,” Simons said, citing data from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s annual economic impact study.

Simons reviewed the county’s room‑tax landscape: only six of Sawyer County’s 21 municipalities have a room tax ordinance, and only four contract with the bureau for the room‑tax funds. She cited Sawyer County resolution 2017‑52, passed by the county board, that encouraged municipalities to adopt room tax ordinances; she said only three municipalities have enacted a room tax since that 2017 resolution.

The bureau’s stated room‑tax policy follows state guidance that room‑tax revenue should fund tourism promotion and development that generates paid overnight stays; Simons said the bureau’s room‑tax dollars are devoted to advertising, recruitment of conventions and sports events, visitor services and destination development and are not used for payroll, operating costs, insurance or utilities.

Committee members asked for a written summary and additional local breakdowns. One supervisor suggested the finance committee consider Simons’ presentation at its Thursday meeting to evaluate whether increased county investment could yield a higher return. Simons said the bureau has kept its county budget request flat for several years and called the $50,000 ask a small fraction of total tourism impact in the county.

Ending

Supervisors asked the bureau to provide supporting documents for the economic figures and said they would consider whether to include the bureau’s request in the upcoming county budget deliberations.","The Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau told the county it seeks a $50,000 annual county contribution to stabilize marketing and visitor services, and provided 2024 economic‑impact figures in support of the request.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sawyer County library directors ask for stable funding as staffing and capital needs mount

Northwest Regional Planning Commission: Sawyer County revolving‑loan fund to return to state; $1M mobile‑home funds and rehab program outlined

Sawyer County board endorses Forestry Revitalization Act; resolution passes unanimously

Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau asks Sawyer County for $50,000 to stabilize tourism marketing