Facilities staff report beaver blockage, electronics collection and chiller startup; Fair Board picks 2025 theme

Facilities and parks staff told the Dunn County Facilities Committee on April 30 about several operational updates: a beaver-blocked culvert at Manooman Park that caused trail flooding, a county-wide electronics collection event planned for May, and successful startup of the judicial center chiller ahead of warmer weather.

Scott, a facilities staff member, said the highway department removed debris and a mini backhoe dug out the blocked culvert and staff are pursuing trapping to remove the nuisance beaver. He also reported the county’s electronics collection event was scheduled for noon to 6 p.m. at the Rec Park’s Small and Low Barn with a traffic plan coordinated with local authorities. Scott said the chiller at the judicial center was started up and functioning, a preparation for expected 70s–80s temperatures.

Deb, speaking for the county fair board, announced the fair’s 2025 theme — “Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights” — and described early planning. “So we do have our theme selected … Stars, stripes and summer nights,” Deb said. She said the fair board had been listed as a partner on a tourism website (transcript: “bridal Wisconsin’s website”), was continuing to recruit judges for events — particularly dog-show judges — and was managing vendor contracts, which typically increase after May 1.

Deb also noted the fair board was adjusting after the recent death of Courtney, who had been named the new horse superintendent; Deb said other leaders were stepping forward to help with the horse program. Committee members expressed condolences and acknowledged the workload for volunteers and staff.

Supervisors and staff made minor, informal remarks about local wildlife sightings and improvements to rec-park bleachers. No formal committee actions were taken on these operational updates; staff said they would proceed with planned events and maintenance work.

The committee’s next meeting is May 28 at 5 p.m.