MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025, 9:00 A.M.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF OCONTO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY BOARD ROOM #3041 – COURTHOUSE 3RD FLOOR – BLDG. A
301 WASHINGTON STREET, OCONTO, WI 54153-1699
www.ocontocountywi.gov
(Draft minutes, not approved by Committee)

COMMITTEE PRESENT: Al Sleeter, Dennis Kroll, Tim Cole, David Christianson (arrived 10:10 a.m.), Tom Bitters, Guy Gooding 
COMMITTEE ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Richard Heath, County Administrator; Beth Ellingson, Corporation Counsel; Shelly Schultz, HR Director; Betty Bickel, Finance Director; and Mike Beyer, County Supervisor District 26
1.	Call to Order
Chair Sleeter called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
2.	Statement of Mission and Vision
Richard Heath, County Administrator, read the Mission and Vision Statement.
3.	Approval of Agenda 
3.1.	Change of Sequence – None. 
3.2.	Removal of Items – None. 
Motion by Cole/Bitters to approve the agenda as presented.  The motion was voted on and carried.
4.	Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Motion by Kroll/Gooding to approve the July 30, 2025 minutes as presented. The motion was voted on and carried.
5.	Communications – None.
6.	Review Chapter 2 Code of Ordinance County Board Rules 
The Committee members reviewed the proposed changes and there was discussion on Lines 260-265. Chair Sleeter explained that this change is needed to follow Robert’s Rules of Order and ensure discussion is not prematurely cut off on any agenda item before every Supervisor has had a chance to ask for clarification, a question, or state their position on the topic. Motion by Bitters/Cole to approve Chapter 2 Code of Ordinance County Board Rules as presented with the proposed revisions. The motion was voted on and carried.
7.	Approve County Board Compensation for the 2026-2028 Term
The proposed new compensation figures were provided to the Committee members for discussion. Chair Sleeter stated that any changes to the compensation amounts for board members need to be approved by the County Board prior to the bi-annual county board elections which will take place in April, 2026. There were modest increases for the Vice Chair, and for attendance at standing and non-standing committees. Discussion followed. Motion by Gooding/Cole to approve the County Board Compensation for the 2026-2028 Term with a change to the Vice-Chair’s compensation to be $5,400. The motion was voted on and carried.
8.	Discussion and possible action – County Board Supervisor Job Description, Duties and Responsibilities 
Heath explained that having a job description for individuals interested in running for the County Board would help them better understand their roles as Supervisors and what is expected of them in conducting county business. This job description, along with the County Board Rules would be given to anyone that takes out papers to run for the County Board. Discussion followed. The Committee members agreed that this information would be helpful to ensure there is a professional, productive approach to their roles. Motion by Bitters/Gooding to approve the Job Description retitled Job Description, Duties, and Responsibilities. The motion was voted on and carried.
9.	Discussion and possible action on Next Steps for Strategic Planning 
Heath reviewed the proposal submitted by CESA 8 to take the next steps in the county strategic planning process. CESA 8 staff facilitated the first phase of the county’s strategic planning process in 2022 with the preparation and adoption of the county’s mission, vision, and value statements. The next phase that would start next month encompasses onboarding and governance framework; leadership and management training; and a marketing and communication plan at a cost of $14.000. The cost for phases 3 and 4 would be an additional $4,000. The money was included in the County Clerk’s 2026 budget. Discussion followed. Motion by Kroll/Bitters to approve the proposal by CESA 8 to facilitate the next phases of the county’s strategic planning process at a total cost of $18,000. The motion was voted on and carried.
10.	Discussion and possible action – Audio/Visual Workgroup
Heath presented the proposal provided by CIVIC Plus to record and live stream the County Board meetings with an initial set-up cost of $6,175 and an annual fee of $6,500. When the workgroup originally met last fall to see if and how County Board meetings could be recorded, it was determined that the sound system was not adequate, and microphones were installed over the summer. The next step is acquiring the software to record, store, and rebroadcast the recordings. CIVIC Plus offers compatible software to the county’s website to store and maintain video recordings. Discussion followed with concerns centered around how many people would view the recordings, the cost for the ongoing software and equipment, server capacity, and the staff time needed to manage the videotaping of the meetings. The Committee members wanted more information before making a recommendation to move forward with the recordings and would address this topic at a later meeting. This agenda item was for information only.
11.	Approve the 2026 County Board and Committee Meeting Calendar
A copy of the proposed 2026 meeting calendar was reviewed by the Committee members. Supervisor Gooding explained that there should be two separate County Board meetings in October, so the one meeting does not run too long. The business meeting would be scheduled as usual on the third Thursday of the month, October 22nd; and the budget meeting the fourth Thursday of the month, October 29th. Motion by Bitters/Gooding to approve the 2026 County Board and Committee Calendar confirming and noting the two separate County Board meetings in October. The motion was voted on and carried.
12.	Closed Session: The Committee may convene into closed session, pursuant to 
Wisconsin Statute Sec. 19.85(1)(c), for the purpose of considering performance evaluation data of a county employee.
Motion by Cole/Kroll to enter into closed session at 10:12 a.m. with the following in attendance: Committee members, Corporation Counsel, Beth Ellingson; and Supervisor Mike Beyer. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Sheriff, Todd Skarban, was also admitted into closed session.
13.	Return to Open Session: The Committee shall return to open session to conduct legal business, as allowed by Wisconsin Statute Sec. 19.85(2).
Motion by Gooding/Christenson to enter back into open session at 11:12 a.m.  The motion was voted on and carried.
Motion by Gooding/Cole to set the Administrator’s salary at $136,165 beginning January 1, 2026 to be reviewed in six months on March 24, 2026. The motion was voted on and carried.
14.	Announcements/General Information (No action to be taken) – None.
15.	Next Meeting Date
Next regular meeting of the Executive Committee is scheduled for March 24, 2026.
16.	Adjournment 
Chair Sleeter declared the meeting adjourned at 11:54 a.m.

Rh/Date Posted: 10/28/2025