SHAWANO, WI- More fireworks erupted at the Shawano County Board meeting on Wednesday, as allegations of employee misconduct and an unsubstantiated claim about missing county funds stirred another tense debate among supervisors.
Supervisor Lowel Hammett reignited controversy when he publicly called for a closed session next month to address what he described as unresolved issues, including past and current employee misconduct, a notarized complaint already submitted to the executive committee, and a dramatic claim about a missing $1 million.
“I’m making an order of the day to have a closed session with the county board on July 23,” Hammett said. “We need to discuss employee matters, and determine where the missing million dollars is and who lost it.”
That claim drew an immediate rebuke from Chairman Tom Kautza, including a visibly stunned response: “What million dollars, Lowel?”
County Administrative Coordinator Jim Davel dismissed the claim while appearing on the WTCH Breakfast Club on Friday, stating, “Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, we just finished our largest audit of the year. Financially, the county is in an incredible position.” Davel added he was disappointed the matter was aired so publicly. “If he would’ve just come in, I think we could’ve nipped that in the bud pretty quick.”
Chairman Tom Kautza, also under fire from Hammett and others who have accused leadership of “sweeping the issue under the rug,” said the allegations of misconduct had already been addressed during a closed executive committee session and were deemed unfounded.
Supervisor Randy Mallmann spoke about that meeting. “I was looking to find out what more information, that supervisor Hammett had available, to prove different. And, in my opinion, by him not showing up, didn’t have that information to provide, wasn’t fair for me or any other members, to pursue from there.”
“If there’s any of the other board members were there that were there, am I making up the story,” Kautza asked. “If so, speak up. I’m not making up no stories. That was the decision of the executive committee that there’s nothing here. There’s no conspiracy theory going on. Nothing’s being swept under the rug,” he added.
“The issue is dead,” Kautza said, following a 19-5 board vote declining further action on the misconduct claims.
Kautza then addressed calls for his removal, stating, “I got voted in by this board, and I can get voted out by it. If someone wants to make a motion to have a vote on a new chairman at the next meeting, all it takes is a motion and a second.” No motion was made, and Kautza dismissed the issue as nonsense. “Now, lets get back to business and get something done.”
Hammett stood by his concerns, referencing both a 2022 letter of complaint and a recent statement in which an employee alleged verbal berating by a supervisor. He also cited a resignation letter from a former staff member who described the county’s work environment as “toxic.”
Hammett’s Allegations
Kautza’s Response
Supervisor Randy Mallmann’s Response To The Closed Session Meeting
Kautza Questioning If Board Wants to Remove Him
Davel’s Response To Missing Money on the WTCH Breakfast Club
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