SHAWANO, WI- Shawano County Board Chairman Tom Kautza is actively seeking business representatives to serve on an ad hoc building committee tasked with assessing the county’s infrastructure needs.
During the Shawano County Executive Committee meeting on July 17, Kautza announced that while he has secured two representatives from the central part of the county, he still needs someone from the western area. Although he initially considered a business owner from the eastern part of the county, he later discovered that the individual resides in Brown County and is therefore ineligible.
Greg Strayer of Bonduel and Sam Crawford of Shawano have committed to serving, and John Jacobs Jr. of Green Valley Dairy was also contacted. However, Supervisor Kathy Luebke noted that Jacobs resides in De Pere, making him ineligible.
Kautza confirmed that if Jacobs is not a county resident, he cannot serve, and suggested that Jacobs might have a manager or another eligible resident who could participate.
Supervisors Matt Pleshek and Randy Mallmann have been appointed to the committee, which will evaluate county buildings, including the courthouse, jail, sheriff’s department, and library, to recommend repairs, updates, or new constructions. Pleshek, the city engineer for Shawano, will provide insights into local infrastructure, while Mallmann, general manager of Dearco Distributors, will offer a business perspective.
Department heads Grant Bystol (highway department), Scott Frank (land conservation department), Clerk of Courts Ethan Schmidt, and Chief Deputy Ty Raddant will also serve on the committee. Kautza highlighted that Bystol and Frank have no direct interest in the project and are considered impartial, while Schmidt and Raddant will represent their respective departments.
The ad hoc committee will meet four times to conduct an introductory meeting, tour county facilities, hold a Q&A session, and vote on a recommendation. The committee’s findings will be forwarded to a home committee for further action.
Accurate cost estimates for repairs and updates are needed, as noted by Steve Dreher, maintenance department manager, who cited discrepancies in previous estimates.
Kautza concluded by stressing that the committee’s focus is on objectively assessing current needs versus wants, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the county’s infrastructure.
For further information or to suggest a business representative, please contact the Shawano County Board.
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