County forest audit shows forest management remains strong

The Taylor County forestry and recreation committee convened on Friday, September 5, and heard that the department’s yearly audit was clean for the second year in a row.

“As it relates to other public property entities it’s basically unheard of,” said Taylor County forest administrator Lucas Williams. “Everything went really well.”

The auditor did have two suggestions for the department, one being an additional sign on the Ice Age Trail and the other, a culvert on Bear Ave. The culvert was placed incorrectly in 2022, resulting in a splash pool that could potentially create a washout. This would have had a negative impact on the audit had Williams not already noticed the culvert and created a plan for it’s repair prior to the audit.

The auditor was reportedly impressed by a demonstration done by a professor on tropical migrant birds at one of the audit sites, showing collaboration between the school district and the county, as well as a workshop area at the site which was well-received. In addition, the auditor spoke to Adam Czarnezki of Czarnezki Forest Products who was in the area harvesting at the time, with the auditor stating it was obvious there was clear communication between the county and its contractors.

The committee also discussed their 2026 budget. The forestry department will see a decrease in their revenue budget, going from an estimated $552,371 in 2025 to $539,300.36 in 2026, a difference of $13,070.64. While several revenue funds are seeing significant increases in 2026, the county forest crop revenue fund is estimated to drop from $300,000 in 2025 to $250,000 in 2026.

“A lot of this is grants,” said Williams. Williams stated that the operational budget will remain mostly the same with expense totals projected to be at $506,218.20 in 2026. The 2026 budget was approved unanimously.

In other business, the committee:

• Heard that timber sales have been picking up in the last month with a tract on Bear Ave., #695 managed by Wilson Forestry, partially complete with roughly 50 acres remaining. Tract 2-23, 74 acres off Fawn Ave. managed by Lakeland Forestry, is about a third of the way complete. Smola Enterprises finished their work on a 41 acre tract near Wilderness Ave. on September 3 before moving to Bear Ave. to work on a 58 acre tract there. Czarnezki Forest Products is managing 78 acres near the ski trails and have roughly 15 acres to complete. Williams reported that revenue from timber sales will be at $336,729.61 should everything continue to go as scheduled. His budget estimated $300,000 in revenue from timber sales in 2025.

• Learned that their 2026 annual work plan, which is a grant requirement, has been completed.

• Discussed the departments drone which has not seen much use as the operator must be certified. One board member questioned if the department should sell the drone as it’s not being used. Taylor County forestry assistant administrator, Alex Solawetz, stated that if the drone was purchased with grant money it may not be eligible to sell. “It was nice for the storm in 2019 because of the wind damage,” he said. The board requested that Williams and Solawetz determine what it would take for one of them to become certified in operating the drone.

• Heard that the Westboro Fire Department is requesting Secure Rural School (SRS) funds to assist with the purchase of a new Freightliner chassis. The total purchase price is $375,000, but the department has been able to bring that balance down to $125,000 through cash payments and fundraising. In addition, the Rib Lake Fire Department is looking to upgrade their 2004 utility terrain vehicle (UTV). SRS funds come from a grant created to support rural counties whose tax base are limited by the growing amount of federal land. The county has until September 30, 2026 to spend the $19,750.76 balance and voted unanimously to split the remainder evenly between the two fire departments, offering each $9,875.38. The forestry department is unsure if they’ll be able to get the grant again.

• Heard from Williams that there are 76.98 acres within the county forest block boundary for sale at roughly $215,000. Of that, 62 acres look to be harvestable timber. The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program offered through the DNR could reimburse the county for the purchase at half of the appraised amount. The Knowles-Nelson program will end on June 30, 2026. “If this Knowles-Nelson goes away, I don’t think there’s going to be any purchase of public property again,” said committee chairman Scott Mildbrand. “I think it’s worth looking into,” said committee member Bud Suckow. The committee asked Williams to gather more information.

• Agreed to look into replacing three culverts on the ski trails in Rib Lake.

• Heard a complaint that Williams received from a community member concerned about the mowing taking place on the Pine Line Trail. The resident is concerned about the cutting of milkweed plants which are the only plants eaten by monarch caterpillars as well as a nectar source for bees. The committee agreed to mow the trail only once next year to see if the milkweed can be spared.

• Heard that the Mink Creek bridge in Goodrich has been approved for replacement which should take place in the winter of 2026-2027.

C&G’S Mini Mart has been locally owned and operated since 1988. The company is proud to be part of the Rib Lake community and in August started a new Pump for a Cause program to serve as a way to give back to the local organizations that help make the community strong.

A portion of the proceeds from people using pump 4 which is specially designated and marked as the Pump for a Cause pump at the service station will go to help support the following organizations: Rib Lake Fire Department, Rib Lake Fish and Game, Rib Lake Lions Club, American Legion Post No. 274, and the Rib Lake High School.

(below) Earlier this year, Cindy Hanke (right) of C&G Mini Mart presented a check for $500 to Aimee Blomberg (left) of Rib Lake High School. The money was from the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance to enhance opportunities for students at Rib Lake High School.