Highlights from the Joint City/County Taskforce Meeting of March 3, 2026 from: https://www.co.langlade.wi.us/government/minutes_and_agendas/minutes/
Executive Summary: In its session on March 3, 2026, the committee formally voted to expand its operational scope beyond library matters to review all current and potential collaborative efforts between the City of Antigo and Langlade County. Additionally, the group advanced a directive to establish a joint Capital Improvement cost analysis for building maintenance and reviewed updates regarding the 2026 library budget contingencies and pending solar grant reimbursements.
Co-Chairman Glenn Bugni opened the discussion by noting that the committee had previously functioned as the Joint Library Taskforce, established primarily to improve communication and deliver consensus-based recommendations to the Antigo Public Library Board of Trustees. To maximize local governance efficiency, committee members recommended broadening their oversight to identify and review all existing and future city-county partnerships. Following this recommendation, the committee unanimously approved a motion to retitle the body as the "Joint City/County Taskforce," implementing a flexible membership structure that can adjust based on the specific municipal topics being addressed.
Library Director Toni Edge presented the 2026 Expenditure Budget, noting that a prior fiscal surplus was successfully redirected to fund new budget line items: a $164,000 Health Insurance Contingency and a $10,000 Dental Insurance Contingency. These reserve funds are designed to carry forward annually until expended, serving as a safeguard if the library's current vacancies—consisting of one part-time and two full-time positions—are filled and all staff elect insurance coverage. Due to these open positions, the library is projected to finish the fiscal year under budget.
Edge also noted that the City Administration Fee increased to $10,000 (up from $5,000 the previous year) and that $10,000 was set aside for County Maintenance Fees. This sparked an in-depth conversation regarding Operating Costs versus Common Area Maintenance (CAM) responsibilities, such as sidewalk snow removal contracted by the library versus parking lot plowing handled by the City. Corporation Counsel Robin Stowe and Mayor Thomas Bauknecht noted that determining long-term responsibility for these costs requires continuous discussion. To address this, the taskforce passed a motion directing the City and County to collaborate on a Capital Improvement cost analysis, with a proposal for both entities to assume building maintenance costs and subsequently amend the 2026 Antigo Public Library Budget.
The taskforce evaluated the ongoing financial returns of the library's completed solar panel project. Mayor Bauknecht reported that the full project grant has not yet been received to cover expenses, and he anticipated a funding shortfall even after all expected reimbursements arrive. Director Edge confirmed she is actively working with City Clerk/Treasurer Matucheski to secure the grant payouts as well as utility reimbursements from WPS. To ensure the infrastructure functions optimally, Langlade County Chairman Steve Maier requested that a formal solar assessment and staff training review be placed on the next meeting's agenda.
Several prospective shared topics were introduced for future committee agendas:
Co-Chairman Bugni requested a future discussion on Emergency Sirens, highlighting a City Council plan to install four sirens in the City of Antigo at an estimated cost of $148,000.
Corporation Counsel Stowe requested adding the Joint Operation of the Safety Building to the next agenda.
Stowe also raised inquiries regarding collaborative event facilities, cross-promotions, and marketing, and provided a brief update on Hope House and the management of the Opioid Settlement Fund.
Looking ahead, Stowe expressed a desire for further city-county collaboration on downtown revitalization, large capital improvement projects, and handling delinquent tax properties.
Note: Scheduled items regarding the Senior Center, EDC, and the alignment of strategic plans were not discussed during this session.
Approved Motions:
Unanimously approved the previous minutes from the August 21, 2025, Library Taskforce meeting.
Formally changed the committee's name to the Joint City/County Taskforce with flexible, topic-based membership.
Directed city and county representatives to create a joint Capital Improvement cost analysis to potentially absorb library building maintenance costs.
Future Agenda Items Slated:
Operational training and efficiency assessment for the library solar system.
Review of the $148,000 city emergency siren installation project.
Review of the Joint Operation of the Safety Building.
Expanded discussions on downtown revitalization, capital projects, and delinquent tax properties.
Concluding Sentence: The meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m., and the next meeting date is currently to be determined, with the location set for the Library Conference Room.
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