Fair Park raises new swine barn

JEFFERSON — The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors went hog wild Tuesday, giving the go-ahead to build an expanded swine barn and animal wash rack at Jefferson County Fair Park.

The board unanimously approved hiring Bos Design Buildings/Cleary Building Corporation for a net cost of $83,417. The contract includes a marketing package offset in the amount of $5,000.

The new barn will be approximately 40-by-120 feet and include an enclosed wash rack area and expanded space for additional swine pens.

Funding for the 2019 Fair Park budget includes $75,000 for the project. The remaining $8,147 will be paid through fundraising efforts.

In 2018, Gallitz Grading removed the aging extension of the swine barn that seldom saw use beyond the five days of the county fair. For many years, the structure traditionally held the pigs being shown by members of the Fort Atkinson FFA during the fair.

Fair Park officials indicated that the new structure would be similar to the other Cleary Building on the fairgrounds, with the overhead doors allowing air flow and other uses.

Also on Tuesday night, the county board welcomed two newly appointed supervisors to the board: Jeff Johns of the Town of Farmington and Joan Fitzgerald of Fort Atkinson.

Johns will be taking over Supervisory District 11. The district includes the Town of Aztalan Ward 2, Town of Farmington Wards 1 and 2, and Town of Concord Ward 2.

The District 11 seat formerly was held by longtime Supervisor Donald Reese, who passed away in December 2018. Additionally, Johns was appointed to take Reese’s positions on the Solid Waste/Air Quality Committee and the Parks Committee.

Fitzgerald will be representing Supervisory District 26 seat, which consist of Wards 1 and 2 in the City of Fort Atkinson.

She is replacing former Supervisor Gregg Patrick, who officially resigned Jan. 22 because he moved out of the district. Patrick formerly was recognized for his board service from 2015 to January 2019.

“The service of Supervisor Patrick was most welcome,” board Chairperson Jim Schroeder said. “Over the years, Supervisor Patrick and his wife, Kim, served the Fort Atkinson community in many ways.”

The Patricks are moving to northern Wisconsin and both resigned from their respective elected positions. Kim Patrick has been serving as the president of the School District of Fort Atkinson Board of Education.

Schroeder said Gregg Patrick’s departure from the county board was not only a loss to the board, but a loss to the Fort Atkinson community.

Both Johns and Fitzgerald were sworn into office by County Clerk Barb Frank at the start of Tuesday’s board meeting. They will serve the unexpired terms of Reese and Patrick, which end in April 2020. They will be able, if they choose, to run for their respective seats in the 2020 spring election, along with any other candidate that qualifies to run during that election season.

Also, Schroeder appointed himself to the county’s Buildings and Grounds Committee and the Human Resources Committee.

In other unrelated matters regarding personnel, the board formally accepted the resignation of County Clerk Frank, who is retiring effective on April 3.

She first began her service to Jefferson County in 1981 as an employee of the Jefferson County Human Services Department.

Frank moved to a staff position in the county clerk’s office in 1983, working with the late County Clerk Barb Geyer.

After learning all the different roles — except payroll — Frank assumed the position of chief deputy county clerk in 1993.

Upon Geyer’s death in 1997, the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors unanimously appointed Frank to fill the position, and she has been re-elected to it ever since.

On Tuesday, the board officially appointed Audrey McGraw to serve the remainder of Frank’s term, which expires in 2021. The county clerk position would be up for election in November 2020.

McGraw has served as chief deputy clerk since September 2000.

Frank worked with Jefferson County Administrator Ben Wehmeier and board Chairperson Schroeder on the recommendation to appoint McGraw to the position.

In addition, Clerk of Court Carla Robinson was recognized for her years of service. She did not seek re-election in the November 2018 election after 12 years of service as clerk and 27 years of service to the county.

Prior to being elected clerk of courts in 2007, she worked in the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office from 1992-2006.

Lastly, Leigh Froelich stepped down from the Jefferson County Library Board, having completed her third term, which is the maximum under the board’s policies. Barbara R. Beaver of Lake Mills was appointed to fill Froelich’s unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2021.