Vilas County will have a new county clerk May 3 after current clerk Dave Alleman resigns. The county board approved Kimberly Olkowski, a ten year employee in the clerk’s office, to be sworn in May 2 as county clerk and county administrator coordinator at their regular meeting.
Olkowski will fill out the unexpired term of Alleman whose term would end on December 31, 2024.
The board noted it is important to have an experienced and qualified individual to carry forward the statutory duties assigned to the office of Vilas County clerk.
Alleman has been county clerk for the past 14 years having replaced Jim Sanborn. It is an elected position with a four-year term.
Wolf resolution rejected
For the second time in March, a recommended statewide timber wolf population of 350 was rejected in Vilas County. The county forestry rejected it March 1 on a 4-1 vote.
Supervisor Holly Tomlanovich, who cast the only vote in favor March 1, exercised her supervisor authority to introduce a resolution as a supervisor. The resolution was signed by her along with supervisor Jay Verhulst.
The resolution called for recommending a wolf population of 350 or less in the next Wisconsin Wolf Management Plan which was adopted 23 years ago in 1999 and revised in 2007.
There were 36 counties that supported that number, including Oneida County.
Tomlanovich said the DNR is working on a new management plan and is expected to release that proposed plan for public comment later this year.
“DNR is still working on a plan and we’ve had three depredations in the Phelps area,” she said.
The three day wolf hunt in February, 2021 killed just over 200 wolves, none in Vilas County.
Supervisor Mike MacKenzie, a former DNR warden, spoke against the resolution.
“The forestry committee voted this down,” Mackenzie said. “They started at 500 to 700 then ended up at 350 for management. In my experience over 90% of wolf sightings are coyotes. Let’s wait to see what the new plan will be.”
Supervisor Marvin Anderson felt “we have more issues with bears (killing deer) that wolves” with some estimates that about 25,000 black bear kill some 45,000 deer, mostly fawns, during June, July and August.
Supervisor Tom Maulson also spoke against killing wolves.
“Wolves are part of our life as a native person. Lac du Flambeau tribe does not allow wolf killing,” said Maulson.
The resolution supporting 350 wolves was defeated on a 9-9 tie vote.
Salary increases
The board approved increasing salary of the Sheriff 8.3% the first year of the four-year term and 3.3% each year of the next three ending in 2026 at $109,273.
Clerk of Circuit Court increase will be 10% the first year of the four-year term and 3% each of the next three years ending at 75,945 in 2026.
The four-year salary increases for county clerk, treasure, register of deeds, and surveyor were 3% the first two years and 2% the last two years. Salaries will be $67,030 at the end of the tern, 2024, except for surveyor at $13,785.
Other actions
In other actions the board approved sale of seven tax delinquent lands, two each in Arbor Vitae and Winchester and one each in Conover, Phelps, and St. Germain.
It also approved hiring Cedar Corporation to provide reconstruction engineering, design, and grant application services for 7.4 miles of Highway G from Highway 45 west to Aspen Lane for $93,846.
The board approved taking $150,848 from the general fund for additional equipment for remolding the circuit court hearing room on the 2nd floor of the new addition.
And it approved the 15-year county forest management plan.
