AUTHORIZING SAUK COUNTY HIGHWAY TO PROVIDE DEMOLITION, HAULING AND/OR REMOVAL OF STRUCTURES/MATERIALS AND TO REGRADE AND SEED DISTURBED AREAS LOCATED AT THE SAUK COUNTY FARM

Background: Sauk County owns approximately 259 acres of tillable land, known as the Sauk County Farm in Sections 27, 28, 33, and 34, town of Reedsburg, located adjacent to the former Sauk County Health Care Center. The Sauk County Farm is utilized as a demonstration site to show case new and innovative conservation practices that prevent soil erosion and reduce agricultural runoff to protect groundwater and surface water resources.  In May of 2017, several buildings were destroyed by storm damage at the Sauk County Farm and an insurance claim was filed.   In October of 2017, the Department initiated a bid request to provide for the demolition, hauling and recycling services of structures/materials located at the Sauk County Farm, as well as regrading and seeding of disturbed areas.   Additional services that required consideration included site analysis, environmental impacts and knowledge of clean fill standards.   The Department did not receive any responsive bids that met the criteria as specified in the bid packet.   In November of 2017, the Sauk County Highway Commissioner met with the Conservation, Planning and Zoning Committee and determined that the work that was required in the original bid request could be fulfilled by the Sauk County Highway Department for reasonable costs, consistent with the mission of the Department and the continued conservation efforts at the Sauk County Farm.  Estimated costs to burn any non-painted wood, dispose of any other trash or materials at the dump, burial of any concrete, and grading/seeding of the areas is estimated at $33,000.