Any concerns with the city of Shawano and Shawano County officials not communicating about the county’s proposed $121 building project were put to rest at the May 27 county board meeting.
“The city’s positions on your project is, ‘We don’t have a position on your project,’” Mayor Bruce Milavitz told supervisors. “Our position is that we’re here to help in any way we can. We’re excited as the building progresses, and we’re going to be there to support any way that you feel necessary that the city should do.”
For the past six weeks or so, several supervisors and county residents have questioned whether the city supports the county project, despite assurances from county leaders and The Samuels Group, its consultant on the budding project. As part of a coordinated effort to spur talks, three residents even wrote letters to the board more and better communication.
In a May 21 letter to county officials and The Samuels Group, city administrator Eddie Sheppard noted the city’s involvement with The Samuels Group, Venture Architects and county staff.
“We feel like we have adequately been brought in on the items that pertain to the city,” he wrote. “Our staff is working with them as they review the utility relocation, right of way abandonment and overall site plan requirements and the dialogue is ongoing.”
It appears the only controversy was some concern by city officials regarding “inaccurate statements” attributed to them by county board members, county staff or the county’s consultants.
In that May 13 letter, Milavitz and Sheppard said they would address those concerns in private.
The county continues making plans for a $121 million project the will include a new courthouse, 150-bed jail and auxiliary services for the jail, all to be located west of the current courthouse and sheriff’s department.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
