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Road with caption - Dunn County Looking to Improve More Highway Miles in 2025

 Dunn County Looking to Improve More Highway Miles in 2025

Dunn County officials are hoping to increase the number of county highway miles that are repaired by about a third in 2025 to bring down the average age of all county roads.  
 
“Historically, we have done approximately 10 miles of roadways each year,” said Dustin Binder, county Highway Commissioner.  “We want to increase that to 18 miles in 2025.” 
 
The reason for proposing the increase, Binder said, is “we want to try to get all roads within the projected lifespan of a road,” which is 20 to 25 years. 
 
Currently, the average age of a county highway is 34.6 years. If the County Board of Supervisors approves Binder’s budget request for 2025, the average age would be reduced to just under 23 years. 
 
The county worked on 8.18 miles in 2021; 10.68 miles in 2022; 13.49 miles in 2023; and 12.28 miles in 2024. The budget proposes 18.48 miles of road work in 2025. 
 
“Our road conditions are quite behind and need improvements,” Binder said of the need to expand the miles of road projects, adding that the county has about 425 miles of roads. 
 
The 2025 Highway Department budget calls for spending nearly $9 million on county highways, with $6.6 million coming from the county and the rest from the state Department of Transportation. 
 
Binder and other county officials are trying to educate taxpayers about the costs involved in county road and bridge construction.  According to a recent presentation Binder gave to the County Board, it costs approximately $150,000 to resurface a mile of roadway, while pavement replacement costs $250,000-$300,000 a mile.  Reconditioning costs $400,000 to $500,000 a mile, and total reconstruction costs $1 million or more a mile.
 
The lifespan for resurfaced road is eight to 10 years; pavement replacing, 20 years; reconditioning, 20 to 25 years; and reconstruction, 20 to 25 years. 
 
“We are trying to get more information out to the public about what we do and how much it costs,” Binder said.  “We need the public to understand where their tax dollars go for highway projects.” 
 
The highest profile projects planned for 2025 are a reconstruction project on Highway D from 420th St. to Highway K in Irvington, and a reconstruction project on Highway D from Highway 25 to 816th Avenue in Tainter.   
 
The projects include making safety improvements, storm sewer, and adding curb and gutter. The total cost of both projects is about $4.2 million, with the county paying $1.8 million. 
 
Other projects being planned include Highway G from BB to D; Highway J from the Menomonie city limits to 410th Avenue; Highway C from Z to D; Highway S from N to Highway 170; Highway BB from Highway 25 to 12; and Highway G from D to 25. Three bridge projects also are planned.  
 
Concerning 2024 projects, Binder said work on the major Highway B project overall has gone well, is nearing total completion and is anticipated to come in under budget.  The Highway B project was two separate projects: from state Highway 12/29 to I-94 and from I-94 to Packer Drive. The estimated cost of the combined project was more than $10 million, with state and federal funds picking up the bulk of the expenses.     
 
“The overall project costs were less than what we anticipated, which is good news for budgetary purposes,” Binder said.  
 
The County Board will vote on the 2025 county budget, including the Highway Department, Nov. 12.  
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 Merged United Way organization brings ‘Day of Caring’ back to Dunn, Pepin Counties

The merger of two United Way organizations in western Wisconsin means the popular Day of Caring is returning to Dunn County, and volunteers and projects are needed to make it successful. 

“We are so happy the United Way Day of Caring is coming back to Dunn County,” said Jenalee Nutter, Dunn County Human Resources Director who is working to sign up employees for the event.  “People really missed this, and bringing it back will be great for the community.”  

The event is an annual day of action connecting teams of corporate and government volunteers with nonprofits from across Dunn and Pepin counties. Volunteer teams complete half-day projects at local nonprofits.  

In July, United Way St. Croix Valley merged with the Dunn County United Way to form United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys, encompassing the counties of Burnett, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk and St. Croix.   

Announcing the return of the Day of Caring in Dunn and Pepin on Oct. 10 was one of the first major initiatives of the merged organization, said Steven McCarthy, the group’s Executive Director.   

“Prior to 2021, it had been a long-time tradition,” McCarthy said.  “That’s why it is in people’s minds, and it’s why we are getting back to it.”  

The last normal Day of Caring in Dunn County was in 2021; the Dunn County United Way held a quasi Day of Caring in 2022 that extended from Aug. 17-Sept. 30 to help move the group’s donation center.  

Sarah Weiske, United Way Director of Development, said the group revived the Day of Caring in Dunn and Pepin counties to demonstrate the return and renewed strength of the United Way in those counties. She added that this event would help determine whether it could be a sustainable model to replicate in other counties served by the organization.  

Weiske emphasized that the success of the event depends on the involvement of volunteers and organizations in those counties. “We are actively seeking event sponsors, project ideas, and teams to participate,” she said.  

For details about the inaugural Day of Caring, including how to become a sponsor, register a team, or submit a project, visit https://www.uwvalleys.org/dayofcaring 

All nonprofit organizations -- including agencies, service clubs, schools, local governments and community organizations -- can submit project proposals.  Projects have included yardwork, painting, landscaping, deep cleaning, disseminating flyers, sorting and straightening items, furniture assembly, and clerical or administrative tasks.  

The deadline for submitting project proposals and signing up as a volunteer is Oct. 4. Questions can be submitted to givehope@uwvalleys.org.  

Nutter said she is working within Dunn County government to sign up teams of volunteers. Interest has been high, she added.  

“You get out of a normal day at the office and get to do some good for the community,” Nutter said.  

The organization also is looking for financial sponsors to cover expenses.  More information on sponsorships is available at the Day of Caring web site or by emailing sarah.weiske@uwvalleys.org.

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 Dunn, Pepin Counties work with Xcel Energy to purchase part of Chippewa River State Trail

Dunn and Pepin counties are working with a conservation organization to acquire a 6.5-mile section of the Chippewa River State Trail currently owned by Xcel Energy.
 
“This is an exceptional stretch of this popular trail, and we have a unique opportunity to acquire it for a reasonable price,” said Chase Cummings, Dunn County Conservationist.
 
The Dunn County Board of Supervisors in June approved a memorandum of understanding, allowing the county to work with Pepin County and Landmark Conservancy to secure a grant that would enable the purchase of the 6.5 miles of the Chippewa River State Trail owned by Xcel Energy in both counties. Pepin County also has approved the MOU.
 
According to Sarah Schwartz, Siting and Land Rights Manager for Xcel Energy, the land, about 100 total acres, is part of a former rail corridor that runs from Trevino, through the city of Durand, and along the former Tyrone property in Dunn County.
 
The property “has been under lease by Pepin County since 1999 for the recreational trail,” Schwartz said, and the utility has determined “that these lands are not needed for Company operations,” so the Board of Directors approved the sale.
 
“We have a strong history in protecting lands and providing recreational opportunities for the public,” Schwartz added.
 
“The trail is important for Pepin County because it brings bike riders and hikers to our county,” said Maria Nelson, Pepin County Zoning Administrator. The portion of the trail in Pepin County is paved and “provides high quality recreation for local residents,” she added.
 
According to Xcel Energy, there is about 62 acres for sale in Pepin County and about 38 in Dunn County. Nelson said the county long wanted the land but couldn’t afford it. That’s where the non-profit Menomonie-based group Landmark Conservancy comes in.
 
Rick Remington, the group’s Executive Director, said it has submitted an application to the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, administered by the state Department of Natural Resources, to assist in obtaining the property.
 
“Should we be successful in acquiring the bike trail from the seller,” he said, “we plan to convey each part of the trail corridor to Dunn and Pepin Counties respectively.”
 
“Pepin County has been interested in acquiring the trail within the county limits but has never had the funding to be able to do so,” Schwartz said. “Having Landmark step in is a win-win for all.”
 
According to the resolution the Dunn County Board of Supervisors approved, the Knowles-Nelson grant would pay for about 50 percent of the appraised value of the land, which is thought to be worth about $4,000 an acre. In addition, Xcel Energy would be willing to sell the property for half of the appraised value, the resolution said.
 
Cummings said Xcel Energy has been working cooperatively with the two counties “to keep this trail publicly accessible’’ by being "willing to entertain a reduced purchase price based on an expected appraisal. So far, there has been consistent support for this effort.”
Schwartz said that in the past, Xcel Energy “has divested itself of thousands of acres in Dunn and Buffalo counties to groups like Landmark Conservancy and the Wisconsin DNR, ensuring these lands will be protected in perpetuity.”
 
“Going forward, we’ll continue to conduct the legal, title and financial due diligence in cooperation with DNR grant administrators, Pepin and Dunn Counties, and Xcel Energy,” Remington added.
 
If the effort succeeds to obtain the trail, Cummings said, the two counties would have to work out an agreement to maintain it. Pepin has been maintaining the trail, and it makes sense for Dunn County to contract with Pepin County for future maintenance, he added.
Cummings concluded: “It is important to recognize the value partnerships bring to projects like this. Without these positive partnerships, projects like this would be much more difficult or potentially impossible.”
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 Dunn County approves 'accessory dwelling unit' plan to address lack of housing

Property owners in Dunn County now can add a second dwelling unit on their property, an action aimed at creating more housing in the county.
 
“We have heard loud and clear that our citizens want more and varied housing options,” said Kristin Korpela, Dunn County Manager. “The County Board of Supervisors has taken decisive action on an innovative plan to allow more types of alternative housing units in the county.”
 
The board at the end of July amended its Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to allow so-called Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on the same property as single-family homes.
 
“These ADUs can take a number of forms,” said Anne Wodarczyk, county Zoning Administrator, who gave a presentation to the County Board before its July 31 vote. “These can include converted garages, basement apartments, tiny home, cottages, or other dwellings.”
County officials said a 2023 housing study showed respondents favored ADUs, along with a strong desire for more housing overall. In particular, the housing study showed the need for transitional housing and ways to support “aging in place.”
 
Wodarczyk said allowing ADUs in Dunn County gives homeowners the flexibility they need “to create additional smaller, independent living spaces to support various family structures and needs.”
 
ADUs allow homeowners to use land they already have and that already is designated for housing, which “prevents sprawl of housing developments into agricultural areas,” she said.
 
The County Board adopted conditions that ADUs will have to meet:
- No more than one ADU per lot or parcel.
- ADUs must be smaller than the main home, can’t exceed 1,200 square feet and must be within 300 feet of the main home.
- Wastewater must be handled through a public sanitation system or a private on-site wastewater system.
- The property owner must sign a deed restriction that the property can’t be converted to a condominium, and ADUs can’t be sold separately.
- ADUs must comply with the uniform dwelling code and meet setback requirements.
- ADUs can take many forms, officials said, including detached units placed in a backyard, those that share a wall with the main house or those that are a converted garage or basement.
 
Korpela said the county tried to strike a balance between increasing the variety of housing available to residents while maintaining the character of single-family homes.
 
“The board and staff have worked on this change for a long time,” she said. “We take the need to increase our housing options very seriously.”
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