Villages and Townships

3-22-2020

 

Sauk Prairie Police Department

The police department is doing its due diligence to ensure the health and safety of the public and department staff.  The police department is encouraging citizens to call the dispatch center at (608) 355-4495 24/7 to speak to an officer over the phone for police related matters. The police department will respond to calls involving life safety, crimes in progress and emergency situations.  If you are in need of vehicle registration please use the DOT online services.  The police department is suspending fingerprinting for licensing regulations’ and certifications.  The police department’s business office is open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (M-F), the business office number is (608) 643-2427.

 

Dane County Sheriff's Department, including Black Earth and Mazomanie PD

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office wants to make the public aware of some temporary changes to our operations to help minimize the risks of COVID-19 to the public, our employees and inmates in the Dane County Jail.  Please understand this is an ever-changing situation and we will continue to update the public on adjustments as they occur.  As always, public safety is our highest priority.

On Friday, March 13th, the Sheriff’s Office suspended all visitation and in-jail programming. In addition, inmates with work release are not allowed to leave for work or go to volunteer sites in the community.  These suspensions will be in place until at least April 1st. Other adjustments to jail operations include:

• All Probation and Parole hearings are being conducted via video conferencing

• Many court hearings, including initial appearances, are being conducted via video conferencing

• Extra cleaning/disinfecting within cells, pods and common areas

• Jail medical staff are carefully screening anyone being booked into the jail

• Any current inmate showing signs of illness is being quarantined in a segregation wing and monitored by jail medical staff

Other operational suspensions within the Dane County Sheriff’s Office include:

• Foreclosure sales

• Release of evidence

• DNA collection

• Patrol ride-alongs

The Sheriff’s Office would also ask that if business can be done online or over the telephone, rather than in-person, please do so.  This may include records requests, which can be done online at https://danesheriff.com/Divisions/Support-Services/records  Patrol deputies may be taking more complaints by telephone. This may include a screening call to the complainant to determine if a deputy needs to respond in person. Please know that this only applies to non-emergency calls for service.  For the latest updates on Sheriff’s Office operations, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, or download the free Dane County Sheriff’s Office app by searching Dane Sheriff on the App Store or Google Play. We will continue to provide updates on any further changes, as well as when these services are reinstated.

 

Village of Prairie du Sac

The Village of Prairie du Sac has declared a state of emergency.

The Village of Prairie du Sac is continuing to monitor the status of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. At this point, we are encouraging the community to take the following measures to reduce exposure for themselves and village staff.

VILLAGE HALL CLOSURE:

Village Hall is closed, except for absentee voting/registration for April 7th election. However, mailed ballots and on-line registration is encouraged (see below). Village Hall staff will remain working, either at Village Hall or remotely. You can contact Village Hall at 608-643-2421 or pdsutilities@wppienergy.org. Appointments may be accepted by contacting the applicable department, however face-to-face meetings are discouraged.

GENERAL INQUIRIES:

Please call or email rather than visit at 608-643-2421 or pdsutilities@wppienergy.org.  We likely can complete your request or transaction without in-person interactions.  To report street or utility issues, please use the "Report a Problem" found in the top menu of the village's website, www.prairiedusac.net.

UTILITY PAYMENTS:

Please make utility payments by U.S. Mail, one of our online methods, or use our drop box.  For online options, visit www.prairiedusac.net and click on “Utility Account Management” on the top menu.  The village’s drop box is located outside the entrance to Village Hall 24/7.

BUILDING PERMITS:

If possible, permit applications should be mailed, e-mailed, or placed in the drop box at village hall.  If your application packet is too large to fit in the drop box, please call 608-643-2421 to make arrangements.  For building permit questions, please contact the building inspector, Pete Giese, by calling 608-697-7778 or click here.

VILLAGE GOVERNMENT MEETINGS:

All non-essential Village of Prairie du Sac committee and commission meetings will be cancelled indefinitely immediately.  The Village Board’s regular meeting on 3/24/2020 has been cancelled.  The next regularly scheduled Village Board meeting is set for 4/14/2020 at 7 PM at Village Hall.  Staff will be severely limiting group contact for meetings and conferences.

VOTING:

April 7, 2020, Spring Election and Presidential Preference Vote

Requesting a Ballot by Mail:  To request a ballot be mailed to you at home please visit the MyVote website (https://myvote.wi.gov).  You may be required to submit photo identification with your application. Please visit the Bring it to the Ballot (https://bringit.wi.gov/) website for information on accepted photo identification. The deadline for requesting a ballot by mail is 5:00 p.m. on April 2, 2020.

Registering to Vote: To register to vote online, your address on your driver’s license or identification card must be current. You can change your address online with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.  Please allow 24 hours after you change your address with the Department of Transportation before registering to vote online.  You can also print your application from this site and mail it to the clerk’s office.  Proof of residence is required with your mailed application.  The deadline to register to vote online or by mail is March 18, 2020.  After this date, you must appear in person. 

RUTH CULVER COMMUNITY LIBRARY CLOSURE:

Ruth Culver Community Library will be closed starting Monday, March 16, at 8:00 pm.  At this time, we will tentatively plan to re-open when Sauk Prairie School District re-opens.  This will be subject to change based on recommendations from local health officials. Please watch our website (https://www.pdslibrary.org/).

SAUK PRAIRIE POLICE DEPARTMENT PROGRAM CHANGES:

The police department is doing its due diligence to ensure the health and safety of the public and department staff.  The police department is encouraging citizens to call the dispatch center at (608) 355-4495 24/7 to speak to an officer over the phone for police related matters. The police department will respond to calls involving life safety, crimes in progress and emergency situations.  If you are in need of vehicle registration please use the DOT online services.  The police department is suspending fingerprinting for licensing regulations’ and certifications.  The police department’s business office is open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (M-F), the business office number is (608) 643-2427.

PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES SHOP:

The Public Works/Utilities shop is closed to the public.  Staff will still be providing most services such as refuse pickup.

PRAIRIE DU SAC FIRE STATION:

The Fire Station is closed to the public.  The Fire Department will still be responding to calls, but needs the public’s help to keep firefighters healthy.  If you call for assistance, please notify dispatch if you or anyone in the home or building is having any signs or symptoms such as body temperature > 100.0, fever, chills, difficulty breathing, persistent cough, or any other respiratory problems.

VILLAGE PUBLIC PARKS:

Use of park facilities and equipment is discouraged, and may be considered for closure.

SAUK PRAIRIE TRANSIT (TAXI):

The taxi is doubling its disinfectants efforts and adapting their procedures to better respond to COVID-19.  Drivers are instructed to spray down cab surfaces between each customer.  This may result in some service delays.  Drivers are instructed to stay home if they are ill.  This might also add to service delays.

SAUK PRAIRIE MUNICIPAL COURT:

Until May 20, 2020, or upon further order of the Court, whenever possible, any hearing or appearance or court business that would be transacted in person will be handled by telephone, electronic or audiovisual means.  Further, the Court will liberally allow for appropriate activity to be handled in writing.  Anyone who appears in the courtroom or at the court window may be directed to alternative methods of appearing or transacting business.  Call 608-643-2427 with questions or concerns.

 

Village of Sauk City

Sauk City has declared a state of emergency.

The Village of Sauk City is continuing to monitor the status of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. At this point, we are encouraging the community to take the following measures to reduce exposure for themselves and village staff.

VILLAGE HALL CLOSURE:

Village Hall is closed, except for absentee voting/registration for the April 7th election. However, mailed ballots and on-line registration is encouraged (see below). Village Hall staff will remain working, either at Village Hall or remotely. You can contact Village Hall at 608-643-3932 or village@saukcity.net. Appointments may be accepted by contacting the applicable department, however face-to-face meetings are discouraged.

GENERAL INQUIRIES:

Please call 608-643-3932 or email village@saukcity.net rather than visit.  We likely can complete your request or transaction without in-person interactions.  To report street or utility issues, please use the "Report a Problem" found in the top menu of the village's website, www.saukcity.net .

UTILITY PAYMENTS:

Please make utility payments by U.S. Mail, one of our online methods, or use our drop box.  For online options, visit www.saukcity.net and click on “Make Utility Payment” on the top menu.  The village’s drop box is permanently located outside the entrance of Village Hall. No cash payments please.

BUILDING PERMITS:

If possible, permit applications should be mailed, e-mailed, or placed in the drop box at village hall.  If your application packet is too large to fit in the drop box, please call 608-643-3932 to make arrangements.  For building permit questions, please contact the residential building inspector, Henry Netzinger, by calling 608-649-8109 or the commercial building inspector, Mike Wipperfurth, by calling 608-643-6757.

VILLAGE GOVERNMENT MEETINGS:

All non-essential Village of Sauk City committee and commission meetings will be cancelled indefinitely immediately.  The Village Board’s regular meeting on 3/31/2020 has been cancelled.  The next regularly scheduled Village Board meeting is set for 4/14/2020 at 7 PM at Village Hall but may be cancelled.  Staff will be severely limiting group contact for meetings and conferences.

VOTING:

April 7, 2020, Spring Election and Presidential Preference Vote

Requesting a Ballot by Mail:  To request a ballot be mailed to you at home please visit the MyVote website (https://myvote.wi.gov).  You may be required to submit photo identification with your application. Please visit the Bring it to the Ballot (https://bringit.wi.gov/) website for information on accepted photo identification. The deadline for requesting a ballot by mail is 5:00 p.m. on April 2, 2020.

Registering to Vote: To register to vote online, your address on your driver’s license or identification card must be current. You can change your address online with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.  Please allow 24 hours after you change your address with the Department of Transportation before registering to vote online.  You can also print your application from this site and mail it to the clerk’s office.  Proof of residence is required with your mailed application.  The deadline to register to vote online or by mail is March 18, 2020.  After this date, you must appear in person. 

SAUK CITY LIBRARY CLOSURE:

Sauk City Library will be closed starting Monday, March 17, at 8:00 am.  At this time, we will tentatively plan to re-open when Sauk Prairie School District re-opens.  This will be subject to change based on recommendations from local health officials. Please watch our website (https://www.saukcitylibrary.org) or email info@saukcitylibrary.org .

PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES SHOP:

The Public Works/Utilities shop is closed to the public. 

VILLAGE PUBLIC PARKS:

Use of park facilities and equipment is discouraged, and may be considered for closure.

SAUK PRAIRIE TRANSIT (TAXI):

The taxi is doubling its disinfectants efforts and adapting their procedures to better respond to COVID-19.  Drivers are instructed to spray down cab surfaces between each customer.  This may result in some service delays.  Drivers are instructed to stay home if they are ill.  This might also add to service delays.

SAUK PRAIRIE MUNICIPAL COURT:

Until May 20, 2020, or upon further order of the Court, whenever possible, any hearing or appearance or court business that would be transacted in person will be handled by telephone, electronic or audiovisual means.  Further, the Court will liberally allow for appropriate activity to be handled in writing.  Anyone who appears in the courtroom or at the court window may be directed to alternative methods of appearing or transacting business.  Call 608-643-2427 with questions or concerns.

 

Village of Mazomanie

The Mazomanie Village Office is closed to the public until further notice, however deputy clerk Tara Rossler is still working. She can be reached at: 608-795-2100 ext 2. Please use the night drop or mail. Essential business, please make an appointment.

 

Mazomanie Free Library

Closed until further notice.

 

Village of Black Earth

The Village of Black Earth will be limiting in person visits as of Monday, March 23.  We ask that anyone requiring an in person visit contact us to arrange a time during normal business hours that will be maintained ßstill be conducted by calling first to arrange a time to stop in and may be done by curbside voting.

 

Black Earth Community Library

According to director Carolyn Shaffer:

"In light of the recent closing of the Wisconsin Heights School District, effective immediately, the Black Earth Public Library will also suspend operations through April 5th. Although we take our role as a community gathering place very seriously, we must observe the best health and safety practices for all of our community members and staff. In order to be responsive to state-wide and community-wide measures for prevention of spreading COVID-19 disease, we also must observe a closure for the duration of the school closures.

The Black Earth Public Library board of trustees will be considering some possible limited service models at their Tuesday, March 17th, board meeting. We are closely following closures of other Dane county libraries as well as the emerging changes to inter-library delivery services through the South Central Library System to inform these decisions. We are also looking into ways to supplement WiFi/Internet access to any telecommuting parents or Wisconsin Heights students that are having difficulty easily accessing these services from home to continue their studies or work. Any updates will follow this meeting.

Regardless of possible updated library service hours, all children's programming has been suspended, as well as all adult programs through April 5, EXCEPT "Healing Through Storytelling," which will take place as scheduled on March 21 at 11:00 a.m.

If you have any concerns or questions before the library reopens, please contact Carolyn Shaffer, Library Director, at crshaffer@blackearthlibrary.org or 608-767-4905. Email will be responded to more quickly than voicemail."

 

Sauk County

The Sauk County Board of Supervisors has declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This is to ensure Sauk County is able to secure resources from the state and federal governments, and to make our local response efforts more efficient and effective during this ever-changing outbreak.

In a continued effort to limit the spread of Coronavirus the Sauk County Courthouse, West Square building and Reedsburg Human Services building will have limited access to the public starting Monday March 23, 2020. The public will be able to enter the building for essential services only after completing a fever screening process at the main entry door. 

The public is encouraged to call the department they need before coming to see what services are being offered. Please see this link for department contact information https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/directory or you can call 608-355-3200 for department numbers.

Visitors can only access the buildings from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be no entrance allowed for visitors after 4:30 p.m. All evening / weekend room reservations are cancelled until further notice.

Visitors will only be allowed to enter through the following entrances:

Baraboo

Courthouse Broadway Street entrance

West Square parking lot entrance

Reedsburg

Reedsburg Human Services 6^th Street entrance

Testing and Prevention. If you have a fever or a cough, you should stay home and practice social distancing, including:

•        Limiting non-essential visitors

•        Staying at least 6 feet from other people, including family members whenever possible

If your symptoms get worse, or you have other risk factors, including: over the age of 60 or a chronic disease that suppresses your immune system, please call you healthcare provider so they can screen you to see if you should be tested. You MUST call your provider before you visit.

Due to a national shortage of COVID-19 laboratory testing materials, the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene and the Milwaukee Health Department Laboratory are limiting testing to the highest priority patients and health care workers.

Although both laboratories have significantly increased their capacity for COVID-19 testing, the number of samples being received exceeds daily capacity. Both laboratories will be testing high-priority samples from hospitalized patients and health care workers 7 days/week for the foreseeable future. Test requests that do not meet the criteria will be sent to other labs in the state and country for testing, and may be delayed.

With the increased number of COVID-19 cases reported nationally and identified community spread in Wisconsin, health care providers are urged to prioritize testing for hospitalized patients for whom timely diagnosis of COVID-19 is critical. Testing should be prioritized based on clinical criteria. There is no role for testing patients without symptoms.

“In an effort to maintain capacity and make better use limited of supplies, and because anyone travelling to a high risk area is already being asked to self-isolate for 14 days, we’re prioritizing hospitalized patients with symptoms of lower respiratory illness, healthcare workers with unexplained fever and lower respiratory symptoms, and residents who are sick and have other risk factors like chronic disease, a compromised immune system, or are over the age of 60,” said Tim Lawther, Sauk County Health Officer.

Testing is not currently recommended for people with mild upper respiratory symptoms, or those with mild illnesses for which they would not normally seek medical care. It is recommended that these individuals self-isolate at home until their symptoms improve.

People should follow simple steps to prevent illness and avoid exposure to this virus including:

•        Avoid social gatherings of 10 or more people (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors     in your home, and non-essential workers in your house)

•        Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water

•        Cover coughs and sneezes

•        Avoid touching your face

•        Stay home when sick

•        Stay away from people who are sick

Child Care Centers. Governor Evers has issued an emergency order to limit the size of child care centers to under 50 children at a time. Sauk County Public Health is working with local child care centers potentially affected by this order to ensure they are prioritizing the care for children of first responders and healthcare personnel. Some Centers have capacity to care for more children. Sauk County Public Health will be posting this information as soon as possible.

“Child Care Centers are a vital part of our community’s response to COVID-19,” says Tim Lawther, Sauk County Health Officer. “We depend on our first responders and healthcare personnel to care for us if we become infected with coronavirus. And in order for that to happen, we must depend on our child care centers to care for our children. I have been impressed with most area child care centers’ commitment to stay open,” says Lawther.

Public Gatherings. Governor Tony Evers has issued an emergency order prohibiting gatherings of 10 people or more to slow the spread of COVID-19. “We should all be thinking about how we can decrease close contacts and crowded environments while COVID-19 is spreading in the state,” said Tim Lawther, Sauk County Health Officer. “This includes avoiding public places and staying home as much as possible. If you cannot avoid public spaces, practice social distancing by staying six feet away from other people.”

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For the latest information, visit the CDC’s website (www.cdc.gov/COVID19), the DHS website (https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm), or the Sauk County Public Health website (https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/).

The Sauk County Clerk, Treasurer and Register of Deeds offices have established how they will handle their constitutional duties and serve the public while the county’s nonessential operations are affected by the COVID-19 emergency.

The Sauk County Board of Supervisors has declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Sauk County Public Health announced today that there is one (1) confirmed case of COVID-19 in Sauk County

As constitutional officers, the clerk, treasurer and register of deeds are required to continue to offer certain services in a limited fashion. Due to the high traffic experienced in these departments, the doors to these offices will be temporarily locked.  Staff is still available to assist over the phone or online.  We are constantly monitoring the situation and will re-evaluate these temporary procedures on April 2, 2020.

The temporary procedures now in place are as follows:

Clerk:

County Clerk Rebecca Evert’s office will be suspending the issuance of passports.  If necessary to obtain a marriage license, call to schedule an appointment.

The April 7th election is still on.  Please call or e-mail with any questions you may have.

To contact the office, please call 608-355-3286 or e-mail countyclerk@saukcountywi.gov.  Additional information can be found at https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/countyclerk

Treasurer:

County Treasurer Elizabeth A. Geoghegan is encouraging the public to pay taxes and request information through the mail, e-mail or by using electronic options available on the office’s website, at https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/treasurer

For those unable to use those methods, please contact the office to make an appointment.

The treasurer’s office is available to answer questions by phone at 608-355-3275 or by email at treasurer@saukcountywi.gov.

Register of Deeds:

Register of Deeds Brent Bailey’s office will continue to process vital records applications during the COVID-19 emergency specified as follows:

The office will not process records face to face at the counter while the building is open, but applications will be available outside the door. Customers may complete the application and submit it with ID and payment under the door.  Please allow 20 minutes for processing.

The process for copies of real estate documents and the submission of hand delivered recordings will be the same as vital records.

The register of deeds office is available to answer questions by phone at 608-355-3288 or by email at ROD@saukcountywi.gov.  You can find additional information at https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/registerofdeeds

 

Sauk County municipal clerks are looking poll workers.  Any member of the general public willing to assist, please contact your Municipal Clerk.  As long as you reside in Sauk County, you can be utilized at any polling place in Sauk County.

For municipal clerk contact information, contact the County Clerk’s Office at

(608)355-3286.  You may also find Municipal Clerk information on the Sauk County website, under the County Clerk Department, in the 2019-2020 Sauk county directory queue.