Bayfield County Board Meeting – Say no to cooperation between Enbridge and the Sherriff Deparment

Cooperative Agreements with Sherriff Departments
Enbridge is trying to establish Cooperative Agreements with the Sherriff Departments in Ashland, Bayfield, and Iron Counties. Ashland and Iron County both passed agreements in February. There’s an effort in Ashland to have a re-vote. Bayfield County is considering a modified version after voting no in February. There is a conflict of interest with teh Sheriff Departments serving to protect the Bad River Band and then having a cooperative agreement with Enbridge. The priority needs to be serving and building trust within our local communities, not protecting a Canadian company.
Ashland County Board Meetings: 9am on 3/24, 4/21
Bayfield County Board Meetings 6pm on 3/31, 4/28
Iron County Board Meetings: 6pm on 3/31, 4/28

See attached flier and this update post for more information.

Information: https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=10138&month=3&year=2026&day=31&calType=0
Agenda – https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03312026-3293 – https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/AgendaCenter/County-Board-of-Supervisors-1/?#_03312026-3293

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Highlights From Agenda :
Item 10. At the last Executive Committee meeting there was discussion regarding an agreement with Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) and Enbridge for the pipeline project reimbursement expenses. As additional public safety expenses may be incurred for protective equipment and response in Bayfield and Ashland Counties, Enbridge has established an escrow account administered by WCA to reimburse local entities for associated extraordinary law enforcement services.

Exec meeting highlights:
At the Exec meeting several motions were made:
• A motion to forward the existing WCA/ Enbridge agreement to the board failed by a 2-4 vote.
• A motion to seek no reimbursement from WCA/Enbridge failed 0-6.
A recommendation to investigate an alternative reimbursement process with a general
policy addressing:
• Eligible costs
• Board approval
• Affirmation of constitutional protections
• Compliance with open records laws

At the Exec meeting, One member preferred not to go through WCA. Three members preferred WCA. Two members wanted to see options and addressing of the “conflict of interest” concern. Corporation Counsel was directed to prepare possible options.

Attached in the packet are four reimbursement options for consideration. The first two are agreements, the second two are ordinances. The WCA/Enbridge/Bayfield County
agreement has received WCA/Enbridge approval. All four of these options were sent to WCA/Enbridge for their review last Thursday, March 26.

1. Modified WCA / Enbridge Agreement: This is similar to previous versions with several revisions to address Supervisor concerns. It also includes specific mention of dispatch/communications related expenses with interoperability and the
   potential need for adding more dispatchers. Approved by WCA/ENBRIDGE
2. Public Safety Expense Grant and Reimbursement Agreement: This is a direct contract between Enbridge and Bayfield County. This agreement mirrors items in the WCA agreement but does not involve WCA. Not yet approved by Enbridge.
3. Community Events Ordinance: This utilizes verbiage directly from the La Crosse Community Events ordinance, allowing for pre-payment of expected event costs. It is a more general application that involves the granting of a permit. This option is included as an example and would require additional work.
4. Ordinance Establishing Cost Recovery For Extraordinary Public Safety Services. This document combines elements of the La Crosse ordinance with best practices for establishing and operating a neutral cost recovery framework for events, projects, and activities that require extraordinary public safety services. This is a cost recovery type agreement.

Agreements #1 and 2 specify that nothing in this Agreement shall require any County or Sheriff to provide any services beyond that required under Wisconsin Law. Both of the ordinances would benefit from additional review and final adjustments, attachments, etc.