Review of Ashland County's Comprehensive Plan

A standing committee of the Ashland County Board of Supervisors, the Planning Committee was formed in 2023. It is comprised of supervisors, county staff, a UW Extension employee, and members of the local community. Its ongoing charge is to consider all opportunities and threats that Ashland County is likely to face both in the short-and long-term future. All meetings are open to the public. 

The committee's current work is to update the Ashland County Comprehensive Plan, to be concluded in late 2026. Residents of Ashland County are welcome to submit comments and ideas to the Planning Committee for the 2026 Comprehensive Plan at any time. Please do so by emailing, attending a Planning Meeting, or submitting comments in writing. If you have a particular interest in any of the nine required plan elements (Issues and Opportunities, Housing, Transportation, Utilities and Community Facilities, Agricultural, Natural, and Cultural Resources, Economic Development, Intergovernmental Cooperation, Land Use, and Implementation) and would like to provide direct feedback to the Planning Committee, please do so by contacting the comittee at one of the methods below. 

Committee Members: 

Bradley Ray: Chair - District 6--City of Ashland

Terrance Van Buren: Vice-Chair - District 17--City of Mellen

George Bussey - District 14--Towns of Gingles and White River

Elizabeth Franek - District 9--City of Ashland

Elizabeth Gehred - District 1--City of Ashland

Paul Wilharm - District 10--Town of LaPointe and City of Ashland

Marques Jolma - District 15--Town of White River

Dan Grady - County Administrator

Gary Mertig - Ashland County Board Chair; District 21--Town of Agenda and Village of Butternut

Charlie Ortman - Citizen Representative

Lissa Radke - Ashland County UW Extension

Contact Us

• Send email to: extensioninfo@ashlandcountywi.gov

• Mail letter to: Ashland County Planning Committee

• Attend a Planning Committee Meeting in person or virtually. 
  • Meetings are recorded, and recordings are available under "Meeting Information". 

• Contact the Committee Chair and Committee Members directly. You may also call the County Administration Office at 715-682-7015.