Comprehensive Planning Committee
WELCOME TO THE FUTURE OF ASHLAND COUNTY
YOU HAVE A SAY
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 assigned subcommittee, please contact us.
Contact Us
- Send email to: extensioninfo@ashlandcountywi.gov
- Mail letter to: Ashland County Planning Committee
- Attend a Planning Committee Meeting
- Contact the Committee Chair and Committee Members directly:
| Name | Role | Subcommittee Assignment | Phone Number | |
| George Bussey | Chair | Utilities | george.bussey@ashlandcountywi.gov | 715-209-2508 |
| Bradley Ray | Vice-Chair | Housing | bradley.ray@ashlandcountywi.gov | 715-513-6067 |
| Dan Grady | County Administrator/Member | N/A | dan.grady@ashlandcountywi.gov | 715-682-7015 |
| Gary Mertig | County Board Chair/Member | Land-Use & Economic Development | gary.mertig@ashlandcountywi.gov | 715-769-3660 |
| Donald (Patrick) Kinney | Member | Agriculture, Forestry, & Natural Resources | patrick.kinney@ashlandcountywi.gov | 715-682-9198 |
| Lissa Radke | Member | Trends & Issues, Risks & Opportunities | lissa.radke@wisc.edu | 715-685-2001 |
| Charlie Ortman | Member | Intergovernmental Cooperation | bomlinger@yahoo.com | 715-292-7083 |
| Elizabeth Franek | Member | Cultural Resources & Community Facilities | elizabeth.franek@ashlandcountywi.gov | 715-969-6732 |
| Paul Wilharm | Member | Transportation | paul.wilharm@ashlandcountywi.gov |