Vacant Arbor Vitae district seat on Vilas County board to be filled

When the Vilas County board meets Tuesday, aside from conducting the 2025 budget hearing and consideration of the county budget for approval, there’s expected to be the naming of an individual to fill one of two vacant seats on the board.

That seat is the District 5 seat, which comprises wards 2 and 7 in the town of Arbor Vitae.

It’s been vacant since before the April election; Michelle Langheim was the last person to represent the Arbor Vitae district in that seat but she didn’t run for re-election in April and didn’t attend the last four regular county board meetings leading up to the election. 

Vilas County clerk Kim Olkowski told The Lakeland Times Monday she’s received a letter of interest and resume’ from a person for consideration at the Nov. 12 county board meeting. 

“I’ve sent county board members the information for review as required by the county board’s standing rules,” she said. “It’ll be on the agenda for the Nov. 12 meeting.”

The other vacant seat is for the county’s 18th district, which comprises wards 4 and 5 in the city of Eagle River and ward 5 in the town of Lincoln. 

Joe Laux, elected in April, resigned last month. 

Olkowski said as of Monday, she hadn’t received any letters of interest for that seat but is “hopeful” she’ll begin receiving those soon. 

Letters of interest and resumes for that seat are due by Jan.6 with consideration for appointment anticipated at the Jan. 28 county board meeting. 

Brian Jopek may be reached via email at [email protected].