Last updated: June 26, 2026
Thirteen seats were on the Price County spring ballot April 7, 2026. Two were contested. Both winners are now voting on county business at 126 Cherry Street. And the one lingering vacancy that left Fifield and Eisenstein residents without a supervisor for two months got filled.
Here is the complete board roster as of June 26, what changed since the election, and what the board faces at its July 14 meeting.
Who Won the Contested Price County Board Seats in April 2026?
Jeffery Ulrich defeated Regan Kamin for the open District 4 seat, which covers the Town of Hill and Ward 1 of the Town of Ogema. Before the election, the Price County Review asked both candidates the same four questions. Kamin told voters she wanted to be “the voice for our little town.” She brought seven years of nursing experience and a hands-on record: she secured a $29,000 Public Service Commission of Wisconsin grant that upgraded the Town of Hill hall and shop.
Ulrich, a lifelong Town of Hill resident and registered nurse with 27 years in healthcare including 20 in leadership, told the Review he ran on “collaboration—working with neighboring towns, town boards, and regional partners to coordinate services, pursue shared solutions, and leverage grants so taxpayer dollars go further.” He was already a Town of Hill supervisor in his seventh year. He now serves on the Administration Committee, Highway and Transportation Committee, and Land Use/UW-Extension Committee. His address on the county roster is W4096 State Highway 86, Ogema, WI 54459.
Jenifer Baratka defeated Shawn Krawczyk for District 13, which covers Phillips Ward 1, Elk Ward 2, and Worcester Ward 2. She currently serves on the Land Use/UW-Extension Committee and Law Enforcement Committee. Her phone number on the county roster, 619-948-4884, suggests she relocated to Price County from the San Diego area.
Eleven supervisors ran unopposed: Larry Palecek (D1), Michelle Drobnik (D2), Joe Baratka (D3), Jason Hastings (D5), Paula Houdek (D6), Dennis Wartgow (D7), Jordan Spacek (D9), Robert Kopisch (D10), Patricia Stephan (D11), and Douglas Erickson (D12). Brian Ernst, the 2026 board chair, moved from District 13 to the open District 8 seat left by Alan Barkstrom’s retirement.
Who Filled the District 5 Vacancy?
On April 28, the board voted unanimously to fill the District 5 seat by appointment. The seat covers the Towns of Fifield and Eisenstein. For two months, residents in those towns had no supervisor to call about county issues.
The county has now appointed Preston Scheuermann to District 5. His address on the county roster is W7241 Spruce Street, Fifield, WI 54524. He serves on the Administration Committee and the Forestry and Parks/Buildings and Grounds Committee.
The District 5 seat also appears on the November 3, 2026 special election ballot. Scheuermann will serve until voters decide in the fall.
What Is the Full 2026 Price County Board Roster and Committee Assignments?
Here is every supervisor, their district, and committee assignments as of June 26, 2026:
- District 1 — Larry Palecek (Park Falls, 350 River Road): Executive Committee, Highway & Transportation, Law Enforcement
- District 2 — Michelle Drobnik (Kennan, W10857 Oak Ridge Ln): Executive Committee, Forestry & Parks/Buildings & Grounds, Land Use/UW-Extension
- District 3 — Joe Baratka (Park Falls, N11905 Price Lake Rd): Administration, Health & Human Services, Highway & Transportation
- District 4 — Jeffery Ulrich (Ogema, W4096 State Hwy 86): Administration, Highway & Transportation, Land Use/UW-Extension
- District 5 — Preston Scheuermann (Fifield, W7241 Spruce St): Administration, Forestry & Parks/Buildings & Grounds
- District 6 — Paula Houdek (Phillips, W3601 Maple Dr): County Board Vice-Chair, Executive Committee, Health & Human Services
- District 7 — Dennis Wartgow (Park Falls, 261 9th St. N.): Administration, Health & Human Services
- District 8 — Brian Ernst (Phillips, 9907 Sunset Dr.): County Board Chair, Executive Committee
- District 9 — Jordan Spacek (Phillips, N6986 Cranberry Lake Rd): Executive Committee, Forestry & Parks/Buildings & Grounds, Highway & Transportation
- District 10 — Robert Kopisch (Butternut, N16165 Lakeshore Dr): Health & Human Services, Land Use/UW-Extension, Law Enforcement
- District 11 — Patricia Stephan (Phillips, 526 S Argyle Ave): Forestry & Parks/Buildings & Grounds, Health & Human Services, Law Enforcement
- District 12 — Douglas Erickson (Prentice, N3838 Hay Creek Rd): Forestry & Parks/Buildings & Grounds, Highway & Transportation, Land Use/UW-Extension
- District 13 — Jenifer Baratka (Phillips area, phone 619-948-4884): Land Use/UW-Extension, Law Enforcement
Two changes from our earlier June 23 report: Preston Scheuermann now fills District 5, and Jenifer Baratka’s committee assignments shifted—she no longer holds a seat on Forestry and Parks/Buildings and Grounds.
See also: our complete guide to every town in Price County to find which district you live in.
What Did the May 12 Administration Committee Meeting Accomplish?
The Administration Committee met May 12 at 9:00 a.m. in the County Board Room. Dennis Wartgow chaired. Joe Baratka, Paula Houdek, and Jeff Ulrich (joining remotely) attended. Jordan Spacek was excused. Brian Ernst and County Administrator Nick Trimner also participated.
The committee approved two employee handbook updates. First: an inclement weather and emergency closure policy. Under the new rules, department heads can close offices or authorize remote work during severe weather. The County Board Chairperson now gets added to that decision chain. Second: a smart glasses and wearable recording device policy for employees. This is a precautionary measure—no county employee has been caught recording with smart glasses. The rule applies to staff, not the public.
A procedure for setting future elected official wages also advanced. Ulrich supported the motion in one of his first committee votes as District 4 supervisor. The committee set its next meeting for June 9, 2026.
What Is the County’s Current Staffing Situation?
The May 12 minutes show a workforce in motion. Four new hires joined county payroll: Lori Svoboda as Child Support Specialist, Zachary Stendahl as Highway Operator, and Chelsey Howell and Dawson Hauschild as Deputy Sheriffs. Three employees departed: Dawn Schmutzer (Child Support Specialist), Dan Heenan (Highway Fleet and Facilities Superintendent, retired), and David Wesenick (Deputy Sheriff). Michael Ball now fills the Highway Fleet and Facilities Superintendent role.
Open positions include Administrative Assistant for Child Support, Part-Time Correction Officer/Dispatcher, Part-Time Deputy Sheriff, and Substitute Nutrition Site Managers. Two new Health and Human Services Social Worker positions for the Children’s Long-Term Support program will be recruited after job descriptions are updated. These are the behavioral health positions approved April 28. Caseloads hit 71 per worker before the new hires were authorized—the state recommends 25.
What Should Residents Watch for at the July 14 Board Meeting?
The full Price County Board of Supervisors meets July 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 101 of the Courthouse at 126 Cherry Street, Phillips. The Administration Committee meets the same day. Residents can join by Webex or call 1-408-418-9388.
Three items demand attention. First, the employee handbook updates from May 12 need a full board vote. The inclement weather policy and smart glasses policy affect every county employee. Second, the elected-wage-setting procedure moves through committee. Supervisors will eventually vote on their own pay. Third, now that Preston Scheuermann fills the District 5 seat, the board operates at full strength for the first time since the April election. Thirteen supervisors will be in the room.
The Bug Tussel broadband project remains the county’s biggest outstanding issue. The Executive Committee gave Bug Tussel a 60-day deadline at the April 21 organizational meeting. That clock has run out. The six-tower broadband and emergency communications project sits past the two-year mark on an 18-month timeline, with roughly $15 million in bond funding available and only minimal draws. The county’s emergency radio system reaches end-of-life status within two years. Supervisors will press for progress July 14.
How Can Price County Residents Participate in Board Meetings?
The July 14 meeting starts at 9:00 a.m. in the County Board Room, Price County Courthouse, 126 Cherry Street, Phillips. Here is how to participate:
- Webex: Link posted at co.price.wi.us/calendar
- Conference Call: 1-408-418-9388 (access code posted with the agenda)
- Agenda: Published approximately one week ahead at the Price County Agenda Center
Public comments open every meeting. If you have something to say about broadband, the budget, the new inclement weather policy, or anything else county-level, July 14 at 9:00 a.m. is your window. Show up in person or dial in.
See also: our coverage of the county’s self-insured health plan, our breakdown of how the sheriff and jail consume 42 cents of every general fund dollar, and our reporting on the Worcester gravel pit opposition.
Cross-site: The Ripsaw Saloon’s take on the Wisconsin supper club ritual is a reminder that community gathering spaces matter as much as committee rooms.
See also: our guide to free camping in Wisconsin
See also: our complete lodging guide for Price County
See also: what makes Price County communities special
See also: our guide to Price County public records
See also: our complete Price County dining guide
See also: supper clubs within an hour of Price County
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the current Price County Board of Supervisors members in 2026?
The 13 current supervisors are Larry Palecek (D1), Michelle Drobnik (D2), Joe Baratka (D3), Jeffery Ulrich (D4), Preston Scheuermann (D5), Paula Houdek (D6), Dennis Wartgow (D7), Brian Ernst (D8), Jordan Spacek (D9), Robert Kopisch (D10), Patricia Stephan (D11), Douglas Erickson (D12), and Jenifer Baratka (D13). The roster was last confirmed June 26, 2026 against the official county website.
When is the next Price County Board meeting?
The next full board meeting is July 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 101 of the Price County Courthouse, 126 Cherry Street, Phillips. It is open to the public. Remote access is available via Webex or conference call at 1-408-418-9388.
Who represents District 5 on the Price County Board?
Preston Scheuermann now represents District 5, covering the Towns of Fifield and Eisenstein. His address is W7241 Spruce Street, Fifield, WI 54524. He serves on the Administration Committee and Forestry and Parks/Buildings and Grounds Committee. The seat also appears on the November 3, 2026 special election ballot.
What contested races were on the Price County spring 2026 ballot?
Two seats were contested April 7, 2026: District 4 (Jeffery Ulrich defeated Regan Kamin) and District 13 (Jenifer Baratka defeated Shawn Krawczyk). Brian Ernst moved from District 13 to District 8, running unopposed after Alan Barkstrom’s retirement.
How do I contact a Price County Board supervisor?
Supervisor phone numbers and email addresses are published on the Price County website. You can also attend the public comment portion of any board meeting to address all supervisors directly. Each district page includes a map showing district boundaries.
Source citations: Price County Board of Supervisors roster at co.price.wi.us/319/County-Board; Price County Review Candidates Q&A published March 26, 2026; Price County Administration Committee minutes from May 12, 2026; April 28, 2026 County Board meeting minutes. All confirmed June 26, 2026.