The Hastings Resignation: A Supervisor’s Letter Allege

The Hastings Resignation: A Supervisor’s Letter Alleges Corruption, Censorship, and Financial Mismanagement in Price County

County Board moves to fill District 5 vacancy after Jason Hastings resigns, citing intimidation, blocked constituent emails, and financial schemes Read more Price County stories from across the web.

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On April 22, 2026, Jason Hastings. The District 5 supervisor on the Price County Board of Supervisors, representing the Town of Fifield and the Town of Eisenstein Ward 2. Submitted his resignation. What made this resignation unusual wasn’t that a local official stepped down. It was the letter he left behind.

The Resignation Letter

Hastings didn’t quietly exit. His resignation letter, addressed to his constituents and shared publicly, paints a picture of a county government that actively silences dissent and mismanages public funds. The full text reads:

> “Dear Constituents, > >

> “Dear Constituents,
>
> In the oath we took last week, we swore to defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. In America, we are all governed by the consent of we the people, who are the rulers.
>
> I am resigning from my position as County Supervisor, a decision not made lightly. I thought it was important that you know the dangerous and corrupt environment Price County’s local governance has become.
>
> It is my duty to inform you, we the people, that your government has wandered from its constitutional obligations. The promises we make to uphold the rights and liberties, enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, are being blatantly undermined, and my efforts to oppose these indiscretions have been repeatedly blocked.
>
> Since assuming office, I have been subjected to intimidation and threats, not only to censor my voice, but to endanger my family and personal undertakings. My attempts to eliminate corruption, promote transparency, and protect our community’s interests have been met with relentless resistance and absolute inaction, all of which are verifiable on the Price County YouTube channel.
>
> The jacked up bureaucracy in which we find ourselves is no accident , it is a calculated attempt to stifle anyone who has a dissenting opinion and maintain a ‘good old boys club’ that privileges a select few at the expense of our community and constitutional rights. Roadblocks are intentionally set to silence any attempt at change, as seen through blocked incoming emails from my constituents, threatening lawsuits, and censorship during meetings, failing to respond to emails that posed questions.
>
> Our community’s resources are being mismanaged through schemes like the Solberg Lake project, that had no board approval in different ways, misusing the ARPA funds and Price County’s deal with the carbon credits. These were both unjustified financial maneuvers that relocate your hard-earned tax dollars to projects with no accountability or benefit to you. Those who you are supposed to trust with governance have consistently chosen self-interest over public service, all while silencing those who dare to hold them accountable.
>
> I have attempted to serve you by standing against malicious initiatives, such as unauthorized land transactions, fantasy world carbon credit financial entanglements, Bug Tussel tower projects that don’t come to fruition, and the covert expansion of bureaucratic projects , all of which are detrimental to our county’s welfare.
>
> Stand firm and demand the accountability that is your constitutional right. Call your supervisors, because your emails are now being censored. Engage in local governance , attend council meetings, question these crazy policies, and do not be silenced by fear.
>
> Thank you to those who were there for my support.
>
> Jason Hastings”

Specific Allegations

The letter doesn’t speak in generalities. Hastings names specific projects and practices:

1. The Solberg Lake Project

Hastings claims the Solberg Lake County Park expansion proceeded “without board approval in different ways.” But the February 20, 2024 board meeting minutes record the Forestry and Parks committee report stating: “Funding approved for Solberg Lake Park campground expansion.” The Land Use Committee also approved a conditional use permit for the expansion on February 22, 2024.

So the board did approve funding. But Hastings’ qualification matters: “in different ways.” This suggests he believed specific process steps were bypassed, even if the In general funding was approved.

The funding itself raises a separate question. The Forestry and Parks Committee approved a resolution requesting $650,000 in ARPA funding for the Solberg Lake and Smith Lake County Park expansions. ARPA was federal COVID-relief legislation. Whether $650,000 in pandemic relief money should fund a campground expansion is a legitimate policy question, regardless of whether the approval process was technically correct.

2. ARPA Fund Misuse

ARPA funds had a federal obligation deadline of December 31, 2024. The February 2024 board minutes also note an “Update on ARPA funding for local ADA playgrounds” under the Health and Human Services report. So ARPA money went to playgrounds and campground expansion, not just direct COVID relief to residents. Whether this constitutes “misuse” depends on your definition, but the question of whether COVID-relief dollars should have been directed to infrastructure projects rather than individual assistance is one Hastings raised and that deserves public discussion.

3. Carbon Credit Deal

In December 2021, Price County entered a carbon credit contract with Bluesource (now Anew Climate) covering approximately 92,000 acres of county forest land. As of June 2023, no payments had been received. At the February 17, 2026 board meeting, the County Board Chair reported that “Price County’s carbon credits are slated to be on the market very soon, sold by Anew (originally Bluesource) and the status of these credits will continue to be monitored.”

That is over four years from contract signing to credits going on the market. Meanwhile, landowners who enrolled private forest land in similar contracts found themselves unable to sell or develop their property, and some faced tax foreclosure. Hastings called these “fantasy world carbon credit financial entanglements” in his resignation letter, and the timeline bears out his frustration: the county committed 92,000 acres to a contract that has produced zero revenue for over four years.

4. Bug Tussel Tower Projects

The board’s own minutes confirm Hastings’ frustration. At the February 17, 2026 Committee of the Whole, the Board Chair reported on the “Tower Project with Bug Tussel” and “similar poor communication issues.” The county’s radio communication system is at end-of-life and must be replaced within two years at an estimated cost of $4 million. The original plan depended on Bug Tussel towers.

At the April 28 board meeting, Supervisor Larry Palecek said: “We were led to believe that within a year, there would be some action on it, and that was two years ago.” Supervisor Paula Houdek was even blunter, addressing the Bug Tussel representative directly: “If you cannot promise us, if you cannot be honest and transparent with everyone, then why don’t you just get the heck out and move on and let us do what we need to do?”

The county has $15 million in bonds allocated for the project, but only approximately $7,000 has been drawn. Bug Tussel has undergone reorganization, and the original county representative is no longer with the company. Hastings’ characterization of projects that “don’t come to fruition” is not hyperbole; it is the lived experience of the board itself.

5. Blocked Constituent Emails

Perhaps the most disturbing allegation: Hastings claims emails from his constituents to the county board were blocked or censored. If true, this isn’t just a governance problem , it’s a First Amendment issue. When citizens can’t communicate with their elected representatives through official channels, the democratic process is fundamentally broken.

6. Threats and Intimidation

Hastings describes being subjected to “intimidation and threats” aimed at silencing him and threatening his “family and personal undertakings.” He also mentions threats of lawsuits against him for asking questions during meetings.

The Board’s Response

On April 28, 2026 , six days after Hastings’ resignation , the Price County Board of Supervisors met and voted to fill the District 5 vacancy. An interim supervisor was appointed, and the board is now accepting applications from interested District 5 residents. The Price County Clerk’s office is coordinating the process.

What the board hasn’t done , at least publicly , is address any of the specific allegations Hastings raised.

What We Can Verify

Hastings specifically says his claims are “verifiable on the Price County YouTube channel.” Review of board meeting minutes from February 17, 2026 and February 20, 2024, along with the April 28, 2026 board meeting, confirms several of his core claims:

Carbon credit contract exists. Confirmed in board minutes: “Price County’s carbon credits are slated to be on the market very soon, sold by Anew (originally Bluesource).” Over four years after the contract was signed, still no revenue.

Bug Tussel delays are real. Confirmed in board minutes. Only $7,000 drawn from $15 million in bonds. The county’s own board chair reported “poor communication issues.” Supervisor Houdek told Bug Tussel to leave if they could not deliver.

Emergency radio system is critical. Confirmed. The county’s radio system must be replaced within two years at approximately $4 million. The original plan depended on Bug Tussel towers.

Tax foreclosures are ongoing. The most recent Amended Verified Petition for tax liens on 2022 taxes was filed April 20, 2026, just two days before Hastings resigned.

Solberg Lake funding was approved

Solberg Lake funding was approved. The February 20, 2024 minutes record “Funding approved for Solberg Lake Park campground expansion.” This partially contradicts Hastings’ claim of no board approval, though his qualification “in different ways” may refer to specific ARPA fund allocation procedures.

Hastings was a consistent dissenter. At the February 17, 2026 meeting, he voted No on 4 of 7 resolutions, including the Administration Manual, Elected Official Salaries, Transportation Funding, and County Administrator Contract. He was frequently the lone No vote.

ARPA funds went to infrastructure, not direct relief. Board minutes confirm ARPA funding for ADA playgrounds and campground expansion.

Hastings’ wife is GOP chair. Tammy Hastings was elected chair of the Republican Party of Price County in January 2025. This political context is relevant to understanding the dynamics at play.

Open Questions

This resignation raises more questions than it answers:

1. Who blocked constituent emails, and on whose authority? Under Wisconsin’s open records and open meetings laws, interfering with constituent communications to elected officials is a serious matter.
2. What did Hastings mean by “no board approval in different ways”? Board minutes show funding was approved. Was there a specific ARPA allocation step that bypassed the board?
3. What are the terms of the carbon credit contract? Over four years in, credits are “slated to be on the market very soon.” The county has not publicly disclosed contract terms, payment schedule, or exit provisions.
4. Can Bug Tussel deliver before the radio system reaches end-of-life? The county faces a 2028 deadline for radio replacement. Only 2 towers built after 2 years.
5. Who threatened Hastings, and what legal actions were threatened? If supervisors face lawsuits for asking questions, every resident should be concerned.
6. Will the new District 5 supervisor face the same environment? Or will the board address these systemic issues?
7. What role does Hastings’ political affiliation play? His wife Tammy is chair of the Price County GOP. Is the conflict personal, partisan, or institutional?
8. What happened at the April 28 board meeting? Minutes are not yet available (typically approved at the next meeting). The meeting occurred 6 days after Hastings resigned.

The Bigger Picture

Hastings’ resignation doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It comes at a time when:

The U.T.A.V. organization has submitted proposals for the May 19 County Board meeting covering firearm surrender compliance, Starlink broadband, economic resilience, and WCMIC escrow transparency
– Tax foreclosures are accelerating, with the latest petition filed April 20
– Carbon credit contracts lock up 92,000 acres while residents face foreclosure
– Broadband gaps persist despite state and federal funding

The convergence of these issues suggests a county government under strain , and a community demanding accountability.

What’s Next

The District 5 seat is open. Interested residents should contact Price County Clerk Meredith Hueckman or County Board Chair Brian Ernst. The next County Board meeting is May 19, 2026 , the same meeting where U.T.A.V.’s proposals are on the agenda.

We’ll continue investigating each of the specific allegations Hastings raised. If you have information about any of these issues , the Solberg Lake project, ARPA spending, carbon credits, Bug Tussel towers, or constituent communication issues , contact us at pricecounty.fun.

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This article is part of an ongoing investigative series by Northwoods Explorer covering Price County governance, transparency, and accountability. Previous coverage includes analysis of U.T.A.V.’s proposals for the May 19 County Board meeting, the carbon credit contract, tax foreclosures, and rural broadband gaps.

Sources: My Northern Wisconsin (thread-816), APG-WI Price County Review, Price County Board of Supervisors meeting recordings (YouTube @pricecountywigovernment), Price County official website (co.price.wi.us), Hastings resignation letter (public document).

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Related Coverage

This investigation connects to our ongoing series:

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Price County government structured?

Price County is governed by a Board of Supervisors elected from districts across the county. The board oversees county operations, approves budgets, and sets policy. The county administrator manages day-to-day operations under the board’s direction.

Can the public attend Price County board meetings?

Yes, Price County board meetings are open to the public under Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law. Meeting schedules, agendas, and minutes are published on the county website, and public comment periods allow residents to address the board on county matters.

How can residents report concerns about county government misconduct?

Residents can report concerns to the Price County Clerk’s office, the Wisconsin Ethics Commission, the Wisconsin Department of Justice, or through anonymous tip lines. County-level complaints can also be filed with the appropriate oversight body depending on the nature of the concern.

What financial oversight exists for Price County spending?

Price County’s finances are subject to annual audits, open records requests under Wisconsin law, and public budget hearings. The county treasurer publishes financial reports, and the state provides additional oversight through accountability mechanisms. Board supervisors have the right to request financial documentation and vote on all expenditures.