WASHBURN COUNTY, WI — Washburn County Board Supervisor Brian Melton (District-19) has officially resigned from his position, effective Saturday, November 9, 2024. Melton, who was initially elected to the board in 2022 and re-elected in April of this year, also chairs the Washburn County Republican Party and has run his own contracting business for over 25 years.
Melton’s departure creates vacancies on several key committees he served on, including the Zoning, Highway, Forestry, and Transit Commission committees. This comes on the heels of his resignation as Chair of the Zoning Committee earlier in the week on November 5. However, county records show that the Washburn County Board Chair had already appointed another board supervisor to the Zoning Committee prior to Melton’s full board resignation.
In his statement to DrydenWire, Melton outlined numerous concerns that led to his decision, expressing disillusionment with recent board policies, leadership challenges, and what he perceives as a shift away from representing and serving county citizens effectively. He specifically cited issues with the board’s public speaking and decorum policies, grievance procedures, and what he believes is a movement toward silencing supervisors’ direct interactions with residents. "The board’s policies are moving in a direction that keeps us from truly working for the people," Melton said, warning that, without changes, supervisors might be unable to effectively assist residents.
Alongside these governance concerns, Melton also noted personal reasons for his resignation, emphasizing the negative financial impacts his board responsibilities had on his contracting business due to time spent on county matters. He further pointed to stress-related issues as a contributing factor to his decision.
The Washburn County Board Chair will now be responsible for appointing a District 19 resident to serve as board supervisor until the term ends in April 2026. District 19 residents interested in the position can contact Washburn County Board Chair Tim Kessler at tkessler@co.washburn.wi.us for consideration.
Last Update: Nov 10, 2024 3:06 pm CST
