Community Development
Kirtis Orendorff
Community Development Educator
kirtis.orendorff@wisc.edu
Extension Community Development Educator Kirtis Orendorff responds to requests for assistance from local municipalities, communities and organizations who want to enhance local decision making and respond to new challenges and opportunities. Programs are designed and delivered to meet these locally identified needs
Continuous Needs Assessment in Sheboygan County
- Attended WTA Unit meeting for Sheboygan County
- Attended Sheboygan County Clerks meeting for March to determine initial educational needs.
- Attended 11 Planning Commission Meetings from March 2nd to May 8th, 2026, to introduce myself, assess needs for education and programming, and be available to answer technical questions.
- Met with Sheboygan County Planning staff
- Met with fellow CDI educators across Wisconsin to better understand what programming is being offered elsewhere and to better understand where best to leverage my role.
Identified Areas of Need
- Data Collection for Comprehensive Planning
- Comprehensive Plan Update Checklist
- Zoning Board of Appeals education
- Youth engagement in public participation
Outcomes
- Responded to 5 questions regarding land use and planning topics.
- Met directly with 3 municipal clerks to answer questions and understand further educational needs.
- Assisted a town planning commission to educate on the regulations and statutes regarding zoning in and out of Farmland Preservation Zoning (collaboration with Sheboygan County Planning staff).
- Assisting 2 municipalities with their upcoming comprehensive plan updates with technical assistance and educational materials such as public engagement material preparation and input for best practices.
Future Projects
- Community Needs Forum for Sheboygan County to be hosted on June 17 and 18. This Forum will help facilitate conversations between representatives of many municipalities to best understand immediate needs for education, programming, and research for local governments. Anticipating ~30 attendees each night, with representatives from all 28 municipalities and Sheboygan County. Registration can be found here: 2026 UW-Extension Sheboygan Community Needs Forum – Extension Sheboygan County
- Will be presenting on different comprehensive plan data collection methods and resources to the Sheboygan County Municipal Clerks meeting on May 21.
- Continue to work with local municipalities to provide resources, education, and materials related to their needs.
- Develop monthly newsletter for municipal officials to communicate news regarding new learning materials, upcoming programming, and news that will affect local governments.