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
- Continued attendance at monthly Sheboygan County Clerks meetings to determine continued educational efforts/feedback on ongoing efforts
- Met with statewide UW-Extension educators to assess current research efforts regarding emerging land use topics such as renewable energy production, data centers, and housing.
- Attended 2 webinars hosted by RESET to understand current solar ordinance requirements and guidance from UW-Extension.
- Met with Sheboygan County Clerk.
- Attended September WTA meeting to answer questions and assess needs regarding data center education
Identified Areas of Need
- Education regarding emerging land use topics such as data centers and renewable energy production.
- Recruitment strategies for new members of local government staff, committees, and commissions.
- Local government official training and programming
- Resources on zoning ordinances, updates, and state statute updates that affect local zoning ordinances
- Comprehensive planning resources
- Resources and strategies for running effective public hearings, engaging community members in local government decision-making, and inter-governmental communications.
- Support designing and facilitating community engagement opportunities.
Outcomes
- Completed the 2026 Community Needs Forum for Sheboygan County CDI and PYD educators in collaboration with Diana Hammer. 14 total local officials attended in person, with The final report can be found here: https://sheboygan.extension.wisc.edu/files/2026/07/2026-CNF-CDI-Report-Final.pdf.
- Hosted RESET’s Large Scale Solar Development Lunch and Learn for local government officials.
- 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.
- Attended meetings with the Town of Rhine Ordinance Committee to provide technical assistance with ongoing ordinance updates.
- Met with Cedar Grove Clerk to provide guidance and education on subdivision and rezoning process.
- Toured Eden, WI’s renewable energy generation site, to gain first-hand experience with renewable energy developments.
- Presented on data collection methods to Sheboygan County Clerks on May 21, as well as relevant updates from the 2025 WI State Legislative session on August 20.
Future Projects
- Arranging speaker for December WTA meeting regarding data center land use regulation, community impact, and environmental considerations with Karl Green.
- Continue to work with local municipalities to provide resources, education, and materials related to their needs.
- Continue to work with statewide educators to bring programming relevant to identified community needs to local government officials in Sheboygan County.
- Develop and publish monthly newsletters for municipal officials to communicate news regarding new learning materials, upcoming programming, and news that will affect local governments.