Determining what Kewaunee County will look like in 20 years began this week, with residents’ voices needed in the coming months.

The Kewaunee County Board approved the public participation process for its 20-year comprehensive plan, which is required under state statute, during its regularly scheduled meeting earlier this month.

The county will bring on the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission to guide officials through the process, with a goal of having the plan approved by the full County Board by the end of the year.

Before it reaches that stage, the process will include community workshops, public meetings and hearings, open houses and comment periods. The plan must also be approved by the Kewaunee Land and Water Conservation Committee.

It is the first time many of the county’s supervisors, including Land and Water Conservation Committee Chair Aaron Augustian, have gone through the process, which helped preserve some of the county’s farmland from development in the past.

When the time comes, Augustian said it will be important for residents to take advantage of opportunities to make their voices heard.

The Kewaunee County Board also approved a Wisconsin Emergency Management grant and purchases for the Highway and Sheriff’s departments during its meeting Tuesday.