Christy Conley

The Forest County public hearing on the proposed budget for the year 2025 includes discussion of expenditures for general government, public safety, health and human services, culture and recreation, conservation and development, public works, debt service, and transportation. Anticipated revenues and the proposed levy are also key discussion points.

This document details the Feasibility Study and Implementation Plan for Forest County to establish its own Human Service Department (HSD). The plan's purpose is to transition from a multi-county human service agreement to a single-county HSD, integrating existing social services and community programs. Key focus areas include improving access to and coordination of services, enhancing fiscal and programmatic accountability, and realizing efficiencies by combining agencies. The implementation involves developing purchase of service contracts, integrating aging and disability services, establishing a new governance board, and hiring an HSD Director. The intended outcome is an accessible, responsive, effective, efficient, and accountable social and human service delivery system for county residents, with an operational effective date of January 1, 2025.

This Aging Plan for Forest County, covering fiscal years 2025-2027, serves as a strategic framework to enhance the well-being, dignity, and independence of its aging population by aligning with the Older Americans Act. Key strategic goals include increasing advocacy for elderly and disabled transportation, maintaining person-centered and sustainable nutrition programs, expanding evidence-based health promotion activities such as StrongBodies and Bingocize, and strengthening caregiver support through recruitment, training, and equitable access to respite care services. The plan also prioritizes robust community engagement, integration of the aging unit with the ADRC of the Northwoods, enhanced coordination with Native American tribes, and comprehensive emergency preparedness to ensure accessible, inclusive, and effective services for all older adults in the community.

The committee meeting included updates on Title III projects, WPS radio repairs, EMPG grant funding, and the Hazmat grant. Travel requests for the WEMA Conference and Debris Management Training were approved. The committee reviewed the budget sheets for 2026, including Hazardous Materials, All Hazard Mitigation, SARA LEPC, 911, and Emergency Management. There was discussion regarding the miscellaneous line item in the Emergency Management budget. The Wabeno School Exercise was reviewed positively. The committee also discussed the PSAP grant and dispatch sergeant updates, including the upcoming launch of Total Response, dispatcher resignations, and the use of Rapid SOS and What III words. The monthly budget reports were shared, and future agenda items were discussed.

The meeting included discussions and actions on various topics, including job descriptions for the Human Services Director and Assistant Director, with the Assistant Director position put on hold for clarification. Training requests for employees were approved. The committee convened in a closed session to discuss possible litigation matters but took no action afterward. The board also discussed and acted on designating a responsible party to sign for the 5310 Mobility Management Grant and any other future grants awarded to the department. The Alvin meal site was discussed, with a motion to discontinue it as of 01/01/2026, pending GWAAR's approval. The purchase of four cellphones for the COA vans, funded by DOT and Mobility Management grants, was approved. An employee resignation was accepted. The process to communicate ADRC events was discussed, with a plan to provide a calendar and email updates. The director provided updates on fundraising efforts and grant funding.