Mark Abeles-Allison

The agenda for the Highway Committee meeting includes several key discussion points. These cover the approval of vouchers, discussion and potential action regarding ATV route requests in the Town of Barnes, Town of Tripp, and City of Washburn, and a discussion concerning the 2026 CTH A south project. Furthermore, the Commissioner's Report will address the CTH M bid, a review of the WCHA/WisDOT Level of Service Model, and additions related to Mason and Port Wing.

The meeting agenda includes the State of the Tribes Address and a preliminary discussion concerning a Joint Venture for a Veteran's Court in 2027. Further discussion items cover presentations from the Bayfield County and Red Cliff Health Departments regarding immunizations, Countywide EMS Services updates, Economic Development initiatives, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Redesignation Proposal and Joint Resolution, Broadband and Telecommunications updates, the County / Tribal Lands Working Initiative, Housing updates including collaborations with Cheqbuilt / Habitat, and an update on the Zoning Code Rewrite.

The meeting featured a program presentation on the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Program, detailing its function as a Medicaid-funded resource for adults and youth with mental illnesses or substance use diagnoses, including a discussion on participation barriers and potential advocacy opportunities for the DHS Board. Monthly section reports covered updates for Family Services, noting staffing changes, case complexity, and out-of-home placements; Aging and Disability Services, highlighting growth in the home-delivered meals program and related budget constraints; Support Services, detailing remodeling progress, budget updates, file retention/shredding initiatives, and EHR system implementation; Economic Support Services, reporting on compliance review findings, upcoming workload changes regarding energy assistance and application processing, and new requirements concerning FoodShare travel and Medicaid immigration status investigation; and Behavioral Health and Community Programs, discussing staff performance, handling of high-cost placements, and coordination with Sawyer County for certification needs. The Board also considered and approved a motion to appoint Dana Churness to the Regional Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Coordination Committee.

The meeting agenda focused on feedback and discussion regarding several policy updates. Key discussions included amendments to the Policy for Addressing a Crisis, specifically regarding the inclusion of guardians, ambulance calls, and defining 'imminent crisis.' The committee also reviewed changes to the Service Provider Recruitment and Contracting Policy, the Ashland Ccs Monitoring and Documentation Policy, and Telehealth Agreements and Informed Consent Forms, noting updates to allow recording only with prior written consent. Clarification was provided regarding the utilization and cost savings associated with the ACCS vendor, Roots Residential. A Program Report was presented, focusing on 2025 enrollment summaries, and updates on provider availability. Furthermore, development of a specific process for participant transfers between programs was discussed, focusing on key differences between counties. Finally, a motion was made to refer an applicant for the Bayfield County Representative Committee.

Key discussions included the expiration of the Vice-Chair's term and the need for member recruitment. The approval of the state's s85.21 application was announced. The committee reviewed the Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Coordination Plan for Ashland, Bayfield, and Price Counties (2024-2028), focusing on five specific goals related to service access, efficiency, expansion, funding, and ridership. A significant portion of the meeting involved discussing the potential expansion of transportation services for Bayfield County residents using models like Iron County's utilization of BART services, including increasing resources and expanding travel areas, although implementation is projected for 2027. An update on the BART electric bus procurement indicated a shift to a gas-powered bus purchase due to delays. The committee also determined that an investigation into the percentage of the Bayfield County population that is aging and disability qualified is required.