Image
-
Waushara County Veterans Services Officer, Bill Rosenau, reported over $14 million in benefits to county vets in 2022.
Body
The Waushara County Board of Supervisors meeting on Nov. 7 at the Waushara County Courthouse opened with the 2024 Budget Public Hearing. There were no comments on the budget and the meeting was closed.
Bill Rosenau, Waushara County Veterans Services Officer, gave his annual report indicating that county veterans received $14.7 million in compensation and benefits in 2023, compared to $11.8 million in 2021. He further went on to state that this 2022 benefit has an economic impact of $8.7 million in the county. The county gained 103 new veterans and lost 74 in 2022.
He told the board that the department budget was in good shape. An ongoing trust and donations have made a positive impact for his department. He added that his has seen an increase in office visits and is very positive about the PACT Act dealing with Radiation, Agent Orange and Burn Pits. He said the PACT Act is the single largest piece to ever be in legislation and deals with disability due to toxic exposures. He went on to say the Vietnam War had many physical injuries, but the Gulf War has more issues from toxins.
He cited a claim that he prevailed at from 2014 to 2022 for a veteran that now receives $45,000 a year. “This is life changing and this is the stuff we are doing,” Rosenau said. “In my 14 years I have never seen anything with the impact of the PACT Act,” he added.
The department may have to change in 2024 if the volume stays the same and the workforce is not there to assist Veterans Services. “In 2024 we may have to sacrifice quality for quantity and I may be back to ask for more help,” he added. Board member, Jesse Urban, was concerned and asked, “How can we best help you?” Rosenau replied that there would have to be more conversations and possibility coming back to the board for additional staff.
Kim Stebbins, Child Support Office Director, gave the annual report indicating that their department reduces child poverty rights and promotes involvement of both parents in a child’s life. She said they establish paternity and the standard for placement today is shared placement. Court orders are referred to Child Support Services, or an individual can apply for services.
She stressed that county resolutions are important and have an impact when applying for grants and funds. The county received a grant from the Federal Government, and of their General-Purpose Revenue 66% is matched for reimbursement from the state. “Our department is well funded by state and federal grants. The more the county invests the more we will get back,” she said. She also added the Waushara County Child Support Office is above the state average for performance.
Andy Ehlert, Alliant Project Engineer, addressed the board with and indicative proposal for a solar power generation facility to be located on six acres of Waushara County land east of and adjacent to the new Waushara County Highway building. The clean energy power grid with help power 313 local homes on a sunny day, plus nearby businesses. The annual lease payment to the county would be $47,779 for 20 years. Ehlert was at the meeting to see if this is something the board may consider or if it is totally out of the question, Alliant would not move forward with the Distribution Engineering Study that would take seven months and cost Alliant $38,000. The proposed project, if approved by the board, would be operational by mid-2025. Considerable questions and a discussion followed Ehlert’s presentation.
Board member Everett Eckstein said, “I would hate to lose six acres forever. We may need to look for the future for using that property and I really don’t want to lose that six-acres.” Pat King, board member, said, “the current highway shop has been there for 50 years and will we need that six-acres?” He added that the additional funds for the lease would be great for the county. Brian Freimark, highway commissioner, said that the 6 acres cost the county $60,000 and there is a pile of dirt that needs to be filled in and a big hole and the grading that needs to be done would cost $40,000-$60,000. He did say his department is growing and they presently serve 9 townships and have been asked to add two more if they can get the workforce. Bart Peterson, board member, asked about fluctuation in the lease once it is signed is the county locked in. Ehlert said once the lease was signed and solar farm goes in it would be expensive to pull it out.
Following the discussion King made a motion to grant Alliant to go ahead with the study and it was seconded by Bob Wedell. The motion passed by majority with Peterson, Eckstein, Urban, and Mark Kerschner voting against the motion.
The board approved resolutions for the 2024 Budget Appropriation and the Capital Improvements Plan 2024-2028.
The next regular meeting of the Waushara County Board of Supervisors will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19 at the Waushara County Courthouse, Wautoma.
He told the board that the department budget was in good shape. An ongoing trust and donations have made a positive impact for his department. He added that his has seen an increase in office visits and is very positive about the PACT Act dealing with Radiation, Agent Orange and Burn Pits. He said the PACT Act is the single largest piece to ever be in legislation and deals with disability due to toxic exposures. He went on to say the Vietnam War had many physical injuries, but the Gulf War has more issues from toxins.
He cited a claim that he prevailed at from 2014 to 2022 for a veteran that now receives $45,000 a year. “This is life changing and this is the stuff we are doing,” Rosenau said. “In my 14 years I have never seen anything with the impact of the PACT Act,” he added.
The department may have to change in 2024 if the volume stays the same and the workforce is not there to assist Veterans Services. “In 2024 we may have to sacrifice quality for quantity and I may be back to ask for more help,” he added. Board member, Jesse Urban, was concerned and asked, “How can we best help you?” Rosenau replied that there would have to be more conversations and possibility coming back to the board for additional staff.
Kim Stebbins, Child Support Office Director, gave the annual report indicating that their department reduces child poverty rights and promotes involvement of both parents in a child’s life. She said they establish paternity and the standard for placement today is shared placement. Court orders are referred to Child Support Services, or an individual can apply for services.
She stressed that county resolutions are important and have an impact when applying for grants and funds. The county received a grant from the Federal Government, and of their General-Purpose Revenue 66% is matched for reimbursement from the state. “Our department is well funded by state and federal grants. The more the county invests the more we will get back,” she said. She also added the Waushara County Child Support Office is above the state average for performance.
Andy Ehlert, Alliant Project Engineer, addressed the board with and indicative proposal for a solar power generation facility to be located on six acres of Waushara County land east of and adjacent to the new Waushara County Highway building. The clean energy power grid with help power 313 local homes on a sunny day, plus nearby businesses. The annual lease payment to the county would be $47,779 for 20 years. Ehlert was at the meeting to see if this is something the board may consider or if it is totally out of the question, Alliant would not move forward with the Distribution Engineering Study that would take seven months and cost Alliant $38,000. The proposed project, if approved by the board, would be operational by mid-2025. Considerable questions and a discussion followed Ehlert’s presentation.
Board member Everett Eckstein said, “I would hate to lose six acres forever. We may need to look for the future for using that property and I really don’t want to lose that six-acres.” Pat King, board member, said, “the current highway shop has been there for 50 years and will we need that six-acres?” He added that the additional funds for the lease would be great for the county. Brian Freimark, highway commissioner, said that the 6 acres cost the county $60,000 and there is a pile of dirt that needs to be filled in and a big hole and the grading that needs to be done would cost $40,000-$60,000. He did say his department is growing and they presently serve 9 townships and have been asked to add two more if they can get the workforce. Bart Peterson, board member, asked about fluctuation in the lease once it is signed is the county locked in. Ehlert said once the lease was signed and solar farm goes in it would be expensive to pull it out.
Following the discussion King made a motion to grant Alliant to go ahead with the study and it was seconded by Bob Wedell. The motion passed by majority with Peterson, Eckstein, Urban, and Mark Kerschner voting against the motion.
The board approved resolutions for the 2024 Budget Appropriation and the Capital Improvements Plan 2024-2028.
The next regular meeting of the Waushara County Board of Supervisors will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19 at the Waushara County Courthouse, Wautoma.