At the May 17 Waushara County Board meeting, Director of Zoning Todd Wahler reported to the board that Waushara County received $4.7 million dollars from the federal government from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), of which $300,000 has been allocated toward a Clean Drinking Water Program that the County Land Conservation Department developed.
Phase 1 would consist of physically providing homeowners from the Countywide Private Well Water Testing Program with water treatment devices to treat the high levels of nitrates within their drinking water. While this cost share program is geared to first address those households within the well water testing program, zoning staff would like to extend cost share monies to additional residents on a first-come, first-serve basis until either all ARPA funds are depleted or demand for this program fades.
If monies are still available after Phase 1, the staff would work on Phase II which is offering a cost share stipend to septage haulers. Wahler noted that Phase II is in very preliminary stages and would be brought to the committee at a later date for approval.
Wahler noted that participants in the private well water testing program will be given priority. He stated that 5 participants have measured nitrates from 27 to 66.4ppm (high), 43 participants have nitrates from 10 to 27ppm (medium) and 38 participants have nitrates from 5 to 9.9ppm (low). He added that both single source and whole house systems are eligible and that each system will be dependent on existing water quality within the home.
Wahler also told the board that no other communities or counties in Wisconsin are doing this program. “We’ve tested. Now it’s time for action,” he said.
The Samuel’s Group Vice-President Kurt Berner attended the meeting and gave the board an update on building projects.
Huntington Securities Representative Jeff Belongia gave the board an update and proposed timetable for bonding for the building projects. He told the board that with inflation and rising building costs, the budget may be increased as much as $30,000,000. He plans to attend the June board meeting to give an update. The mil rate, however, will still be very close to what was originally quoted, even though interest rates have increased.
Department of Aging Director Debbie Paavola gave her annual report to the board, giving statistics representing the impact of “Pandemic Year 2,” stating that the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022 was the most difficult period from a staffing standpoint, due to the Covid Omicron variant. She said there was also a decrease in volunteers during this time, which restricted some of the services normally provided. She added that loneliness continued to be prevalent. She reported accomplishments during 2021, including that dining centers finally opened 3 times per week in April of this year.
Paavola projected that dining centers will have an increase in the number of meals they serve in 2023, that transportation needs are projected to increase and that by 2040, the needs of those 85 and above will also increase.
In other business, the board approved:
•Amendments to the County Board Bylaws, which includes a time change to 6 p.m. for the start of county board meetings, effective with the June 21 meeting. In addition, the use of cell phones during a county board meeting will not be allowed.
•Resolution No. 27-05-22, confirming the appointment of Stephanie Eldredge as Health Officer/Director of Waushara Co. Health Department.
•Resolution No. 28-05-22, acknowledging the commendable service of Donna R. Kalata as Waushara County Board Chair. Kalata served on the board since 1996, and was County Board Chair from 2012 to 2022. She was also the chair of numerous committees during her time on the board.
•The appointments of Mark Kerschner as an alternate to the Planning and Zoning Committee and John F. Bronk to the Veterans Service Commission.
The next Waushara County Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 21 at the Waushara County courthouse at 6 p.m. (Note the time change).
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The Waushara County Board passed Resolution No. 27-05-22, confirming the appointment of Stefanie Eldredge as the Health Officer/Director of the Waushara Co. Health Department, beginning October 10 of this year. Pictured are Eldredge, with the present county health director Patti Wohlfeil, who has been serving in that capacity for 19 years. She will be retiring on January 13, 2023.