At the Waushara County Board of Supervisors meeting held Nov. 3 at the Waushara County Courthouse, Wautoma, the supervisors unanimously accepted the 2021 Proposed budget of $43,855,500. Only one question was asked before the roll call vote including if the county could sustain taking any additional funds from the reserve account as this year they needed to take $500,000 to meet budget. County Administrator, Robert Sivik said that next year the employees will have to be awarded raises as the county has to keep up with the private sector. Therefore next years budget like this year’s will also be a challenge.
Adam Hady, Area Extension Director, and his staff gave their annual report to the board. Hady said that the mission of the Extension is, “To extend knowledge though UW-Extension to Waushara County. They county do it with a partnership with the state. Hady went on to explain that the Extension works with Healthy Well Being, 4-H, Ken Williams, Ag (who recently retired), Food Wise, and more.
He said that Juneau, Adams, Marquette, Green Lake, and Waushara County work well together.
First to speak was Heidi Hensel-Buntrock, 4-H Director, who told the supervisors that Waushara County, has 14 clubs and 141 Volunteer leaders and they work with children from K-13. 4-H focuses on leadership, citizenship, and life’s work. Projects most popular include Archery, Art, Photography, Swine and Vegetables.
Since March all clubs have been meeting by Zoom for their monthly meetings and all have elected officers through Zoom and it seems to be working well. Hensel-Buntrock said she has provided many activities in boxes that families could participate in. Fifty five youth requested camp boxes this past year. She held a photo contest and other events to keep kids active.
She has plans to distribute three boxes in December including wreath box, fudge box, and ornament box. These are all given to the 4-H Members free of charge. She also said she launched a 4-H Spin Club at Riverview and hopes to start it again in December. Hensel-Buntrock said she keeps in contacts with the leaders, clubs, and members through Zoom.
Mary Ann Schilling, Family Living Educator, told the supervisors that she works with physical, emotional, and mental health and in 2019 her department had 842 contacts and held 94 events. One of those events was the Aging Mastery Program in a great partnership with the Department of Aging. She said it was their 7th program. She also said that she has been working with the A+ After School program on a Girl Power Program.
She said she assists with life skills – anything from financial to being a good renter to healthy relationships. She also added she has a co-parenting class coming up.
Bill Rosenau, Veterans Services Officer, gave his annual report to the board including the 2019 highlights. Rosenau said it is important to keep in mind the fiscal impact the Veterans have on the area. In 2019 nearly half of the money dispensed went to dental needs.
He said the Veterans Administration has changed their billing process three times in the past nine months, causing some issues for their office and veterans. He added that he believes the Fox Valley Technical College in Wautoma has been a huge benefit to the county. In 2018 the Veterans Administration spent $7.8 million on Waushara residents and in 2019 it spent $9.8 million on healthcare.
Rosenau said we live in a resource county, but stressed that we need a political push to get into the digital world.
In other business the supervisors approved an ordinance amending Waushara County Zoning Maps for a zone change for Teresa Genduso, Town of Dakota.
The board approved the appointment of 11 Waushara County residents to the Parks ADA Accessibility Project Citizen Participation Committee.
The next regular scheduled monthly meeting of the Waushara County Board of Supervisors will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at the Waushara County Courthouse, Wautoma.
