Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors Meeting and Public Hearing – November 4, 2025

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate this meeting originally took place on October 28, 2025, but the summary is presented under the requested date of November 4, 2025.

The Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors met on November 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the City-County Government Center. The meeting included a public hearing on the proposed 2026 county budget, approval of several resolutions, a proclamation, and a report. All 25 supervisors were present.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of October 14, 2025 approved 24-0-1 (Supervisor Fenric abstained).
• Resolution 49-25 congratulating Campbellsport Baseball Legion 19U for winning the 19U Wisconsin Class AA State Tournament. Approved 25-0. Coach Gary Gable and team members accepted the resolution; the program has only existed for four years.
• Proclamation supporting the Fond du Lac County United Way and designating October 2025 as United Way Month. Approved 25-0. Amber Killoway (United Way) accepted and noted that approximately one in three county residents are served by United Way partners; the 2025 campaign focuses on ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families.
• Report of Finance, Personnel and Economic Development Committee on September 2025 mileage, per diem, and expenses: Total $7,168.96 ($4,305 per diem, $2,666.96 mileage, $197 expenses). Approved 25-0.
• Resolution 5A authorizing a lease agreement with the Office of U.S. Congressman Glenn Grothman for office space in the Fond du Lac County Campus effective January 1, 2026. Approved 24-0-1 (Supervisor Rodman abstained).

Public Comments & Testimony (Budget Hearing)

A public hearing on the proposed 2026 Fond du Lac County Budget was called to order at 6:15 p.m. Multiple speakers urged the Board to amend the budget to fund a full-time county extension health and well-being educator position (currently only 20% funded after federal FoodWise program cuts eliminated three extension positions). Speakers included:

• Pat Hilt (volunteer at Broken Bread) requested the position to maintain connections for feeding the hungry.
• Ellen Shatuk (Ripon Food Pantry coordinator, statement read) asked to add a full-time position to support volunteer-run food pantries and nutrition education.
• Diana Hammer (former UW Extension employee, resident) emphasized the strength of Fond du Lac County Extension and the need for a full-time educator to maintain coordination; noted that having 100% time dedicated to the county would allow more targeted work.
• Kay Latson (resident) urged funding, citing rising demand and loss of critical support.
• Carol Smith (resident) noted that 35% of the community are ALICE; three extension positions were lost; asked to amend the budget.
• Sha (single mother, former food pantry client) gave a personal story of relying on food pantries to support her children’s success; noted connections to WIC and farmers market programs.
• Preston Benton (Ripon College student) stressed that food pantries rely on extension for coordination, grants, and organization.
• Ann Hounsel (Broken Bread director) reported serving 675–775 individuals weekly (52% children); last year served 35,700 individuals; need for full-time position to coordinate 20+ pantries and share resources.
• Jan Roop (retired school psychologist) cited food insecurity’s impact on classroom behavior and achievement.
• Soren Haug (Ripon College economics professor, statement read) argued that modest investment leverages volunteer efforts and improves public health; noted 150 people attended the recent Milwaukee Food Summit.
• Ellen Simon (Fond du Lac Food Pantry executive director) reported serving 127 households on the day of the hearing vs. typical 75; coordination with other pantries critical.
• Amber Killoway (United Way) noted a 20% increase in food-related 211 calls; 41% of city of Fond du Lac and 42% of Ripon residents are ALICE; urged funding to maintain coordination; warned of impending SNAP benefit cuts.
• Yolanda Minecraft (board member, Traded Treasures & Community Food Pantry) listed benefits of extension position: food summits, networking, training on expiration dates, trauma-informed care, nutrition education materials.
• Mandy (resident) works with homeless families; reported 838 households on coordinated entry list (up from 600 eight months ago); extension position provides updated resource lists in English and Spanish.
• John Markle (candidate for 6th Congressional District) noted Winnebago County faced similar cuts and funded a position via a UW extension contract.

All speakers supported funding a full-time health and well-being educator position. The public hearing was closed at 6:57 p.m.

Discussion Items

Resolution 5B: Authorizing transfer of representation of interest of the public in prosecution of all Children in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS), Termination of Parental Rights (TPR), and juvenile guardianship matters from the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office to the Corporation Counsel’s Office, effective January 10, 2026, and allowing Corporation Counsel to contract legal services. Joint resolution from Finance, Personnel and Economic Development and Public Safety Committees.

• Supervisor Griffith expressed initial concerns but stated she would vote in favor. She raised several questions:
  • The county-funded CHIPS position (~$110,000) will transfer to Corporation Counsel; additional costs (up to ~$70,000) may be needed. Corporation Counsel Tammy responded that they will evaluate at carryover time and use contingency if needed.
  • State reimbursement: 26% for CHIPS grant and 40% for TPR grant on eligible expenses. The budget estimates $110,000 expenses offset by ~$50,000 in grants and $60,000 from levy.
  • The position remains in the DA’s budget but unfunded. County Executive Kaufman noted the DA may use it to facilitate transfer of a state position.
  • These cases were included in the state workload analysis that justified four new assistant DAs for Fond du Lac. By transferring them, they will no longer count toward future state funding. District Attorney Eric confirmed that CHIPS/TPR cases were part of the analysis.
  • Caseload: CHIPS filings increased from 78 (1999) to 133 (recent); TPRs from 23 to 17-18; numbers vary yearly.
• Supervisor Gary Will noted this function originally belonged to Corporation Counsel years ago before being transferred to the DA; returning it allows contracting with a specialized firm to provide multiple attorneys, improving efficiency for children.
• District Attorney Tony explained difficulty in hiring attorneys for these cases; the contracted firm will provide better permanency for kids.
• Supervisor Brallt thanked Supervisor Griffith for her research and expressed hope for better outcomes for vulnerable children.

Key Outcomes

• All consent items approved as noted (unanimous or near-unanimous).
• Public hearing held on 2026 budget; no vote taken at hearing (budget adoption scheduled for November 4, 2025 meeting).
• Resolution 5B approved 25-0 in favor. The transfer will take effect January 10, 2026. Outside legal counsel will be contracted to handle CHIPS, TPR, and juvenile guardianship cases. The County will fund up to $110,000 initially, with potential additional funds from contingency if needed. State grants will offset a portion of costs.
• Next meeting: County Board meeting on November 4, 2025 (the same date as this summary, but note the discrepancy) at 6:00 p.m. for adoption of the 2026 budget.