Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors Meeting – April 28, 2026
Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors Meeting – April 28, 2026
The Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors met on April 28, 2026, with 23 supervisors present (Supervisors Fenric, Rodman, and Hurlash excused, with Hurlash joining later). The meeting included three proclamations, approval of numerous committee appointments, three resolutions, and an extensive presentation and discussion on the future of the county’s acute inpatient psychiatric unit.
Consent Calendar
- Proclamations: Three proclamations were approved unanimously:
- Designating May 3–9, 2026, as Correctional Employees Week.
- Designating the week of May 15, 2026, as National Police Week.
- Designating May 17, 2026, as No Menthol Sunday in Fond du Lac County.
- Appointments: The board approved committee appointments (2026–2028 term) from the Committee on Committees, and appointments by County Executive Sam Kaufman to boards, commissions, and committees (149 appointments total) with noted address corrections.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Johanna Bratz (Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Control Coordinator, Fond du Lac County Health Department) accepted the No Menthol Sunday proclamation, explaining that menthol makes cigarettes more addictive and is heavily targeted by tobacco companies toward African Americans and youth.
- Phyllis Towsey (Chairwoman, Brothertown Indian Nation) thanked the board for supporting the resolution and provided an update: a U.S. Senator has offered to introduce a bill in the Senate, but a House sponsor (preferably Representative Grothman) is still needed. She invited board members to visit the tribe’s cultural center and participate in events.
Discussion Items
- Resolution Supporting Brothertown Indian Nation’s Federal Recognition: Supervisor Brault read a letter sent to Representative Grothman detailing the tribe’s history and the unique hurdle of needing an act of Congress to restore recognition. Supervisor Griffith expressed support, noting the historical wrong of the termination policy. The resolution was adopted unanimously (24-0).
- Resolution Accepting ARPA Grant for Keeping Kids Safe and Putting Families First Initiative: Authorized acceptance of $126,048 from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families for a program supporting families. Supervisor Brault asked about future funding; Jerry (department director) confirmed it is one-time funding replacing a state grant cut. Approved unanimously (24-0).
- Resolution Accepting DOJ Crisis Intervention Program Grant: Authorized acceptance of $51,993 to fund a temporary crisis intervention specialist position. Supervisor Hurlash asked about interest in the position; Jerry noted internal interest was rescinded due to lack of benefits. Approved by voice vote (unanimous).
- Presentation and Discussion on the Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Unit: Jerry, director of human services, presented a detailed recommendation to withdraw from operating the county’s 16-bed acute psychiatric unit and instead enhance community crisis services. Key points:
- The unit opened in 1982 as 25 beds, downsized to 16 in recent years to allow Medicaid billing.
- Average daily census declined from 12.51 in 2021 to 8.37 in 2025, with only about 5 Fond du Lac County residents per day.
- The unit has ongoing staffing difficulties, relying on contract nurses at $90/hour vs. county RN salary of $40.19/hour; contract staff costs were $528,000 in 2025 and projected to rise to $1.2 million in 2026.
- The county’s cost for the unit in 2025 was approximately $1.5 million.
- Proposed alternative: add crisis staff (behavioral health case manager, second shift worker, third shift grant-funded position, part-time weekend workers) and contract for out-of-county transportation.
- Estimated cost of enhanced crisis services plus hospitalization/transportation: $1.5–$2 million per year, comparable to current unit costs.
- The recommendation does not save money but shifts resources to community-based care.
- Supervisors raised concerns about transportation, law enforcement impact, loss of local resource, and potential partnerships with SSM Health. County Executive Kaufman noted a meeting with SSM is scheduled for May.
- Jerry recommended the Health and Human Development Committee (possibly jointly with Human Services Board) take up the issue further, rather than an ad hoc committee, to produce a recommendation. The board took no vote on the recommendation.
Key Outcomes
- All three proclamations approved unanimously (23-0 or 24-0).
- Committee appointments approved (23-0).
- Resolution supporting Brothertown Indian Nation’s federal recognition adopted unanimously (24-0).
- Resolution accepting ARPA grant approved (24-0).
- Resolution accepting DOJ grant approved by voice vote (unanimous).
- No action taken on the acute unit proposal; discussion to continue in committee(s). The board adjourned at approximately [time not given].
Note: The meeting concluded with reminders of committee meetings immediately following and an announcement that the next county board meeting is scheduled for May 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening, everyone. We will have the presentation of colors, followed by a moment of silence. Thank you, gentlemen. Okay. Uh the corner, we roll call this evening. We have actually twenty three or twenty two supervisors present with Supervisor Fenric Rodman and Hurlash excused, but Supervisor Hurlash will be joining us later. Uh as I'll uh point out the obvious, obviously everybody has new seats this evening, so uh it's a little bit different. Uh explain it just a little bit. Um we haven't had changed seating in a long time. Everybody's kind of been sitting in the same numerical order based upon district. Felt that it was probably time to shake things up a little bit, so in order to do it as randomly as possible, the county clerk and myself last week drew names out of a hat and in our case a box because we did not have a hat. But so it's as random as we could get it at uh if there's at some point enough desire, we can do this again. Um but I'd like you to give it uh a good six months before we uh make that call. So thank you for the patience. All right. Go ahead and start. Uh you normally go ahead. Yeah, yeah. Okay. The first time on tonight's agenda is we have a couple of proclamations. And then our first one is item one A, a proclamation designating May three through nine, twenty twenty six as correctional employees week in Fond du Lac County. Okay, as our tradition, I will read the proclamations this evening. Whereas in nineteen eighty-four, President Ronald Reagan issued proclamation five one eight seven declaring the week beginning May sixth, nineteen eighty-four is National Correctional Officers Week. Established by Senate joint resolution of Congress one thirty-two, it is designated the week beginning May sixth, nineteen eighty-four as National Correctional Officers Week. And whereas the members of the Fondalac County Sheriff's Office Jail Division are called upon to fill simultaneously custodial, supervisory, medical, and counseling roles. And whereas each correctional officer and civilian jail employees serves Fonalac County with respect, fairness, and compassion during the performance of their duty. Now therefore I, Stephen A. Abel, chair of the Fondalac County Board, and I Sam Kaufman, Fonalac County Executive, on behalf of the citizens of Fonalac County, do hereby honor and thank these public servants whose diligence and professionalism keep our communities and citizens safe. Motion by Supervisor Dean Will, su second by Supervisor Simon. Are there any questions or comments on the on the proclamation? Questions or comments? Uh we're struggling a little bit to get the motions entered again. Okay. I think we had this. We had this last week. I think it was an upgrade, and I'm losing if you can close your app and open it back up. Let's try that first. I think that worked for a few people last week. Okay, Supervisor Dean Will, I got you. Okay. All right. The proclamation has been approved. Twenty-two in favor and none opposed. Um I'm not sure who's here from the jail to accept the proclamation, but if you'd come on down and I'll give you a copy. So it means a lot to us. Thank you. Okay. Whereas in 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officer's Memorial Day, and the calendar week in which May 15th falls as National Police Week. Established by joint resolution of Congress in nineteen sixty-two, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. And whereas the members of the Fondalac County Sheriff's Office play an essential role in promoting the safety, security, and general well-being of all people while safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the citizens and visitors of Fond du Lac County.
openpublica.com