County uses ARPA funds for vehicle replacement

The vehicle replacement fund for Shawano County vehicles — with the exception of the highway and human services departments — is now stocked with $1.1 million.

The Shawano County Executive Committee agreed Jan. 17 to use money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund. Shawano County Board Chairman Tom Kautza announced the decision at the Jan. 24 meeting of the Shawano County Board.

“The replacement fund is now complete for the sheriff’s department, and for all other, not highway and not DHS, but all other county departments that have any vehicles or access to vehicles, and even puts in lawnmowers,” Kautza said.

The highway and human services departments have other means to replace their vehicles, which is why they are not part of this plan, he explained.

“These were things before that they (department heads) would put forward like to CIP (capital improvement program) for a lawnmower replacement, a snowblower, things like that, to where this way it’s all in one budget, and you’re planning ahead for that instead of just waiting,” Kautza said.

The chairman said the county still has about $1.5 million remaining in ARPA funds. Jim Davel, county administrative coordinator, said the county must allocate the funds before the end of 2024.

The Legislative Fiscal Bureau reports the county received $7,944,151 in ARPA funds.

Kautza said the county previously used the funds to finance emergency repairs and equipment replacement.

Kautza also reported the committee approved plans for a new roof and additional insulation for the Crawford Center, the contract is not to exceed $400,000.

The Shawano County Public Property Committee endorsed a base bid of $243,000 from Mathena Roofing and Sheetmetal. The executive committee discussed and debated two alternate projects for another $130,000.

The first alternate project was the removal and replacement of gutters and downspouts. Second was an additional 4 inches of insulation on the roof.

“We’re going to continue to work the hockey club volunteer to put some effort forward to help try and make that a more profitable venue, so the county isn’t just throwing money into a money pit,” Kautza said.

Finally, a new committee is being formed by the human services department. It will also involve the sheriff’s department and the county drug court.

The Shawano County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) will bring stakeholders in the criminal justice system and members of the public together to discuss issues affecting the system, resolve problems and plan for the future. The CJCC will act in an advisory capacity on issues affecting the criminal justice system.

“Basically, they’re going to have a committee to try and coordinate all that between everybody, but that committee doesn’t have any authority to do anything,” Kautza said. “That sounds like typical government, but if we’re going to continue to get the funding for drug court, we have to form that committee.”

Among the functions of the CJCC will be to make suggestions for more efficient use of resources, provide ongoing oversight for new or alternative programs and continue the work of the jail alternatives ad hoc study committee, including refining and monitoring its recommendations for alternatives to incarceration that may help in reducing the average daily population at the jail.

kpasson@newmedia-wi.com