DHS Board Meeting

The Waupaca County Department of Human Services Board met on October 7, 2026 (the metadata lists October 8). The board reviewed RFP 26-006-32 for specialized transportation for seniors and people with disabilities. Two responses were discussed: Phoenix/VIA and Resilience Transportation Services. Staff described a $30,000 county match for the Phoenix/VIA option, compared with a county cost exceeding $100,000 for Resilience, and cited $148,000 in expected 2027 grant funding for the program. Public commenters urged the county to retain its local volunteer-driver approach, citing service quality and responsiveness. The board voted on the RFP item, but the transcript does not clearly identify the exact motion or which vendor, if any, was selected; it does not establish a specific contract award.

The board approved the proposed 2027 DHS rates and budget. The budget was presented with a projected 3% decrease in the tax levy, or $121,534, to approximately $4,464,917; discussion included Medicaid cost-report revenue, grant and indirect-cost allocations, and uncertainty around high-cost placements. Members also discussed limits on home-delivered meal service under the proposed budget and noted that requested positions would not advance for 2027. The board separately approved out-of-state travel for a DHS employee transporting a youth. No contract amount or final vendor award was clearly recorded in the transcript.