9/16/2026 Finance Committee

Waupaca County Finance Committee meeting, September 16, 2026: The committee reviewed the Veterans Services budget, with discussion of personnel and health-insurance cost changes following a longtime employee’s retirement; a motion to approve the budget was made and seconded. The committee also considered annual reimbursement for care of veterans’ graves for the July 2025–June 2026 claim period, covering 5,070 graves. A motion on the reimbursement carried. Members were reminded that a previously approved five-year step-down of the program begins in 2027 and ends in 2031. The committee received an update on the Veteran Entrepreneurial Fund, which used $150,000 in ARPA funds to train 33 veterans or spouses; the funding has been exhausted, and staff may pursue grants for future support. No new vendor award or solicitation was identified.

The main finance discussion concerned the county’s budget outlook, capital needs, and potential borrowing. Staff cited a projected 2028 capital plan of about $11.4 million and discussed comparing two-year and three-year debt options; no borrowing decision was made. Potential needs mentioned included highway construction, the law enforcement center roof and equipment, and emergency operations center work. The committee also discussed existing funding of about $80,000 for law enforcement center chiller and cooling-tower repairs, while weighing the costs and operating savings of replacing aging equipment; no purchase was approved. Staff will bring budget and borrowing comparisons to the October 14 meeting. A hiring freeze/no new position requests was also reported.