Health & Human Services Board - Regular Meeting — Minutes

Chippewa County Health & Human Services Board Regular Meeting July 16, 2026 Chippewa County Courthouse, Room 302 8:00 AM 1. Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 08:00 AM. 2. Roll Call Members Present: Kari Ives, James Ericksen, Pam Guthman, Dennis Bachman, John Halbleib, Sandy Frohling, MD, Marcia Kyes Members Absent: Lee Hennick, Robert Bullwinkel, MD Others Present: County Administrator Andy Albarado; Public Health Staff: Brittnay Fortuna, Sarah McQuillan, Allie Isaacson; Human Services Staff: Bobbie Jaeger, Paul Brenner, Jordan Hallingstad, Kyra Secraw, Brandi Engel 3. Members of the Public Wishing to Be Heard (Comments will be limited to 5 minutes per speaker.) There were no members of the public wishing to be heard. 4. Consent Agenda (Unless separation of an item is requested, all items will be adopted under one motion.) Motion: Approved Result: Passed (7 - 0) Mover: Pam Guthman Seconder: James Ericksen Ayes: Kari Ives, James Ericksen, Pam Guthman, Dennis Bachman, John Halbleib, Sandy Frohling, MD, Marcia Kyes Nayes: None Absent: Lee Hennick, Robert Bullwinkel, MD 1. Approve the Agenda 2. Approve the Minutes - June 18, 2026 3. Schedule Next Meeting Date - August 20, 2026 5. Reports 1. Human Services Director’s Program and Financial Report - Bobbie Jaeger Human Services Director Bobbie Jaeger presented the Human Services Program and Financial Report. Jaeger highlighted several items from her report: the Child Care Bridge payments expired June 30th — 75% of providers surveyed say they will need to raise rates in response, and it is likely to affect families and employers; the State sent out letters with SSI information to outdated addresses; Wisconsin was one of nine states in the country with an error rate below 6% avoiding up to $205M in cost-sharing penalties; the ADRC received a $30,810 grant which will go towards equipment and expanding access to the Meals on Wheels program; CPS received a foster parent retention grant of $5,000; four consumers graduated from the Community Support Program; Great Rivers Consortium caseloads are up while calls to the call center are down suggesting questions are being answered effectively in fewer calls. 2. Public Health Director’s Program and Financial Report - Brittnay Fortuna Public Health Director Brittnay Fortuna presented the Public Health Program and Financial Report. Fortuna highlighted several items from her report: the Administrative team is busy planning for the budget season; the Community Health division had the opportunity to participate on a panel at the PATH Conference to discuss approaches for expanding access to harm reduction; staff continue to monitor outbreaks for Ebola and the New World Screw Worm - risk remains low in our area at this time; staff are working on a heat-related illness advisory campaign; AirNow is a beneficial website for air quality monitoring; there were 128 new communicable disease reports in June–30 were confirmed; Environmental Health staff are in the field daily completing inspections and water testing; over half of the farmer's market checks have been distributed; the ForwardHealth grant ended on June 30th; there is a blood July 22nd to help with the emergency shortage; accreditation is on track and 81% of evidence has been submitted. 3. 2027 Budget Update - Andy Albarado County Administrator Andy Albarado provided an update on the process for the 2027 budget season. 6. Business Items 1. Human Services Financial User Fees - Bobbie Jaeger Senior Fiscal Manager Paul Brenner presented the consumer user fees for approval. Motion: Approved Result: Passed (7 - 0) Mover: John Halbleib Seconder: Pam Guthman Ayes: Kari Ives, James Ericksen, Pam Guthman, Dennis Bachman, John Halbleib, Sandy Frohling, MD, Marcia Kyes Nayes: None Absent: Lee Hennick, Robert Bullwinkel, MD 2. Human Services 2027 Budget - Bobbie Jaeger/Paul Brenner Human Services Director Bobbie Jaeger presented a department budget overview. The total levy proposed remains the same as 2026. 2027 challenges include annual salary increases for all staff, a stagnant levy, the unknown impacts of Medicaid changes, and an unpredictable number of out-of-home placements, along with rising costs of placements. DHS is seeking to add a part-time social worker in Adult Protective Services. The Human Services 2026 budget was approved to forward to the County Administrator. Motion: Approved Result: Passed (7 - 0) Mover: Pam Guthman Seconder: Dennis Bachman Ayes: Kari Ives, James Ericksen, Pam Guthman, Dennis Bachman, John Halbleib, Sandy Frohling, MD, Marcia Kyes Nayes: None Absent: Lee Hennick, Robert Bullwinkel, MD 3. Public Health 2027 Budget - Brittnay Fortuna/Sarah McQuillan Public Health Director Brittnay Fortuna shared the proposed 2027 Budget. The total levy proposed is an increase of $139 from 2026. 2027 challenges include uncertainty of state and federal funding, and ensuring public funds are used strategically to achieve the greatest impact for the community. Public Health is seeking to increase their LTE position into a part-time position in the Environmental Health Division. The Public Health 2026 budget was approved to forward to the County Administrator. Motion: Approved Result: Passed (7 - 0) Mover: James Ericksen Seconder: Marcia Kyes Ayes: Kari Ives, James Ericksen, Pam Guthman, Dennis Bachman, John Halbleib, Sandy Frohling, MD, Marcia Kyes Nayes: None Absent: Lee Hennick, Robert Bullwinkel, MD 7. Agenda Items for Future Consideration 8. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at: 09:20 AM. Result: Passed (7 - 0) Mover: James Ericksen Seconder: Sandy Frohling, MD Ayes: Kari Ives, James Ericksen, Pam Guthman, Dennis Bachman, John Halbleib, Sandy Frohling, MD, Marcia Kyes Absent: Lee Hennick, Robert Bullwinkel, MD