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ADRC of Eagle Country to explore dissolving four‑county region and reapplying as three‑county region
Summary
Sauk County’s review prompted Richland, Crawford and Juneau counties to propose dissolving the four‑county ADRC and reapplying as a three‑county region; the HHS board authorized staff to pursue the change and sign necessary paperwork.
Richland County Health and Human Services members voted to authorize HHS leadership to work with the ADRC of Eagle Country regional office to pursue dissolving the existing four‑county region and reapply as a three‑county region with Juneau County as fiscal agent.
Why it matters: The region funds aging and disability resource center operations across four counties (Richland, Crawford, Juneau, Sauk). Board members and the regional director said the current funding model allocates substantially more resources to Sauk County and leaves Richland with comparatively less funding, constraining local staffing and salary adjustments.
Regional director John Groetch explained the voluntary regional model and the mechanics for reconfiguring it. He told the committee the proposed three‑county region would increase the region’s net allocation by roughly $56,000–$57,000 and, when federal matching dollars are included, yield a fiscal gain of more than $80,000 for the consolidated region. Those funds, he said, could be used to stabilize salaries and preserve staff positions.
At the meeting HHS staff presented the county‑level allocations under both the current four‑county configuration and a hypothetical three‑county configuration. Committee members discussed timing: if the counties give notice to the state by Sept. 1 and file a new application by Oct. 1, a newly configured three‑county region could take effect Jan. 1.
The board passed a motion authorizing HHS director Tricia Clements (name used in meeting transcript) and the ADRC manager to work with the regional office, to prepare and file any necessary documentation, and to sign paperwork to dissolve the four‑county region and reapply as a three‑county region if appropriate. The motion passed by voice vote.
Members said the decision is intended to preserve local services without adding county levy and to avoid abrupt staffing shortfalls that might occur if the four‑county region’s fiscal posture remains unchanged. The board directed staff to report updates and draft the necessary resolutions for County Board consideration.
