Wausau–Marathon County task force urges quick RFP and shared funding to keep '365 Shelter' open ahead of May 1 deadline

Members of the Joint City of Wausau–Marathon County Homelessness Task Force said Tuesday they need a prompt, joint city-and-county approach to fund and issue a request for proposals to replace operations now run by Catholic Charities, which the task force heard will stop providing shelter services on May 1.

The issue is urgent because, Chief Barnes said, "we have an exigent issue of shelter ends on May 1," and the task force must draft measurable performance standards and an RFP immediately so the community can solicit proposals, evaluate responses and negotiate a contract before that date.

Task force members said the county board has asked for clearer performance standards, capacity targets and billing safeguards before committing public dollars. Chair Robinson said committee members wanted to know "what sort of performance standards, expectations, service delivery, outcomes would there be? Is it serving 30 people a night? Is it 45 people a night?" Robinson described the current situation as a "chicken and egg conundrum" between seeing a concrete RFP and securing a county funding commitment.

Why it matters: Task force members and city staff told the committee they believe an ongoing shelter is needed to maintain recent improvements in public safety and service outcomes. Without an interim shelter after May 1, officials said encampments under bridges and in parks are likely to increase and police will lack alternatives when enforcing ordinances.

What the task force recommended and discussed

- Short-term funding ask…