Winnebago County Executive candidates outline differing priorities on budget, homelessness and public health

Oshkosh — Incumbent Winnebago County Executive John Damel and challengers Gordon Hintz and John Motz laid out competing approaches to county finances, homelessness, public health and addiction services at a League of Women Voters forum in Oshkosh on Feb. 12, the candidates said. The three are running in the Feb. 18 primary; the top two will advance to the April 1 general election.

Damel, who identified himself as the incumbent county executive, said his immediate priorities include publishing ongoing fund balances for departments, making the federally funded HELP eviction-prevention program permanent, and finishing a strategic plan and facilities master plan so the county can move to priority-based budgeting. "We're going to be posting ongoing fund balances for every department," Damel said, describing his transparency measures and saying the HELP pilot will be made permanent.

The nut graf: The forum focused on how the county should respond to short-term needs (refugee resettlement and winter shelter) and long-term fiscal challenges (deferred maintenance and structural budget deficits). Candidates agreed on the need for better transparency and program evaluation but differed on whether to pursue a county sales tax and on how to control spending.

Most important facts first: Hintz, a former state lawmaker, emphasized restoring communication between the executive's office, the county board, municipalities and the public. He listed five first-day priorities including meeting board members and municipal leaders, protecting funding for the HELP program after federal funds end, and addressing staffing at Parkview, the county-operated nursing facility. "If we're going to have a priority-based process, we need to find ways to engage the public," Hintz said.

Motz, the county sheriff, emphasized operational oversight and program evaluation. He said his early actions would set expectations for department heads and quickly evaluate programs for effectiveness and potential elimination. Motz described the county jail's STAR (Sobriety Treatment Addiction Recovery) program and said it had produced measurable reductions in recidivism for participants who stay in contact with a sobriety coach.

Candidates on refugees and emergency response: The candidates described a recent federal pause in refugee resettlement funding and the county's short-term response. Damel said county staff emailed department heads immediately and explored using college dorms, Parkview and the Sunnyview Expo Center for emergency shelter; he said the county offered to step in with case management through World Relief to operate a 90-day transition plan if needed. Hintz stressed ongoing partnerships with nonprofits and warned the county must be prepared if the funding cut returns. Motz said some federal funding was restored and reiterated the need to leverage nonprofit services.

Addiction, public health and homelessness: All three candidates said addiction and mental-health services are county priorities. Damel described expanding same-day counseling, a State Street drop-in center and embedding social workers with police. He also defended the county needle exchange program as a touchpoint to connect people to treatment and credited Narcan distribution for saving lives. Motz highlighted the STAR program and an emerging host program for habitual offenders, saying these jail-based and outreach programs reduce recidivism and can be models other counties study. Hintz called for support of evidence-based public-health practice and backing for public-health leaders.

Budget, transparency and a possible sales tax: Candidates acknowledged long-running budget challenges. Damel said past budgets produced a structural deficit across several years but that recent administrative changes and a new finance director are correcting accounting and transparency issues; he would not veto a county sales tax if the board passed it. Hintz said a local option sales tax should be considered only after the county addresses recurring deficits and obtains clearer, transparent financials; he emphasized property-tax relief as the authorized purpose under state law. Motz opposed a sales tax to balance operations and instead proposed program evaluations, filling some vacancies differently, and seeking revenue by charging outside counties for jail beds and by better utilizing Parkview capacity.

Labor and personnel issues: In response to a question about a possible repeal of Act 10 (2011 Wisconsin law affecting collective bargaining), candidates said the county would need to negotiate contracts if collective-bargaining rights returned. Hintz framed repeal as an opportunity to recruit and retain employees; Damel said the county has improved pay and benefits and is treating employees better; Motz said negotiations would start from current conditions and that law-enforcement and fire units already have special bargaining status.

Ending: The forum, moderated by Margie Davie of the League of Women Voters and with Karen Schneider of the Oshkosh Herald on the panel, covered many operational and policy areas that will be central to the Feb. 18 primary. Voters can find additional candidate information at vote411.org and are reminded that polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 18.