Richland County committee elects leadership, approves provider contract increases, grants and penalty payment

Sandy Kramer was elected chair and Larry Engle was elected vice chair of the Richland County Community and Health Services Standing Committee during the committee's Oct. 2 meeting.

The committee approved multiple administrative items by voice vote, including a contract amendment for a CCS provider, acceptance of a state specialized transportation grant application, an annual vehicle memorandum of understanding with Pine Valley Community Village, a resolution urging state assistance to offset SNAP-related fiscal impacts, and payment of a federal penalty tied to a recent survey of county long-term care services.

The leadership vote completed early in the meeting. Committee members moved by voice votes to appoint Kramer as chair and Engle as vice chair; the committee recorded voice approvals without a roll-call tally.

On contract matters, the committee approved an amendment increasing the estimated 2025 contract amount for Red Maple Consulting Services, a county CCS (Comprehensive Community Services) provider. Committee materials show the original contract was estimated at $150,000, and staff projected total 2025 use at roughly $220,000; the provider is paid at $159.26 per hour. Health and Human Services staff said these services are 100% reimbursed through Medicaid. A motion to approve the amendment was made and approved by voice vote.

The committee also approved the annual application for the specialized transportation grant from the State of Wisconsin. The grant total shown in committee materials is $79,889 with a required county match of $15,978 (20%). The award supports medical rides through the county's volunteer driver program and helps support the county bus program.

Members approved the 2026 vehicle memorandum of understanding with Pine Valley Community Village, which continues an arrangement under which Pine Valley assumes upkeep and insurance for a vehicle supplied under a prior grant; the memorandum is renewed annually.

The committee passed a resolution urging the state to provide funding to offset county fiscal impacts caused by recent federal SNAP (FoodShare) changes and to work with counties on adequate administrative resources. Staff described two primary concerns: a potential increase in county liability if case error rates rise and a proposed reduction in administrative reimbursement from a historic "50 cents on the dollar" to "25 cents on the dollar" for some overages. The resolution was approved by voice vote.

Finally, the committee approved payment of a federal civil money penalty of $114,440 tied to a recent state survey finding noncompliance related to change-of-condition documentation in two resident incidents. Staff said the finding stemmed from documentation and scope-of-practice issues; the department proposed spreading the payment over three months to reduce immediate cash flow impact.

All above items were approved by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tallies noted in the meeting record.

Votes at a glance

- Election: Sandy Kramer — Committee chair (voice vote; approved) - Election: Larry Engle — Committee vice chair (voice vote; approved) - Contract amendment: Red Maple Consulting Services — increase to projected 2025 contract (motion made; voice vote approved). Contract terms discussed: original estimate $150,000; projected need ~$220,000; provider hourly rate $159.26; services 100% Medicaid-reimbursed. - Grant application: 2025 Specialized Transportation (State of Wisconsin) — total $79,889; county match $15,978 (20%) (motion made; voice vote approved). - Memorandum of Understanding: 2026 vehicle MOU with Pine Valley Community Village — annual renewal; Pine Valley covers upkeep/insurance/title/registration (motion made; voice vote approved). - Resolution: Urging state funding to offset SNAP/FoodShare fiscal impacts and restore administrative reimbursement (motion made; voice vote approved). - Payment authorization: Civil money penalty for facility survey — $114,440; staff proposed payment spread over three months (motion made; voice vote approved).

Committee chair Kramer opened the meeting and presided over routine motions and roll-call attendance before the items above were taken up. Several items were described as routine or previously vetted by the county's Transportation Coordinating Committee and thus moved with little additional discussion.

A full transcript of the meeting and committee packet are available from Richland County; motions and staff reports recorded in committee materials were the primary sources for the actions summarized here.