Richland County HHS opens 2026 budget hearing; staff outlines unit updates and grant plans

The Richland County Health and Human Services standing committee opened a public hearing to solicit comments for development of the department’s 2026 budget and plan, then received unit-level program updates and grant-notification plans from staff.

The committee chair declared the public hearing open and read procedural instructions, saying the hearing’s purpose is “to solicit comments by the public regarding the services and programs of the Richland County Health and Human Services to assist in the development of our 2026 budget and plan.” After asking three times if any member of the public wished to speak and receiving no response, the chair declared the public hearing portion closed.

HHS staff reviewed written unit updates included in the meeting packet and highlighted several items. On Aging and Disability Resource Center services, staff said the nutrition program “continues to go strong” and the department has added an on-call nutrition site worker/transportation driver to maintain service continuity when regular staff call in. Behavioral health staff were described as “busy,” and staff said they have county administrator permission to apply for the State Opioid Response grant, which the department has received in prior years. Staff noted no local board match was required for that application.

Staff also reported a scholarship awarded to an early-intervention (birth-to-3) case manager to attend an infant mental health capstone at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Child and youth services reported successful reunifications, one discharge from residential placement back to a parent, and receipt of a one-time grant to purchase necessities such as clothing, diapers and car seats for families when other funding sources prohibit those purchases.

On budgeting, staff said recent state budget actions were “better news than we were anticipating,” with fewer administrative-dollar cuts than had been feared, but that some federal eligibility-related proposals could affect programs such as FoodShare. Staff flagged a possible reduction to the 50/50 match on FoodShare beyond the department’s base allocation, citing a figure mentioned in the meeting as “$75.25” and said that possibility will be considered while building the 2026 budget. The department said it received budget objectives and guidance from the county administrator the morning of the meeting and will meet next week to work on the departmental submission.

Staff confirmed procedural timing: the department expects to finalize and turn in its budget package by the 18th of the month and said it will present a summary to the committee at the next meeting. The staff member also said they are preparing opioid grant application materials and expect to notify the committee and community about application timing in coming weeks.

The committee did not receive any public speakers during the hearing; the chair closed the public hearing segment and moved the meeting to regular public comment and business items.

Ending: The committee set its next regular meeting for Aug. 7 at 9:30 a.m.; staff said they will return with a budget summary and with notices for opioid-grant application opportunities.