Richland County Health & Human Services presented its 2024 annual report and first-quarter 2025 budget summaries to the Community and Health Services Standing Committee, reporting a surplus in core operations driven in part by Wisconsin Medicaid cost-report reimbursements and timing of tax-levy recognition.

HHS Director Stephanie Ramfelt and managers described the department's work in administrative and financial services, human resources, and technology. The department began implementing the Tyler financial system for payroll and vendor reporting; payroll is now running through Tyler and a new employee portal is in use. Ramfelt noted a small number of import glitches that are being corrected.

The department credited a strong WIMCARE (Wisconsin Medicaid cost reporting) reconciliation for much of the surplus and said some 2025 figures reflect prorated tax-levy calculations; Ramfelt cautioned that the surplus figure should not be considered fully available for new spending until later budget reviews.

Unit managers identified priority resource needs for the 2026 budget cycle: augmenting public health staffing to move managers into less hands-on roles; additional adult protective services/crisis staff given a near-tripling of APS referrals in recent years; and consideration for a community support program to provide higher-intensity, daily community supports (a program that is 60/40 county/Medicaid funded under current arrangements). Ramfelt said managers will work with administration and the county financial team on the 2026 draft budget and that the draft typically returns to the committee for review before the administrator presents a final county-wide budget to the full board.

The report also listed contracts over $10,000, summarized placements and utilization rates for placement funds, and highlighted administrative support for the broader county health and human services work. Ramfelt said the finance and business manager position remains vacant and she is currently performing those duties in the interim.

The committee discussed next steps, including putting 2026 budget planning on a future meeting agenda and pursuing creative service models where possible.