The Ashland County finance committee approved a set of funding and policy items at its December meeting, including support for a state grant to update public‑safety radios and a change in documentation required from outside nonprofit applicants.

Erica, who presented the radio grant, told the committee the county can apply for funding to update law‑enforcement radios to the 700/800 MHz Wiscom standard and that the application requires a 20% match. "This grant is specifically ... the one that we can apply for is for radios and or for updating radios that we already own ..." Erica said, and staff described an example award of $40,000 that would require a $10,000 local match. The committee voted to approve a resolution supporting the application and the local match plan (motion by Blake Ellison, second by Brad Ray); the motion carried by voice vote.

Separately, the committee voted to add required documentation for nonprofit grant applicants: a current list of board members with contact information, the most recent IRS Form 990 (if applicable), and bylaws. Chair and other members framed the change as a transparency and fraud‑prevention measure; one member suggested drafting a generic contract with corporate counsel to spell out performance terms and allow the county to rescind funds if recipients do not comply.

The committee also approved a LaPointe department funding request, with members noting the funds (including opioid settlement monies) can be put to visible local uses such as training. A public commenter earlier in the meeting, Louis Valance, had asked the county to consider a letter of support for an Amtrak service extension; staff said the chair would follow up by email.

All measures listed here were approved by voice votes during the meeting; staff were directed to proceed with follow‑up implementation steps where applicable.