County announces $3.155M federal earmark for radio upgrades; wellness court wound down as federal funding wavered
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Summary
County administrator reported a $3,155,000 earmark for new radio equipment to upgrade emergency communications, receipt of $146,000 from Bad River for law-enforcement services, and that federal funding uncertainty forced winding down the county''s wellness treatment court; the county plans to pursue a state TAG grant to reopen the program.
County administration reported several significant administrative developments during the meeting.
Administration announced Ashland County will receive a $3,155,000 federal earmark secured through U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin''s request to fund new radio equipment and upgrades to county towers and vehicles to enable next-generation 911 interoperability. County staff said the earmark will allow upgrades county taxpayers otherwise would have had to fund.
The county also reported receiving $146,000 from the Bad River Band for law-enforcement services covering two years; staff indicated the tribe is expected to apply again for a similar payment next year.
County administration said federal funding for a staff position tied to FEMA had become uncertain and, in a separate funding reversal for the wellness treatment court, funding was revoked, reinstated and revoked again; as a result the wellness court program was wound down, participants resentenced and the grant returned to SAMHSA. County leaders said they intend to apply for a state TAG grant to seek restoration of the program in the next year, but that reopening depends on receiving that state grant.
Administration also introduced Caroline Plame as the county''s new financial supervisor.
In supervisor reports, zoning committee members noted growing interest from private developers in solar farms and suggested the county proactively study zoning, moratoria or regulations to prepare for potential projects.
What happens next: Emergency management and finance staff will begin implementation planning for the radio upgrades; the wellness court will remain closed for the remainder of the year while the county pursues state funding to re-establish it.
