Winnebago County board ratifies Go EDC to administer $4.5 million housing revolving loan fund after sharp questioning

The Winnebago County Board voted to ratify an award to the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation to manage a county housing revolving loan fund financed with $3.5 million in Spirit funds and $1 million from the Industrial Development Board.

Kobe Skillinger, assistant to the county executive and a member of the four-person review committee, said the panel evaluated proposals on experience, methodology, local presence, cost and conflict-of-interest safeguards and found Go EDC offered lower administration costs across three loan-volume scenarios and stronger conflict-of-interest protections. “In most scenarios, the Go EDC proposal is better for the fund, it's better for borrowers,” Skillinger said.

Several supervisors pressed for more detail before moving forward. Supervisor Bender questioned the proposal’s fee structure and risk allocation, saying he was skeptical that administrative costs would remain as low as presented. “I just don't believe that they're going to do a million dollars with a loan for $1,500,” Bender said, arguing the county would shoulder most downside risk while Go EDC retained closing fees and a share of interest income.

Staff and Go EDC representatives responded that the $4.5 million would remain in county control until loans were approved and that a contract with specific terms — including fee limits, underwriting requirements and enforcement mechanisms — would follow the ratification. Kobe Skillinger told supervisors the advisory committee established by the county would include IDB and Spirit committee representatives plus staff to provide checks and balances and to approve or reject loan recommendations.

Board members also raised concerns about geographic equity. Supervisor Berra asked how Go EDC would ensure projects outside greater Oshkosh received attention; staff said Go EDC emphasized countywide outreach and cited examples of work in smaller communities including Winneconne and Omro.

Supervisors cited default-rate data and oversight needs. Supervisor Hansen noted national revolving-loan default averages and urged strong underwriting and monitoring. Lou Shier, the county housing grant specialist, said the program would use standard underwriting and that loans would be released on an approved, project-by-project basis rather than as a lump-sum distribution.

After discussion, the board ratified the award by voice vote. The motion to ratify was made by Supervisor Bender and seconded; the chair called the vote and the motion carried.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 17-05-2026 — Ratification of award to manage the Winnebago County Housing Revolving Loan Fund to Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation: Approved (voice vote). (motion: Supervisor Bender; second: recorded as second; block_id_start SEG 2694) - Zoning ordinance to establish county general shoreland zoning for Town of Winneconne (report 0226-002): Approved (voice vote). (motion: Supervisor Miller; block_id_start SEG 2667) - Zoning ordinance to establish county general shoreland zoning for Town of Utica (report 0226-003): Approved (voice vote). (motion: Supervisor Miller; block_id_start SEG 2680)

What happens next County staff and Go EDC will finalize a written contract and program templates, and an advisory committee will review and approve individual loan recommendations. Supervisors asked that the county include measurable performance metrics, geographic distribution tracking and explicit fee and conflict-of-interest restrictions in the forthcoming contract.

Reported context and fiscal details are taken from the county presentation: the revolving loan fund capitalization is $4.5 million in combined Spirit and IDB funds; the review team evaluated one other proposer (Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development).