Kenosha committee OKs state-funded positions to audit FoodShare certifications amid error-rate concern

Kenosha County moved to add state-funded staff to the Division of Workforce Development to perform quality reviews of FoodShare certifications and renewals after staff warned of a recent rise in error-rate figures.

An agency official (S2) told the committee the state requires counties to review 25% of future certifications and recertifications and described use of a precertification review tool. The presenter said Wisconsin's federal fiscal year 2025 error rate was reported at 5.72% but that the county's most recent internal figure was 7.55%, and emphasized the difference matters because the new federal formula can impose financial penalties on states when the error rate exceeds 6%.

S2 provided a broad range of estimated statewide costs cited in the presentation: "between 68,500,000 from 205,500,000 annually," and explained that the added positions would be fully state-funded and could also provide training and desk aids if common errors were discovered. The staffer said the positions are intended to improve turnaround times and accuracy so the county and consortium do not face heightened penalties.

Board members asked whether the positions would perform current work or audit prior cases; S2 said the focus is on new applications and renewals and that past issues would go to the program-integrity unit or state Office of Inspector General if fraud is suspected. Supervisors voted to approve the resolution; the chair recorded the motion as passing by voice vote.

What this means: Kenosha County will add reviewers to check a sample of FoodShare cases (25% sampling target described by staff) with the aim of lowering the error rate and avoiding federal penalties. The county stated the positions are contingent on state funding.