COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025
A. Call to Order
Chairman Thomas Egan called the meeting of the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors to order at 6:00 P.M. from the Winnebago County Courthouse, 415 Jackson Street, Oshkosh, Wisconsin and virtually by TEAMS.
B. Roll Call
The following Supervisors were present: 32 – Dowling, Laux, Ulbricht, Holt, Reinke, Hancock-Cooke, Wise, Nussbaum, Paterson, Gabert (left at 8:04 pm), Binder, Swan, Gilbertson, Mueller, Ponzer, Belville (via Teams), Macho, Hinz, Zellmer, Buck, Powers, Hanson, Cox, Gustafson, Bureau, Farrey, Harrison, Frassetto, Egan, O'Brien, Nelson and Miller;
Excused: 2 – Lutz and Stafford; Absent: 1 – Halbur; Vacant – 1.
C. Pledge of Allegiance
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
D. Invocation
The invocation was given by Supervisor Powers.
E. Adopt Agenda
Motion by Supervisor Farrey, seconded by Supervisor Hanson, to adopt the agenda for tonight's meeting. CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE.
F. Public Comments
Tina Haffeman and Sara Kosmicki both spoke in anticipation of the presentation on the High Frequency Low Severity (HFLS) Program being presented by Deputy District Attorney Christian Gossett. They pointed out a couple of things that they wanted everyone to know and encouraged the board to reach out to members of the Winnebagoland Housing Coalition and staff at agencies that are working with the unhoused community for a more complete picture of the issues facing the community.
G. Communications from the County Clerk
Julie Barthels, Winnebago County Clerk, presented the following communications:
Ms. Barthels informed the board that the County Clerk's Office put a copy of the new set of the county board rules that were adopted by the County Board on their desks. She asked the board members if they find any errors, to please let the County Clerk's Office know so they can get them corrected and reprinted.
Julie Barthels, County Clerk, read a "Thank You" card to the board from Bryce Dorn, a 2025 Winnebago County Board of Supervisors Scholarship recipient.
H. Reports from Committees, Commissions and Boards
Supervisor Binder attended the NACo conference and updated the board on information he heard and learned at the conference that included updates on municipal bonds, Medicaid and the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) program. Mr. Binder stated it was not great news, but it is better to know what you're up against so they can plan for some of the cuts that will be coming.
Supervisor Powers informed the board that there will be a dedication of the Hmong monument at the County Park taking place on August 30, 2025, at 9:00 am. She mentioned that the Hmong dedication would be part of the opening ceremony.
I. County Executive's Report and Appointments
Gordon Hintz, County Executive, commented and provided updates on the following topics:
1. UW Fox
2. State & Federal Budget Updates
3. County Budget Process
4. NACo Conference Report
5. Update on County Outreach Efforts
Executive Hintz then took questions from the board.
Gordon Hintz, County Executive, asked for the board's approval of the following appointments:
ARPA Strategy & Outcomes Commission:
Appointments of Sean Fitzgerald, Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Director; Brandon Hennes, City of Omro Administrator; and Don Merkes, former Mayor of the City of Menasha as Citizen Members.
Motion by Supervisor Binder, seconded by Supervisor Ulbricht, to accept. CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE. (Abstain: 1 – Cox)
Supervisor Dowling expressed disappointment with the previous three citizen members that chose to leave.
Board of Adjustment:
Reappointment of Greg Kargus as a Citizen Member to a 3-year term expiring on June 30, 2028.
Motion by Supervisor Powers, seconded by Supervisor Buck, to accept. CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE.
J. County Board Chair's Report and Appointments
Chairman Egan reported that Supervisors Lutz and Stafford were excused from tonight's meeting.
Chairman Egan, asked for the board's approval of the following appointments:
Winnebago County Board of Supervisors, District 23:
Brenda Pluchinsky, 2430 Sandstone Court, Oshkosh
Brenda Pluchinsky will complete the unexpired term of Koby Schellenger who resigned from the board. Her term will begin immediately and end on April 21, 2026.
Motion by Supervisor Nussbaum, seconded by Supervisor Reinke, to approve. CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE.
Brenda Pluchinsky introduced herself and gave a brief introduction to the board. Ms. Pluchinsky then took questions from the board.
Chairman Egan administered the Oath of Office to Brenda Pluchinsky, and she was seated as Winnebago County Board Supervisor District 23.
Park View Health Center Committee:
Supervisor Brenda Pluchinsky, District 23
Motion by Supervisor Powers, seconded by Supervisor Reinke, to approve. CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE.
Chairman Egan acknowledged and thanked Rhys Philips, who will be leaving at the end of the month, for everything he has done, helping the Board members, Corporation Counsel, County Clerk's Office and the Executive's Office.
Rhys Philips thanked the board for the opportunity to work with them during the time he worked for Winnebago County.
K. Presentations
1. Presentation of the High Frequency Low Severity (HFLS) Program by Chairman Conley Hanson and Deputy District Attorney Christian Gossett.
Supervisor Hanson introduced Christian Gossett, Deputy District Attorney, to present the High Frequency Low Severity Program.
Christian Gossett, Deputy District Attorney, gave a presentation on the High Frequency Low Severity (HFLS) Program and the "Unhoused" Population.
Attorney Gossett informed the board that to qualify as a habitual offender in Wisconsin, you have to have 1 felony or 3 separate misdemeanor convictions within 5 years and be 17 years old or older.
Mr. Gossett presented three high frequency offender examples. A high-frequency offender would have the following criminal events: 9 referrals in 3 years; 12 referrals in 4 years; 15 referrals in 5 years; and 25 years old or older. They have two distinct problems to solve: Unhoused – Pro-Social, and Unhoused – Anti-Social.
Attorney Gossett provided percentages of recidivism and the financial impact that it has on Winnebago County. Mr. Gossett mentioned that their goal is to help those who need assistance and are willing to utilize that assistance to improve their situation.
Christian Gossett, Deputy District Attorney, and Dr. Richie from UW-Oshkosh, then took questions from the board.
L. Consent Calendar
Consent Calendar Items are those items which are voted on by the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors in a single roll call vote. Committees recommend approval of all items. Any Winnebago County Board of Supervisor may request an Item be removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Questions relating to items on the Consent Calendar do not require the item be removed from the Consent Calendar.
1. Approval of Proceedings for June 17, 2025, Adjourned Session of the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors
2. Resolution 157-072025: Discuss & Approve an Airport Operator's Agreement & Lease between Winnebago County and Basler Turbo Conversions, LLC dba Basler Flight Service
Submitted by:
AVIATION COMMITTEE
FACILITIES & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
3. Resolution 158-072025: $350,000 Wisconsin Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Programs for COSSUP Wisconsin Deflection Initiative Grant
Submitted by:
PERSONNEL & FINANCE COMMITTEE
JUDICIARY & PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Supervisor Wise requested that this item be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
4. Resolution 159-072025: Authorize Application and Acceptance of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Planning Grant for $280,000 to Hire a Consultant or East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to Create the Plan and use in- kind match to meet the $70,000 match requirement
Submitted by:
PERSONNEL & FINANCE COMMITTEE
Supervisor Farrey requested that this item be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
5. Resolution 160-072025: Commendation Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Solid Waste Management Board
Submitted by:
PERSONNEL & FINANCE COMMITTEE
Supervisor Nelson requested that this item be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
6. Resolution 161-072025: Authorize a five-year Grant Contract between Winnebago County and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) for county awards for staff and support and landowner cost-sharing through an annual allocation.
Submitted by:
LAND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
7. Resolution 162-072025: Authorize Winnebago County Emergency Management to enter into an easement with the City of Oshkosh for an existing outdoor warning siren at 929 Winnebago Ave, Oshkosh.
Submitted by:
JUDICIARY & PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Supervisor Wise requested that this item be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
8. Resolution 163-072025: Request the County Executive to include $120,000 in the 2026 County Budget from the National Opioid Abatement Settlement Fund to continue the Sheriff's Office Program Contracting with Solutions Recovery, Inc.
Submitted by:
SUPERVISOR CONLEY HANSON, DISTRICT 26
JUDICIARY & PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Supervisor Wise requested that this item be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
9. Resolution 164-072025: Resolution Confirming and Ratifying the Authority of Counsel for Winnebago County to Add Additional Defendants to Opioid Litigation, Including in MDL 2804
Submitted by:
SUPERVISOR CONLEY HANSON
JUDICIARY & PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Supervisor Farrey requested that this item be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
10. Resolution 165-072025: Resolution Delegating the Authority to Enter Into Settlement Agreements with Opioid Defendants to the Winnebago County Executive
Submitted by:
JUDICIARY & PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Supervisor Farrey requested that this item be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
11. Resolution 166-072025: Adoption of the proposed Public Participation Plan Resolution for the 2026 Comprehensive Future Land Use Plan
Submitted by:
PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
Motion by Supervisor Frassetto, seconded by Supervisor Reinke to adopt the consent calendar excluding:
3. Resolution 158-072025: $350,000 Wisconsin Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Programs for COSSUP Wisconsin Deflection Initiative Grant
4. Resolution 159-072025: Authorize Application and Acceptance of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Planning Grant for $280,000 to Hire a Consultant or East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to Create the Plan and use in-kind match to meet the $70,000 match requirement
5. Resolution 160-072025: Commendation Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Solid Waste Management Board
7. Resolution 162-072025: Authorize Winnebago County Emergency Management to enter into an
easement with the City of Oshkosh for an existing outdoor warning siren at 929 Winnebago Ave, Oshkosh.
8. Resolution 163-072025: Request the County Executive to include $120,000 in the 2026
County Budget from the National Opioid Abatement Settlement Fund to continue the Sheriff's Office Program Contracting with Solutions Recovery, Inc.
9. Resolution 164-072025: Resolution Confirming and Ratifying the Authority of Counsel for Winnebago County to Add Additional Defendants to Opioid Litigation, Including in MDL 2804
10. Resolution 165-072025: Resolution Delegating the Authority to Enter Into Settlement Agreements with Opioid Defendants to the Winnebago County Executive
VOTE ON CONSENT CALENDAR: CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Resolution 158-072025: $350,000 Wisconsin Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Programs for COSSUP Wisconsin Deflection Initiative Grant
Submitted by:
PERSONNEL & FINANCE COMMITTEE
JUDICIARY & PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Motion by Supervisor Wise, seconded by Supervisor Powers to adopt. CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE.
4. Resolution 159-072025: Authorize Application and Acceptance of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Planning Grant for $280,000 to Hire a Consultant or East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to Create the Plan and use in-kind match to meet the $70,000 match requirement
Submitted by:
PERSONNEL & FINANCE COMMITTEE
Motion by Supervisor Cox, seconded by Supervisor Nussbaum to adopt. CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE. (Nayes: 1 – Farrey)
5. RESOLUTION 160-072025: Commendation Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Solid Waste Management Board
Submitted by:
PERSONNEL & FINANCE COMMITTEE
Motion by Supervisor Nelson, seconded by Supervisor Paterson to adopt. CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE.
Supervisor Nelson read a letter from Kathy Hutter, Solid Waste Department Director, regarding the landfill. Mr. Nelson asked everyone to come and celebrate at the Solid Waste Department on Thursday, July 24, 2025, and have some cake and ice cream.
7. Resolution 162-072025: Authorize Winnebago County Emergency Management to enter into an easement with the City of Oshkosh for an existing outdoor warning siren at 929 Winnebago Ave, Oshkosh.
Submitted by:
JUDICIARY & PUBLIC SAFETY
Motion by Supervisor Wise, seconded by Supervisor Nussbaum to adopt. CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE.
8. Resolution 163-072025: Request the County Executive to include $120,000 in the 2026 County Budget from the National Opioid Abatement Settlement Fund to continue the Sheriff's Office Program Contracting with Solutions Recovery, Inc.
Submitted by:
SUPERVISOR CONLEY HANSON, DISTRICT 26
JUDICIARY & PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Motion by Supervisor Wise, seconded by Supervisor Hanson to adopt. CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE. (Abstain: 1 – Laux)
9. Resolution 164-072025: Resolution Confirming and Ratifying the Authority of Counsel for Winnebago County to Add Additional Defendants to Opioid Litigation, Including in MDL 2804
Submitted by:
SUPERVISOR CONLEY HANSON
JUDICIARY & PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Motion by Supervisor Wise, seconded by Supervisor Nussbaum to adopt. CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE. (Nayes: 1 – Farrey)
10. Resolution 165-072025: Delegating the Authority to Enter Into Settlement Agreements with Opioid Defendants to the Winnebago County Executive
Submitted by:
JUDICIARY & PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Motion by Supervisor Wise, seconded by Supervisor Powers to adopt.
Corporation Counsel explained what this resolution entailed.
Motion by Supervisor Gustafson, seconded by Supervisor Farrey, to refer this back to the Judiciary & Public Safety (JPS) Committee.
Motion by Supervisor Ponzer, seconded by Supervisor Gustafson, to call the
question.
Vote on call the question: AYES: 25; NAYES: 6 – Holt, Hancock-Cooke, Wise, Nussbaum, Macho and Buck; ABSTAIN: 0; EXCUSED: 3 – Lutz, Stafford and Gabert;
ABSENT: 1 – Halbur; TEAMS: 1 – Belville. MOTION PASSED.
Vote on referring this back to the Judiciary & Public Safety (JPS) Committee.
AYES: 13 – Dowling, Paterson, Binder, Swan, Mueller, Hanson, Cox, Gustafson, Bureau, Farrey, Egan, O'Brien and Miller; NAYES: 18; ABSTAIN: 0; EXCUSED: 3 – Lutz, Stafford and Gabert; ABSENT: 1 – Halbur; TEAMS: 1 – Belville. MOTION FAILED.
Back to the original resolution.
Motion by Supervisor Powers, seconded by Supervisor Farrey, to make an
amendment and have the Personnel & Finance Committee meet with the County
Executive and that group plus, the County Executive be the one designated to
accept any funds that come in.
Supervisor Powers withdrew her motion.
Motion by Supervisor Hinz, seconded by Supervisor Bureau to make an amendment. Add the following verbiage at the very end of the resolution, "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that delegation of powers to the Winnebago County Executive shall be reauthorized annually by the Winnebago County Judiciary and Public Safety Committee and Winnebago County Board of Supervisors."
Vote on amendment. AYES: 25; NAYES: 6 – Dowling, Ulbricht, Holt,
Paterson, Gustafson and Harrison; ABSTAIN: 0; EXCUSED: 3 – Lutz, Stafford and Gabert;
ABSENT: 1 – Halbur; TEAMS: 1 – Belville. MOTION PASSED.
Motion by Supervisor Holt, seconded by Supervisor Gilbertson, to call the
question.
Vote on call the question. CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE.
Vote on resolution as amended. AYES: 27; NAYES: 4 – Dowling, Paterson, Swan and Gustafson; ABSTAIN: 0; EXCUSED: 3 – Lutz, Stafford and Gabert; ABSENT: 1 – Halbur; TEAMS: 1 – Belville. MOTION PASSED.
M. Business Items, Resolutions, and Ordinances
N. Adjourn
Motion by Supervisor Farrey, seconded by Supervisor Reinke, to adjourn until the August 19, 2025, Adjourned Session of the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors. CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE. The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
Submitted by:
Cassie J. Smith-Gregor
Winnebago County Chief Deputy Clerk
State of Wisconsin) County of Winnebago) ss
I, Cassie J. Smith-Gregor do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Journal of the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors for their Business Meeting held July 15, 2025.
Cassie J. Smith-Gregor
Winnebago County Chief Deputy Clerk
The video portion of this meeting is available on the County website:
https://winnebagocowi.portal.civicclerk.com
WNAXLP
September 4 2025
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