COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 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 – Laux, Ulbricht, Lutz, Holt, Reinke, Hancock-Cooke, Wise, Nussbaum (via TEAMS), Paterson, Binder, Swan, Gilbertson, Mueller, Halbur, Ponzer, Belville, Macho, Hinz, Zellmer, Pluchinsky, Buck, Powers, Hanson, Cox, Gustafson, Farrey, Harrison, Frassetto, Egan, O'Brien, Nelson and Miller; Excused: 3 – Dowling, Stafford, Gabert; Absent: 1 – Bureau. 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 Nelson, to adopt the agenda for tonight's meeting. CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE. F. Public Comments Seventeen (17) individuals spoke in support of the Sobriety Treatment Assisted Recovery (STAR) Program, Solutions Recovery and the Peer Response Team. They shared their personal stories and strongly advocated for these programs that ultimately provided growth and second chances that they have all been given to turn their lives around. G. Reports from Committees, Commissions and Boards Supervisor Powers thanked everyone who attended the Hmong Festival on August 30, 2025, celebrating their 50 years of presence in Winnebago County. H. County Board Chair's Report Chairman Egan reported that Supervisors Dowling, Stafford and Gabert were excused from tonight's meeting. I. Presentations 1. Solutions presentations on the Jail-based STAR Program and the Community-based Peer Response Team -- Megan Edwards, Solutions Recovery Executive Director and Dr. Matt Richie, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Professor Megan Edwards, Solutions Recovery Executive Director, presented an update on the Jail- based Sobriety Treatment Assisted Recovery (STAR) Program. Ms. Edwards provided a little bit of the history of the STAR program, a county collaboration coming together to have a program in the jail focused on recovery. They have been doing this program for three (3) years now and there's a deficit, and they're at risk of losing something. The Peer Response Team (PRT) rolled out in September 2022. From there, it turned into the STAR Program, but it initially started as peer response. Ms. Edwards focused on the things that they've been able to accomplish in three years of having recovery coaches with lived experience going inside a law enforcement agency, meeting with people who are broken and scared and desperate and have no idea what is next for them. She briefly presented and discussed some recidivism data. Ms. Edwards then took questions from the board. Megan Edwards, Solutions Recovery Executive Director, presented on the Peer Response Team, a post release support & upstream intervention. Solutions Recovery is separated into three separate sectors: Recovery Center, Sober Living and Peer Support Services. Ms. Edwards explained and provided a little more detail of what each sector entails. She briefly touched on, "What is Addiction", a chronic relapsing disorder. Ms. Edwards provided an update on the growth of the program, funding, and recidivism data. She explained the differences between Jail (STAR) and Community-Based Support (PRT) and why both are needed. She discussed the 2026 Funding Gap and what's at stake if they cannot fund the $322,050 gap for community peer support. The bottom line is that community-based peer support is ESSENTIAL to keep the momentum and save lives. Ms. Edwards then took questions from the board. Chairman Egan announced that the board would take a short 15-minute break. 2. K-9 Presentation Darin Rice, Professional Standards Lieutenant, presented for the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit. Deputy Robert Zill and his K9 partner, Skylar, were in attendance and in favor of the program that they are discussing. There are five K9 handler teams: three dual- purpose German Shepherds, one explosive detection Labrador Retriever and one facility K9 Poodle. There is one K9 Supervisor and all the K9 teams utilize Ford squad cars. Lieutenant Rice touched on the K9 Unit training process for both the deputies and K9's, what the K9's are primarily trained for and funding for the K9 Unit. Mr. Rice identified and acknowledged the five K9 handler teams and their statistics and accomplishments. Five K9 Handler Teams: • Deputy Charles Hebert / K9 Athos • Deputy Jesse Simmons / K9 Haimo • Deputy Alec Fenrich / K9 Imani • Deputy Robert Zill / K9 Skylar • Deputy Devin Wilson / K9 Gracie Lieutenant Rice presented the 2025 Statistical Data for the time period of 01/01/2025- 08/21/2025. He shared a short video of K9 Haimo from February 2023 for a Homicide Suspect Arrest and was used to take the person into custody. Lastly, he acknowledged Deputy Kyle Schoonover and K9 Timm. K9 Timm was a dual-purpose German Shepherd for the Sheriff's Office from September 2013–March 2024. Upon K9 Timm's retirement in 2024, he was purchased by Deputy Schoonover and lived with his family until he passed away in early August 2025. Deputy Schoonover was promoted to Lieutenant in December 2024 and has assumed responsibility for the Sheriff's Office K9 Unit. Lieutenant Rice then took questions from the board. 3. County Budget Process Update - County Executive Gordon Hintz Gordon Hintz, County Executive, gave an update on where they are with the budget process and what the next two months holds for them as they work to introduce and then finalize the 2026 County Budget. He reminded the board that the budget workshops are scheduled next week, September 10, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. and September 11, 2025, at 5:00 pm at the Sunnyview Expo Center. They are open to the public and will be recorded. They will present their budget assumptions, external effects on their budget, major changes to programs, and a good chance to ask questions and understand the conditions they're facing when constructing the budget. The committees, commissions and boards will begin reviewing department budgets in detail. This is a good opportunity to learn more about the department budgets, get a full presentation of department budgets and begin any amendments you might wish to make. County Executive Hintz then took questions from the board. J. Adjourn Motion by Supervisor Farrey, seconded by Supervisor Buck to adjourn until the September 16, 2025, Business Meeting of the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors. The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 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 Special Orders Session held September 2, 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 November 9 2025 LWIX0403259