HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-19-2024 Health & Human Services Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD
June 19, 2024 5:00 PM
St. Croix County Government Center -Room 1284
Government Center -1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Greg Tellijohn called this June 19, 2024 meeting
of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Board to order at approximately 5:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Attendee NameOrganizationTitleStatusArrived
Lisa LindSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent
Shawn AndersonSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent
Cathy LeafSt. Croix CountySupervisorExcused
Dave OstnessSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent
Greg TellijohnSt. Croix CountySupervisor-ChairPresent
Mike BarcalowSt. Croix CountySupervisor-Vice ChairPresent
Kathleen FindlaySt. Croix CountyCitizen MemberRemote
Deb LindemannSt. Croix CountyCitizen MemberPresent
Julie SmithSt. Croix CountyCitizen MemberPresent
Others in Attendance:HHS Director Bob Rohret, County Administrator Ken Witt, Public
Information Officer Adam Kastonek, Economic Support Administrator Ronda Brown, and
several members of the community
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.Health & Human Services Board Regular Meeting May 15, 20245:00 PM
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Greg Tellijohn asked the Board if after
review of the minutes from the May 15, 2024 HHS Board meeting if any editing was
needed. With nothing noted, the minutes were accepted as submitted.
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Greg Tellijohn opened the meeting to Public
Comment for items on or off the agenda.
Several members of the community addressed the HHS Board to voice their concerns with
the recent discussions regarding the future of the Health Care Campus.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Open Public Participation Process-Review Letters and Take Public Testimony Related
to the 2025 Health and Human Services Budget
Health and Human Services Board Chair Greg Tellijohn informed everyone that tonight's
first agenda item is for the 2025 Open Public Participation Process, and the meeting is
now open for input from the public related to the 2025 Health & Human Services Budget
and Service Planning. Chair Tellijohn shared that there is one email to be read into the
minutes and one person here to address the Board.
* Lea Kaiser, CFO for Western WI Health expressed gratitude for funding provided by
St. Croix County to support the Recovery Support Solutions withdrawal management
services. This program also provides medication- assisted treatment options and
follow up support.
* Kathleen Lauerer submitted an email that was read by Chair Tellijohn. Ms. Lauerer
is asking that the county consider contributing funding to make the limited public
transportation options more affordable.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. Health and Human Services Monthly Financials
In the absence of Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke, HHS Director Rohret reviewed the monthly
financials with the Board.
Rohret highlighted that the revenue increase shown is mainly within Public Health
due to receiving license and inspection fees as well as in substance use disorder
treatment fees. Rohret informed that on the expense side it is purchased services
that continues to be high, but these are mandated services, and we need to provide
placement. Children Services has worked hard to reduce the number of kids in
placement, but many of those still in placement are higher need and higher cost.
Rohret also noted within the ADRC the catered food costs continue to go up, but raw
food costs have gone down some.
The Health Care Campus continues to see a high census and has been able to hire
4+ nursing positions as well as several Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN) positions
due to summer hiring which helps reduce the contracted services cost.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. Review of Health Care Campus Financials vs. WIPFLI Projections Pre-2016
Construction
St. Croix County Administrator Ken Witt provided information to the Board regarding the
Health Care Campus (HCC) financials. Witt shared the report provided in 2015 by
WIPFLI to show if or when the HCC could contribute to the debt service per their 5 yr
analysis. The actuals show that the HCC has stayed positive throughout these years.
(2015-2023) The actuals are better than the projections by WIPFLI. Witt stated that
HCC Administrator Sandy Hackenmueller has done an excellent job in staffing based
on census.
The cash flow shows things are currently positive, though when including
depreciation over the years there were some negative balances, but has been turned
around in the last few years. The plan would be that when there is cash surplus it
would go to help cover the debt service. But there is still 11 years to paying back the
loan on the HCC, which means the tax payers have been paying down the debt
service. It appears it will be at least three years before the HCC would be contributing
toward this debt balance.
Administrator Witt informed that it is up to the County Board to determine if the
county continues to run this facility, sell the facility, or make any other policy changes
regarding the HCC.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
4. Consideration of Capital Improvement Projects
St. Croix County Administrator Ken Witt brought this agenda item to the HHS Board for
their review of the 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects. Witt informed
that there is one item that reflects a need within HHS, which is the replacement of a bus
for the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for client transports. This is a
recurring item as different vehicles need to be replaced about every 5 years.
Administrator Witt is here tonight looking for HHS Board support for the CIP projects.
This CIP plan will be reviewed by the Committee of the Whole in July and then brought
to the County Board for formal adoption in September.
RESULT: DISCUSSED-NO ACTION
5. HHS Strategic Plan Update: Communications Committee
Executive Administrative Assistant Colleen Linder provided an update on the work being
done by the HHS Communication Committee, based on initiatives within the HHS 2023-
2026 strategic plan. Linder shared that a survey was sent out to all HHS staff, and she
reviewed the results and some findings with the Board. The HHS Communications
Committee will continue to do work towards next steps in making improvements to
provide more timely and consistent communication across HHS.
Questions asked and answered.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
6. -Year Department Updates
HHS Director Bob Rohret reviewed the work being done across Health and Human
Services as a mid-year report. Rohret highlighted that many areas have seen increased
service demands and discussed some of the ways that HHS is working to try to meet
these demands; in particular with several grant applications. Rohret also shared that the
Economic Support "unwinding" has been taking place and will officially end this month
and the Economic Support Specialists received acknowledgement from the Medicaid
Director for their great work throughout this.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Tellijohn asked the Board Members if there are
any requests for future agenda items. Board Members are encouraged to contact HHS Director
Rohret or HHS Board Chair Tellijohn if items arise.
* HHS Board Chair Tellijohn suggested this Board go tour the HHS facilities and possibly hold a
meeting at the Services Center in New Richmond-in the near future
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Tellijohn asked for any announcements for
tonight.
* Supervisor Ostness shared some information regarding the Elder Abuse display that is out
front at the Government Center
* HHS Director Rohret informed that Department of Health Services emailed asking for
volunteers to be on an advisory committee for the ACT 249 rule writing process. Rohret has
volunteered to be on the committee to advise DHS as they develop the regional crisis
stabilization facilities. He will bring any information back to the HHS Board
* Grant work is being done and could amount to $400,000 for 4 years for an additional
Adult Protection worker. Another grant for $400,000 for a Navigator Position, similar to our
ARPA Case Managers, to assist in expanding harm reduction efforts within our communities
with the goal of improving access to care and reducing overdose deaths
ADJOURN
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Tellijohn called this June 19, 2024 meeting of the
Health and Human Services Board adjourned at approximately 6:10 PM.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
July 17, 2024 @ 5:00 PM in the Government Center Boardroom, Hudson