Housing Authority approves $112,679.88 in April disbursements; County Board to weigh $60.3 million in notes July 21
The Portage County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners approved $112,679.88 in April 2026 disbursements at its July 8 meeting, the largest dollar action taken by a county body over the past two weeks. Meanwhile, the County Board is scheduled to vote July 21 on the sale of approximately $60,305,000 in General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026A.
Housing Authority
The Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, meeting July 8, approved its May 13, 2026, meeting minutes 5-0 and April 2026 disbursements totaling $112,679.88, also 5-0. The board entered a closed session for housing and staff discussion (5-0) and, in that session, authorized the Executive Director to continue communications with Rural Development regarding low-income housing complexes (4-0). The board also approved the July 8, 2026, meeting date and time (4-0).
Health and Human Services Board
The Health and Human Services Board, meeting July 6, approved meeting minutes from June 15, 2026, with proposed changes, by voice vote. The board then entered a closed session to consider specific personal histories related to permanency planning (9-0).
Committee agendas (minutes not yet published)
Several committees met in the past two weeks with agendas posted but minutes not yet available:
- **Finance Committee (July 13):** Reviewed a proposal to sell approximately $60,305,000 in General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026A; the proposed 2027–2032 Capital Improvement Plan for facilities, highways, parks, and IT; a $60,000 WI Focus on Energy grant application; a resolution authorizing 2026 budget amendments and transfers; and proposed 2027 worker's compensation rates.
- **Space and Properties Committee (July 14):** Received quarterly budget and facilities reports, including purchasing reports on the Courthouse Remodel, New Jail/LEC, and Solid Waste Remodel.
- **Land and Water Conservation Committee (July 14):** Discussed a Farmland Preservation Plan grant application opportunity, a Natural Resource Conservation Service update, a Nutrient Management Farmer Education 2027 grant application report, and reports on Lake Helen, Lake Jacqueline, and McDill Pond Protection and Rehabilitation Districts and the Portage County Drainage District.
- **Groundwater Citizens Advisory Committee (July 16):** Reviewed minutes from October 16, 2025, final WATER Project numbers, and a 2027 County Wide Groundwater Study.
- **Agriculture and Extension Education Committee (July 9):** Reviewed a year-to-date budget report, introduced new educators, discussed a possible regenerative agriculture workshop, considered support for a UW-Extension Rural Transformation Grant application, and reviewed minutes from March 12, 2026.
Coming up
- **July 20 — Health and Human Services Board:** Public hearing on the 2027 Health and Human Services budget; possible approval of applications and budget amendments for a Community Mental Health Services Block Grant Supplemental Award, a 2017 Wisconsin Act 260 Foster Parent Grant, and a Caring for Communities Grant.
- **July 21 — County Board:** Vote on the sale of approximately $60,305,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026A; zoning ordinance map amendments for Richter, Dekay, Wojtalewicz, and Harris; an increase to the marriage license fee; 2026 budget amendments and transfers; and appointments to the Commission on Aging, Board of Adjustment, and Park Commission.
- **July 21 — Highway Committee:** Preliminary speed study results for CTH Y (STH 66 to Dewey Drive) and CTH KK (Timberline Road to CTH A); rumble strip installation on CTH N east of CTH BB in the Town of Buena Vista; a CTH E project budget amendment request (CTH HH – Dam Road); a contract with Terra Ventures for professional real estate services for the CTH R Project; and a 2027 equipment purchase for underbody plows.
- **July 22 — Public Safety/Emergency Management Committee:** Sheriff's Office awards presentation and activity reports from Emergency Management, EMS, and the Jail.
- **July 23 — South Central Library System Board of Trustees:** Review of financial statements, approval of bills, and an ILS and governance update presentation by S. Schultz.
- **July 23 — Transportation Coordinating Committee:** Election of chairperson and vice chairperson; review of the 2025 Annual Financial Report and first-quarter 2026 reports; and discussion of volunteer driver program reimbursement rates and insurance.
- **July 29 — Board of Adjustment:** Public hearing on Petition PET-2026-009, a request for a special exception to install holding tanks for commercial and public use at 343 County Rd E S in the Town of Carson; election of officers; and approval of minutes from April 20 and May 18.