Ho-Chunk Nation funds sent to Shawano County should be used for law enforcement, social service and park needs, the Tribal Affairs Committee recommended this week.
Finance Director Diane Rusch and Supervisor Ken Capelle, who chairs the Capital Improvement Projects Committee, on Tuesday presented the Tribal Affairs Committee with 20 projects that could be funded with Ho-Chunk money the county receives annually through the tribe’s gaming compact with the state.
The Tribal Affairs Committee recommended using more than $105,000 of existing Ho-Chunk funds and $40,000 of the $82,500 expected in 2014 to fully fund three capital projects and part of a fourth.
The committee recommended that $86,400 go toward replacing Sheriff’s Department radios, $19,000 for a new vehicle for social service workers, $25,000 for upgrades in the Sheriff’s Department’s mobile command unit and $15,000 for a lawn tractor to be used by the Parks Department.
New radios are a priority because the county’s older ones do not work with the new simulcast system implemented in 2012. The deputies with the older radios are at risk when they go out on calls, Rusch said.
Supervisor Marion Wnek recommended the committee rank the radios high on the list, although he was hesitant to commit all of the Ho-Chunk money available to the project.
“This is a must,” Wnek said.
The Sheriff’s Department plans to replace all of its radios within a five-year period, but the ones that are incompatible need to be replaced as quickly as possible. The total cost of the radio project is estimated to be $214,000; the remaining money could come from the general fund.
Supervisor Milton Marquardt noted that the mobile command unit and other projects benefit the entire county, which he said would satisfy the spirit of how the Ho-Chunk funds should be used.
The consultation with the Tribal Affairs Committee on Ho-Chunk project funding came about after some supervisors expressed concern that the funds were being used without input from the committee, which works not only with the Ho-Chunk, but also the Stockbridge-Munsee and Menominee tribes.
Supervisor Sandy Steinke, chairwoman for Tribal Affairs, originally sought a resolution to set guidelines for the Ho-Chunk funds, which currently can be used for anything except actions that could harm the tribe. After Tuesday’s consultation, Steinke said she was satisfied with the county informally getting the committee’s input.
“Our input from members of the tribe are that we want public safety. We want health and betterment of the community,’” Steinke said. “That’s what we’re working toward, and that’s what we’re striving for with them.”
The committee also discussed using the remaining $42,500 for 2014 to help renovate the north entrance of the Shawano County Courthouse, which is deteriorating. However, committee members recommended saving the remaining money to see if other projects arise in 2014.
The Tribal Affairs Committee recommendations will be looked at by the Capital Improvement Projects Committee when it meets in September.
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