Personal Statement
I believe there are many great people working to provide important services for our community. As County Supervisor it is my job to make decisions that impact the future for everyone in our county. I am a pragmatist who asks clarifying questions, evaluates the impact of each decision on all stakeholders then makes the best decision. Public input is critical to ensuring the best decisions are made so please share your input with me.
What are your plans/ideas to increase affordable housing in Outagamie County?
Affordable housing is important not only for the residents but also for businesses that depend on having a high-quality workforce. Therefore, it is important for all levels of government to work collaboratively with investors and developers on plans and processes to ensure we have high quality, affordable housing for current and future residents. The primary role of the county, through the Department of Development and Land Services is to provide comprehensive planning and management for Outagamie County and its political subdivisions relative to property, services, and facilities. This is accomplished by assisting local communities in developing individual land use, neighborhood, and site-specific plans to assist in their policy and decision-making process. I will emphasize the importance of providing affordable housing through this process.
Given that there are consequences to unplanned and sprawling urban and semi-urban development what are your plans for protecting agricultural, forested, wetland or other types of undeveloped land in Outagamie County?
Effective use of resources in Outagamie County requires both short- and long-term planning. The Department of Development and Land Services is in place specifically to ensure that any development is done in a way that ensures both short- and long-term benefits for all residents. One key tool is the Comprehensive Plan. This plan aligns with the “Smart Growth” law, which was enacted in 1999 (Section 66.1001 of the Wisconsin Statutes). The Comprehensive Plan is reviewed and updated at least once every 10 years. The most recent Outagamie County Comprehensive Plan was adopted in January 2020. This plan informs zoning and development decisions made by State, County and local governments, private individuals and businesses. This plan is updated as needed including an upcoming meeting on March 8, 2020. I will support the protection of sensitive areas.
What is your priority for how Outagamie County should utilize American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds?
Outagamie County initiated a stakeholder & community engagement effort to better assess the impacts of COVID-19 within the community. Outagamie County staff conducted interviews with representatives from organizations directly impacted by COVID 19 and held outdoor workshops in June and July 2021 at various parks throughout the County. UW-Oshkosh conducted, on behalf of Outagamie County, two surveys targeted at County households and businesses.
With this input, a grant program was executed in 2021 providing covid relief funds to businesses and nonprofits. Details of which can be found on the web site by clicking the link on the banner on the home page or going to https://www.outagamie.org/government/outagamie-county-s-implementation-of-the-american-rescue-plan.