October 31, 2025
Dear County Board Supervisors,
For many years our League of Women Voters of Appleton-Fox Cities has observed Outagamie County budget review sessions and shared with supervisors the policies and practices we support prior to the budget adoption vote. This support is based on past studies and positions we have developed over the years. Specifically in the proposed 2026 Outagamie County budget we support and commend the following:
- Bolstering the attorneys who work as public defenders and language interpreters. People are waiting too long for preliminary hearings which violates their constitutional right to a fair trial; finding interpreters is an essential service in our increasingly diverse community.
- Retaining the victim witness and evidence coordinator positions. These positions will continue support for victims, better ensure a speedy trial, and ensure evidence is presented in a way that avoids legal problems.
- Staff position to collect state debts and increase revenue for attorney reimbursement and other needs
- Projects that enhance parks, increase their safety and use, and generate revenues. Enhancements to Plamann Park and The Hillside will greatly improve their functionality and enjoyment by residents and visitors.
- Increasing parking lot security for judges
- Identifying additional sources of revenues for Family Court to supplement federal funds or replace federal funding if it is eliminated or reduced
- The Sheriff’s Office utilization of the co-responder model with trained mental health professionals on first responder teams. We also applaud the partnership with Appleton’s Police Department’s in sharing resources in this area.
- Using teleconferencing in a variety of ways to save taxpayer money including in jails/ correctional facilities, in guardianship/family services, and telehealth appointments
- A new county website. Many residents find the current county website difficult to navigate.
- Providing County residents with emergency radio access during crises, which will address needs that are growing with climate change and increasing pandemic threats
- The “Safelight” program, which sends teen traffic offenders to the driving safety program rather than charging ticket fees. This year 163 kids completed the program and the Safelight model is likely going statewide.
- The District Attorney’s partnership with Health and Human Services and Harbor House through the Safe Exchange Program
- County financial support of our public libraries through the Outagamie Waupaca Library System. Libraries provide an essential service in our communities, and we are proud Appleton Public Library was awarded the 2025 Wisconsin Library of the Year.
- Working with East Central Regional Planning Commission on transportation planning and the coordinated use of federal funds
- Collaboration with regional, state and national law enforcement officials in addressing the dramatic increase in drug trafficking
- Nurturing partnerships with other public, nonprofit and private organizations was a theme shared by many county departments.
- Building a culture of wellness for County employees with a new fitness center, onsite and near site clinics, and a rewards and recognition program
- Partnership with Brown and Winnebago Counties on recycling and solid waste management. Our League toured the recycling center in September and were impressed with its function and management. We also support more outreach to citizens on how to recycle and education on all 7 Rs of solid waste management: rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, rot and compost.
- County efforts to more fully utilize Brewster Village as a community asset by recruiting and retaining staff and reopening one of the “neighborhoods”
- Creating a new day care facility in part of Brewster Village that will be managed by the YMCA. Day care resources are woefully inadequate in our community and this will provide more options for families who need daycare for their children.
- Reducing the wait times and waiting lists for children’s mental health services, children with disabilities, and Children’s Long Term Support
- Congregate nutrition sites such as the new site at Long Cheng Marketplace
- “People-first” training in Health and Human Services, the District Attorney’s office and with jail staff to meet people where they are
- Our Veterans Center and the transformative services they provide in partnerships with a wide variety of community organizations
- Continued streaming and recordings for County Board and committee meetings. The Finance Committee Budget Review sessions were a good start but meetings should also be available as recordings with slides and handouts made visible to online viewers.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Quinlan, President