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I have organized disability advocacy campaigns and worked with state lawmakers to draft legislation aimed at keeping Medicaid patients at home and saving taxpayer money. I was also foreman at a concrete company, which gave me insight into urban development, infrastructure, and sustainable planning.
County governments can significantly enhance the energy efficiency of their buildings, facilities, and daily operations through a combination of assessments, upgrades, and policy changes. These steps not only reduce energy consumption and costs but also lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve overall sustainability. Renewable energy should be a core part of any county government’s strategy for improving energy use. Integrating sources like solar, wind, geothermal, or biomass can dramatically cut carbon footprints, enhance energy security, and create local jobs. Funding is available from federal, state, and local sources, including grants, loans, tax credits, and incentives. These can cover audits, upgrades, and renewable installations with little to no upfront cost in many cases.
The county is grappling with a structural budget deficit (around $7-10 million for 2026) and over $67 million in deferred maintenance for aging facilities. This affects everything from public buildings to roads, straining taxpayer dollars without a county sales tax (one of only two in Wisconsin without one). This limits investments in essential services and proposing solutions like performance-based budgeting or renewable energy retrofits to cut long-term costs.
Housing affordability is one of the most pressing challenges facing Winnebago County today. With a severe shortage of affordable units and rising costs many families, workers, and seniors are struggling to find stable housing. This exacerbates homelessness, contributes to labor shortages in key sectors like manufacturing and public services, and drives economic inequality. As a board member, I’d prioritize expanding affordable housing incentives, increasing partnerships with developers, and securing state and federal grants.
The Spirit Fund represents a rare opportunity to invest in long-term solutions that strengthen Winnebago County. I believe the best use of this money is addressing housing affordability—a challenge the private market alone is not solving. Working families, seniors, and young people are being priced out, which affects our workforce, local businesses, and overall quality of life. Strategic investments in affordable and workforce housing—such as gap financing for mixed-income developments, rehabilitating existing housing, and partnering with local housing organizations—can create lasting benefits while leveraging additional state, federal, and private dollars.
Decisions about allocating the Spirit Fund should be transparent, data-driven, and guided by community input. That means clear criteria, public engagement, and accountability to ensure these dollars are spent responsibly and deliver measurable, long-term value for the people of Winnebago County.
Winnebago County, WI, plays a key role in addressing affordable housing needs by administering federal/state programs, partnering with nonprofits and developers, offering direct aid to prevent homelessness, and funding development. Through the Oshkosh/Winnebago County Housing Authority (jointly governed), it ensures safe, affordable options while promoting equity. Departments like Public Health and ADRC provide resources and lists for housing.
Specific programs include:
• Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
• Affordable Rental Units: Over 670 subsidized properties like Court Tower (104 units) and Scattered Sites (156 family units) across Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha; affordable rents for families/seniors/disabled.
• HELP Program: Emergency aid for eviction prevention and rent arrears.
• Revolving Loan Fund: Proposed $4.5M for gap financing to developers/nonprofits; accelerates affordable/workforce housing builds.
