Neighbors,

I’ll begin this blog post by sharing how appreciative I am of our county staff as we continue to navigate extreme uncertainty regarding funding and public service. This week, Congress is considering major cuts to Medicaid, one of the primary payers for behavioral health services (including care provided by the county and its contractors). Medicaid is the primary source of insurance for 1 in 5 Wisconsinites, covers half of births, and is an essential form of coverage for services ranging from preventative medical care to dental services, long-term care, and more. I will actually be in DC for my day job this week advocating to preserve the program, and encourage all of my neighbors to get involved by educating your elected officials about the public programs that matter to you. In a particularly short-sighted move by the federal administration, 80% of AmeriCorps programs were eliminated the first week in May, without any warning whatsoever. The county has a program called PASS which places AmeriCorps service members in local community sites providing mentorship and support to under-resourced youth. Now, to be totally transparent, our county program is slated to sunset in August but it’s beyond my comprehension why ending a program without any notice or planning would be prudent. As an AmeriCorps alum myself, I am frustrated by the decision to end programs, saddened by the services youth will not receive as a result of this decision, and hope to see funding reinstated. I think back to 2010 when I loaded up my car and drove out to California to start my 2-year service commitment, and how deflating it would have been to leave the students I worked with, ending after-school, literacy, and tutoring programs without the chance to wrap up programs responsibly or say goodbye to the kids. What an avoidable tragedy. As we collectively navigate challenges ahead, again, I encourage you to stay involved, voice your opinions, and “lean in.”

And as we get outside this spring check out new bike maps: https://www.greatermadisonmpo.org/maps/daneCountyMapforBicyclists.cfm. See you on the trails!

This blog post includes details on:

• Celebrating Hmong heritage in Dane County

• Regional Housing Strategy meeting on Thursday this week

• Appointments announced for the Airport and Human Services Director positions

• Grant for the Housing Justice Peer Network

• New infrastructure investments – Dane/Sauk Bridge and Mendota Park

• May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Dane County Board passed resolutions recognizing Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American Heritage Month & celebrated 50 Years of the Hmong People, Culture, and Community in the United States, Wisconsin, and Dane County. Supervisors Chawla and Yang read the resolutions and community members spoke on the 50 Years of Hmong People, Culture, and Community. Links to the special resolutions are here: 2025 RES-007; 2025 RES-004. May 2025 is designated Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the invaluable contributions, achievements, and resilience of APIDA communities across our country and here in Dane County. We honor the rich cultural heritage, enduring perseverance, and impactful leadership of generations of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi Americans, even in the face of discrimination and systemic barriers. Let this month serve as a call to action to remember our shared histories, uplift APIDA voices, and reaffirm our commitment to building inclusive, equitable communities where all residents are valued and supported.

In addition to recognizing APIDA Heritage Month, the Board celebrated 50 years of the Hmong people, culture, and community in the United States, Wisconsin, and Dane County. This milestone honors the bravery, resilience, and contributions of the Hmong individuals who came to the U.S. as political refugees following the “Secret War,” also known as the Laotian Civil War, in Southeast Asia. Dane County community leaders reflected on the contributions of Hmong and APIDA residents in education, health care, public service, and the arts.

The Board recognized trailblazers, including Gao Nou Vang-Vue, the first Hmong-descended principal in the Madison Metropolitan School District; Doua Vang, founder of the Southeast Asian Healing Center; and Mai Zong and Cher Peng Her, founders of the Hmong Institute, among many others. The Board also honored those who have served as County Supervisors and officials, including former Supervisor Ashok Kumar and current Supervisors Brenda Yang, Yogesh Chawla, Chair Patrick Miles, and Clerk of Court Jeff Okazaki.

Regional Housing Strategy: Dane County continues to advance collaborative efforts on a regional housing strategy and I agree that housing access and affordability is one of the top pressing issues our community needs to prioritize. We need approximately 7,000 housing units per year to

address existing needs and keep up with growth. The County Board will host a public meeting on the Regional Housing Strategy this Thursday, May 15 at 6PM (see 6pm Committee of the Whole: https://dane.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1288345&GUID=D33AED79-0D7C-4680-BF7D-274A0EDA3FE2 for the meeting details). This event was rescheduled from last month.

The Dane County Planning Division recently launched the Housing Chapter Update (HCU) program, a new technical assistance program for municipalities updating the housing chapter of their comprehensive plan. The program supports cities and villages in identifying housing challenges, solutions and tools, and highlighting each community’s unique housing needs, capacity, and priorities. This service is provided at no cost through the Regional Housing Strategy (RHS).

The HCU program helps communities meet eligibility requirements for millions of dollars in funding from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) for affordable and senior housing, infrastructure development, and redevelopment. WHEDA’s loan programs, the Infrastructure Access Loan, Restore Main Street Loan, and Vacancy-to-Vitality Loan Program. All of these require municipalities to have a housing element adopted within five years from the date of the loan application. The RHS team is working with the Village of Cottage Grove, and discussing technical assistance opportunities with several other communities including Black Earth. Want to learn more? Please view our HCU Program Fact Sheet.

Mark your calendar – we will also be holding a Committee of the Whole on June 12 on the Alliant Energy Center Redevelopment project.

County Exec. Agard Announces Appointments for Department Leaders at Human Services and the Airport: In April, Exec. Agard announced appointments for both positions, pending Board approval. The Human Services Director is especially important to me as that department has been without permanent leadership for several years. Below is information about both candidates that was shared with department staff.

Mark Papko for Airport Director: Mark is currently the Director of Operations and Projects for Duluth Airport Authority (Duluth International Airport and Duluth Sky Harbor Airport), but he also has experience from numerous airports including Grand Junction Regional Airport, San Jose International Airport, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport. He began his aviation career right here at the Dane County Regional Airport as an Airport Operations Intern. In addition to his aviation experience, Mark prides himself on his involvement within the community.  He sits on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Council of Airports, as well as the local youth hockey association. He also currently teaches aviation management courses at Lake Superior College. His extensive experience collaborating with local, state, and federal stakeholders will ensure our airport can continue to expand global connectivity with new routes, drive economic growth for our area, and bolster tourism for our region. Duluth International Airport is also home to the 148th Air National Guard Fighter Wing, which means he has experience balancing civilian and military aviation needs like we have at our own airport. Mark’s work leading a $200 million capital expansion plan, experience implementing environmental mitigation needs, and certifying the Customs and Border Patrol facility at the Duluth International airport will certainly come in handy as our airport navigates many of the same issues.

Mark has a Bachelor of Science from St. Cloud University in Aviation Operations and a Master of Business Administration in Aviation from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He is a former university men’s hockey coach, but now coaches at the youth level for the Superior Amateur Hockey Association.  Mark and his wife Amanda, as well as their two young children, are excited to relocate back to their family in the greater Dane County Area.

John Schlueter for Director of the Dane County Human Services Department: John’s career providing services to Dane County residents stretches over two decades and has its roots in Dane County government as a Juvenile Court Social Worker. From that role he went to the Social Security Administration where worked for over two decades building and leading teams to advocate for the people they serve. Extensive leadership experience in the largest social care federal agency in our country makes him particularly well-suited for this period where the federal government partnership is changing every single day.

In his current role he oversees over 500 employees in 30 offices responsible for ensuring residents receive retirement, disability, and survivor benefits in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. He serves as the Equal Employment Opportunity official responsible for hearing and handling filed grievances and as the hearing officer for management and labor of all contract disputes and step three grievances. He has received multiple awards for his performance at the Social Security Administration, including the top national performance citation you can receive as a federal employee.

John was born in El Salvador while his parents were serving in the Peace Corps until they were forced to flee the country when their coworkers were killed. His parents continued to build their career in service in Dane County and John went on to earn his undergraduate and Master’s degree in Social Work from UW-Madison. That served as the foundation for a career dedicated to improving the quality of life for others by valuing social justice and building partnerships to solve problems. He has broad experience and training in conflict and dispute resolution, staffing and budgeting, and labor contracts.

About the Dane County Department of Human Services: The Dane County Department of Human Services oversees a wide range of services aimed at enhancing the well-being of county residents, including mental health services, support for individuals with disabilities, and programs for children and families. With an annual budget of approximately $313 million, the department works collaboratively with community partners to deliver essential services.

Dane County is one of eight national sites selected as members of the housing justice peer network.  The local team includes members from: The Office of Justice Reform, Housing Access & Affordability--Dane County Department of Human Services, Catalyst for Change, and the Dane County Juvenile Court Program. Below is the press release issued by the national organizations announcing the network:

https://localhousingsolutions.org/housing-solutions-lab-and-the-center-for-justice-innovation-launch-2025-housing-justice-peer-network/. And for your reference, here is the Dane County press release sent on March 20, 2025:

https://danecounty.gov/PressDetail/11573

Federal Funding: This is a significant area of concern and risk for the County and our services because of uncertainty about federal funding and grant restrictions from the new administration. We expect that the administration will attempt to make targeted funding cuts based on ideological issues, and expect litigation. The County Board recently authorized the county’s attorneys, Corporation Counsel, to respond quickly with legal action and to initiate or participate in legal action on behalf of Dane County to safeguard the interests of Dane County.

Mendota County Park Upgrade: Big news for one of Dane County’s most beloved outdoor spaces! We’ve broken ground on a transformational project at Mendota County Park—a multi-million-dollar revitalization made possible through an inspiring public-philanthropic partnership. These exciting upgrades—including a brand-new accessible playground, paved walking trail, improved parking, and more—honor the legacy of Karen and Tom Ragatz, whose lifelong commitment to community, service, and generosity continues to make a difference. Together, we’re ensuring Mendota County Park remains a vibrant and inclusive space for generations to come. Construction begins next month and will wrap up this fall. Learn more about the project on the Dane County Parks webpage. Read more: Dane County breaks ground on multi-million dollar improvements to Mendota County Park. 

Dane – Sauk Bridge Project: For years, leaders from Dane and Sauk Counties, local residents, businesses, and trail advocates have worked together to realize this connection—and I’m proud that Dane County is a partner in making it happen. Once complete, this bridge will connect the Great Sauk State Trail with the future Walking Iron Trail—linking not just paths and parks, but people, families, and entire communities across the region. We know that trails like these don’t just support outdoor recreation—they support local economies. They boost tourism, strengthen our sense of place, and offer residents of all ages opportunities to stay active and connect with nature. This new recreational bridge is more than just steel and concrete. It is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we invest in our shared spaces, our public lands, and our collective future. Learn more: Dane and Sauk counties celebrate long-awaited bridge project. 

Dane County proclaims May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health is fundamental to our overall health, and it’s time we treat it that way. In Dane County, we are committed to fostering a community where everyone feels supported and has access to the resources they need to thrive. From crisis intervention and addiction treatment to peer support and case management, our Dane County Department of Human Services provides person-centered care that assists people in reaching their unique goals. They also partner with local nonprofits and other government programs to ensure all people in our community have the tools they need to not just survive, but thrive. You can learn more about the options best suited for your needs on the Human Services webpage. This month — and every month — we must work to end the stigma around mental health. Seeking help is a sign of strength, and no one should ever feel alone in their journey toward healing and wellness. Together, we can build a stronger, more compassionate community.

In service,

Richelle Andrae

Dane County Board Supervisor District 11

Andrae.richelle@countyofdane.com