torical Society, North Central Community ….

torical Society, North Central Community Action Program, and Wisconsin Judicare. All of these groups have performance-based contracts with the county, which are regularly reviewed by the county administrator.

Dickinson said these organizations are doing “wonderful work,” but he and other supervisors don’t agree with giving them tax dollars.

“I don’t believe in governments funding non-profits as a general principle,” he said. “That takes money out of someone’s pocket and puts it into the pocket of an organization they may not want to support.”

Dickinson said the funding provided by the county represents relatively small portions of the non-profits’ budgets, and he thinks they could make it up with some effort.

Supervisor John Robinson said the board needs to seriously consider the impact a funding cut would have on organizations that help the county fulfill its mission by working with agencies such as the district attorney’s office and health department. He said the sudden withdrawal of funds could jeopardize the groups’ existence and result in the county having to hire more staff to fill in the gaps in service. “I think these are worthwhile investments, and they truly are partners in delivering services to our residents,” he said.

Randy Westgate of Wisconsin Judicare, told board members last week that his agency’s mediation services cleared 250 civil cases from the court docket this year – mostly evictions and small-claims – saving the county money and freeing up judges to focus on criminal proceedings. Other non-profit representatives have also spoken to the board about the work they do.

Several supervisors said they’d be willing to discuss the county’s funding of non-profits again next year, but they did not want to abruptly eliminate financial support. Supervisor Jacob Langenhahn, Marathon, said he supports efforts to reconsider county funding for non-profits, but he objected to doing so without engaging in dialogue with them first.

“This is wrong,” he said. “It does not pass the smell test.”

A motion to pass Dickinson’s amendment failed, 5-31, with the yes votes coming from Dickinson; Joel Straub, Kronenwetter; Tim Soldenski, Mosinee; Dennis Gonnering, Marshfield; and Bobby Niemeyer, Wausau.