County supports extension as transitional housing project drags on

At its Monday morning meeting, the Barron County Board of Supervisors approved an extension request by Ken Tregellas, business administrator of the Salvation Army, which has been in the process of developing transitional housing in a former nursing home west of Barron on Highway TT since fall 2021.

County Administrator Jeff French provided the supervisors with an update on the project that has taken far longer than expected to accomplish.

French explained, “On July 1, Chair Okey, Economic Development Director Dave Armstrong and I met with Ken Tregellas and Duana Bremer from Salvation Army to discuss how the project is going for the Highway TT housing.”

He continued, “At this meeting, Ken informed that they, Salvation Army, are requesting an extension of the Community Development Block Grant to Dec. 31, 2025.”

At Monday’s meeting Okey told the supervisors they discussed the pitfalls the project has had and how to get the project accomplished as originally planned.

Armstrong, who was at the County Board meeting, supported the extension request, saying, “It’s a good project; it’s a needed project.”

He said if the Salvation Army can provide the transitional housing, he has a basic way of keeping people from being homeless — by getting them a job today.

Armstrong acknowledged that he was once in transitional housing himself, saying that sometimes people have to unlearn ways that are keeping them from moving forward.

The economic development director said the property has two buildings, and the smaller one has been remodeled and is ready to go, but he called the larger one “a mess.” He said rather than deal with the asbestos and wood rot, the plan now is to knock it down and build new.

Supervisor Randy Cook asked how the county got involved in the project in the first place. He was told that the county is simply a pass through government entity for the block grant. Armstrong said he was alerted to the bank-owned property, and the Department of Administration blessed it. Whether a blessing or curse, the project is in the works and an extension is needed to see it through to the end. All board members approved the request.

In other business, the County Board:

• Received an invitation by Joy Bartsch of Cameron to a 150th celebration of the township of Sumner set for Aug. 8-10 at Canton Park to include a wood bat tournament, historical presentation, movie, music, food and other activities.

• Was informed by Jeneene Rydberg of Cumberland that she is working to get the federal definition of “rural” changed as the current definition of 200,000 or less only leaves out Madison and Milwaukee. She said smaller communities of 20,000, even 5,000, have a lack of resources for grant writers and are left with nothing. She was told the topic will be discussed at the board’s August meeting.

• Was greeted by city of Rice Lake Mayor Harlan Dodge, who said he ran on the premise of open lines of communication and he is going to keep that promise. He encouraged the supervisors to call him with any concerns as he has regular office hours Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon. Okey, who has worked with Dodge on the Economic Development Board, said he has been nothing but helpful in working together. Supervisors Craig Fowler and Dana Heller agreed, with Heller calling him “very approachable.” Cook wondered moving forward, what will be the city’s big ask of the county. Dodge replied highways, electricity and housing as the city won’t be getting smaller but rather will continue to stretch out.

• Gave formal endorsement to Mosaic Technologies for its Public Service Commission’s Broadband Equity, Access and Development Program, as was deemed appropriate by corporation counsel John Muench. Supervisor Diane Vaughn was the only supervisor who opposed.

• Authorized continuing with the opioid settlement agreement with The Kroger Co. French informed them that Barron County is to receive $278,862 this year.

• Unanimously approved the Waste to Energy Plant’s plan to pursue a Komptech Industrial Shredder and a Caterpillar material handler with $1.5 million to be borrowed through the State Trust Fund at 6% for 10 years. Plant manager Brent Bohn told the board the equipment will allow for a new revenue stream at the incinerator south of Almena. Both the Executive Committee and Solid Waste Board approved the purchase.

• OK’d the appointments of Mike Russell to the Aging and Disability Resource Center’s Governing Board, Nancy Keeler to the Health and Human Services Board and Supervisor Bob Rogers to the Land Information Council.