Sept. 29, 2025 4:30p
(WGTD)---The statistic is startling, but it may also be highly misleading: According to a publication put out by the Wisconsin Counties Association, Racine County’s Human Services Department finishes dead last among the state’s 72 counties in per capita spending.
The number has triggered alarm bells with the Racine Interfaith Coalition’s Education Task Force, co-chaired by Mike Frontier. "It's very critical that our county meet the needs of the people," Frontier says.
Frontier’s committee is holding a town hall-styled meeting Wednesday evening at 6 at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.
Meanwhile, several county officials say there’s no reason for deep concern.
At a County Board meeting last week, Supervisor Robert Miller said the county invests heavily on front-end prevention programs in order to avoid paying heftier costs on the back end. "This Human Services Department has a culture of collaboration, cross-training and innovation that has led to fantastic results," Miller said. "Other counties are always asking us how do we do it. We are not denying services to our people," Miller said.
Miller and others point to programs championed by the late County Executive Jonathan Delagrave, who previously had served as the county’s Human Services Department director.
Wednesday evening’s meeting by the Racine Interfaith Coalition’s Education Task Force comes as the county board is preparing to debate next year’s budget.
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