It requires counties to match state aids. Counties add their own funding an overmatch to pay for additional services. Over the years, this has created a system that satisfies no one. State officials worry that they are unsure of what results the counties produce with the state money they spend. County officials argue that they are required to provide state-mandated services without adequate state support.
Needy individuals contend that the state-county system leaves too many individuals without services.
It s a system, in short, straining under heavy demands, deeply rooted conflicts, and a mismatch of responsibilities and funding, of policy decisions and policy execution. The Commission s work is only the first step in improving Wisconsin s state-local partnership. To get the relationship moving in the right direction requires that a forum or process to bring the local, state, and stakeholder communities together. There is a missing yet fundamental need to come to agreement on the human services system s overall direction, mission, goals, and strategies. Therefore, the Commission concludes that the state ought to align policy decisions with budget decisions.