2009 County Winners

Brown/Outagamie/Winnebago Counties - Single Stream Recycling Facility

For years, each of the three counties operated its own recycling collection, processing and marketing systems.  Based on a previously negotiated Tri-County Solid Waste and Recycling agreement, the three determined a single, consolidated recycling facility would improve efficiency and result in higher participation. In addition, consolidating regional volumes of materials could create more favorable economic returns.  A new, central facility for processing co-mingled recyclables opened in June 2009.

Sheboygan County – Three initiatives including:

Program Prioritization

In an effort to streamline decision-making and provide a uniform basis for analyzing its 125 discretionary programs, Sheboygan County developed and implemented a Program Evaluation and Prioritization Process.  The process gives staff, liaison committees and the county board an important tool to assist in determining funding priorities and potential cost-savings.

InHealth Clinic

In 2008, the county established a nurse practitioner-based primary health care clinic just a block away from the county courthouse. Operated by an independent contractor, the clinic offers basic services on an appointment basis to employees and dependents on the county's health care plan.  Use of the clinic provides a financial incentive to the county through its health plan.

Shared Purchasing Agent

Working cooperatively with the city of Sheboygan, the city and county share the services of a single, professional purchasing agent.

Marinette County - Collaborative Inmate Education and Training

For years the county struggled with how best to reduce recidivism and more productively leverage inmate incarceration time at the county jail.  Through collaborative partnerships with the Marinette School District, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and other community organizations the county has significantly improved opportunities for inmates to re-integrate more effectively in their communities on release and to enhance their levels of educational attainment.