Westcap Director Tim Mather outlines community initiatives for Barron County residents

The Barron County Board convened on June 16, 2025, to discuss various agenda items, including the Staples Lake Preservation District and a presentation from Tim Mather, Executive Director of Westcap, a community action agency.

The meeting began with a discussion regarding the Staples Lake Preservation District. It was noted that the fee for property owners in this district would be collected by the Polk County tax authority, amounting to $150 per property owner. This fee will then be forwarded to the Staples Lake District. Supervisor Bob Anderson highlighted the importance of having a larger number of participants in such districts to enhance grant applications for managing invasive species and other lake services. Supervisor Gore added that residents from Polk County would now be eligible to serve on the Lake District board, which was not the case previously.

Following this discussion, Tim Mather presented an overview of Westcap, which serves seven counties in Northwest Wisconsin, including Barron County. Mather provided a historical context, explaining that Westcap was established in 1966 as part of the fight against poverty initiated during the Johnson administration. The agency is funded through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), receiving approximately $400,000 annually, which supports various programs aimed at assisting low-income individuals and families.

Mather detailed the services provided by Westcap, noting that in 2024, the agency served over 40,000 individuals across its service area, with Barron County accounting for 2,845 households. Key programs include food access, housing assistance, and energy assistance. In Barron County alone, Westcap provided significant support, including over $250,000 in food resources and around $773,000 in housing services.

The discussion also touched on the agency's energy assistance program, which helped over 1,600 households in Barron County, providing an average benefit of $550 per household. Mather emphasized the importance of these services in helping residents maintain stable housing and manage energy costs.

Board members expressed interest in the coordination between Westcap and local health and human services, particularly regarding food access programs. Mather confirmed that Westcap collaborates with local agencies to enhance service delivery.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the collaborative efforts between Barron County and Westcap in addressing community needs, particularly for low-income residents. The board acknowledged the importance of continued support for these programs and the impact they have on improving the quality of life in the region.