OSHKOSH, WI—(WISS)— The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors spent over three hours discussing an ordinance that would have authorized $3.5 million of accrued interest on Spirit Funds from an ARPA Grant to partially fund a revolving loan program to expedite housing development in the county. After hours of discussion and debate, the resolution was sent back to the ARPA Strategies and Outcomes Commission.

At issue for a majority of the board was not the revolving loan program itself, but rather the wording regarding the use of accrued interest from the Spirit Funds. County Board Supervisor Conley Hanson brought forward a discrepancy between the wording and prior board action, saying he is afraid of a legal landmine.

“The line (from prior board action) reads be it further resolved that all interest accrued in the Spirit Fund be allocated to the county government project category. There is no interest to draw from. The previous board voted to put all of the interest into the government project category,” Hanson said.

Some at the meeting focused on the interest not being available as it was rolled into another fund. Meanwhile, Mary Anne Mueller, the county’s corporation counsel, said the funds would be drawn from the government fund. Hanson maintained that the wording of the resolution called for interest funds–funds that no longer exist because they are now part of the government fund.

Ultimately, the County Board voted 25 to 9 to send the resolution back to the ARPA Strategies and Outcomes Commission, which may take up the issue at its December meeting.

The revolving loan program could come forward to the entire County Board at a future meeting.

Revolving Loan Program

Winnebago County named housing development a top priority in its Strategic Plan. It set a goal to “ensure housing for all” and to build a strong community support for the policies and investments that will make that happen.

If the revolving loan program comes before the County Board of Supervisors again, it would establish a fund offering low-interest gap financing for housing development. Winnebago County would work with municipalities to streamline approvals and remove barriers, enabling projects to move forward efficiently.

The resolution to establish the revolving loan fund stated that local non-profits would submit a Request for Proposal to oversee, manage, and co-invest in the program.

Arguments for the Revolving Loan Fund

A report to the board claimed that the revolving loan fund would help the county and municipalities create 10,000 owner-occupied housing units in 10 years.

“This is a project that fits the plans laid out by the board and the needs of our community,” said County Executive Gordon Hintz.

Later in the meeting, Hintz said, “We’re taking on issues as a county that are more pressing, that involve housing, homelessness, the need for new tax base, more diverse challenges that are gonna require more.”

Community members spoke in favor of the revolving loan program during the board meeting on Tuesday (Nov. 11, 2025) night.

Trisha Rathermel, President and CEO of the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation, said housing affordability and availability issues are top of mind for business leaders trying to recruit talent to the area.

“In my mind, a program like this is also important because it doesn’t just address the housing shortage. Every home that we build, all that net new construction expands our tax base. So not only are we providing houses, we’re also supporting schools, infrastructure, public safety, long-term stability for our county, Rathermel said.

Arguments against the Revolving Loan Fund

County resident Brian Noe of Oshkosh had issues with the county starting the fund.

“ It seems to be an awful lot of details that are lacking as to how this will actually be implemented, depending upon who submits proposals and how, and what kind of oversight this body may or may not have as to what’s done with those funds,” Noe protested.

County Board Supervisor Hanson, who later moved to send the resolution back to committee, also expressed hesitation about the county moving in this direction.

“How does this program, either directly or indirectly, not put this county board and these funds in the loan, lien, foreclosure, and eviction business?” Hanson asked.

For now, the question of a revolving loan fund goes back to the ARPA Strategies and Outcomes Commission. That committee will decide whether to add $3.5 million to the $1 million already committed to the fund by the Industrial Development Board (IDB).

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