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Smith said Rock is the ninth largest county in the state and it’s important for board members to consider how to impact the local economy.

The second part of Smith’s “county well-being” is a series of initiatives using $6.3 million in COVID-era American Rescue Plan Act funds that must be allocated by Dec. 31, 20024 and m spent by Dec. 31, 2026.

One initiative would give $150,000 to the Rock County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force. This comes after the county board has considered three resolutions regarding human trafficking, and another one is pending consideration by a county committee.

Smith also proposed allocating $4.5 million toward finding local affordable housing solutions.

Another $750,000 would go to a homeless shelter being built by Community Action of Rock and Walworth County.

“I hear you say that you want some more resources to help people who are in emergency situations and can’t find housing. My suggestion is if you want to do that, Community Action’s shelter is the place to go. They have a project in place. They are already fundraising. They have other funding sources and there’s a plan by an organization that’s been around a long time and it’s being built,” Smith said.

Also proposed to be given out are $375,000 for the Rock County Human Services Department; about $303,000 for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Rock County; $120,000 toward domestic shelters in Janesville and Beloit and $60,000 toward the YWCA Care House.