Appleton Board approves lodging fee schedule, accepts $10,000 asthma grant and hears Age Friendly plan

The Appleton City Board of Health voted to approve an updated environmental health lodging fee schedule and unanimously accepted a $10,000 Wisconsin Asthma Program grant intended to support outreach and air-quality education in local schools, parks and community programs.

The chair brought Action 260285 to the table to revise the lodging fee schedule after the state adjusted fees for tourist rooming houses and other lodging categories; the board approved the changes to align local fees with the budgeted revenue. "With the state fee unknown at the time of budget, we did have to adjust fees in order to back into the approved revenue that was proposed in the 2026 budget," Dr. Seiferts said, explaining the adjustments.

On the asthma grant (Action 260316), Dr. Seiferts said the award will allow the health department to partner with Appleton-area organizations including the Appleton Area School District and parks and recreation to create public education campaigns about indoor and outdoor air quality. "Excited to have the opportunity to do that work," Dr. Seiferts said.

Board members also received the Age Friendly Appleton Action Plan 2026, described by staff as four years in the making and informed by a community survey. The presenter highlighted an emphasis on affordable housing and invited questions; members thanked staff and praised the plan.

The meeting closed with routine reports: respiratory-virus surveillance and wastewater monitoring (described as showing 'moderate' activity), a quarterly report that noted quality-improvement work in the weights-and-measures program and a department newsletter highlighting rabies-program work.

Votes at a glance:
- Action 260285 — Approve environmental health lodging fee schedule (approved, unanimous)
- Action 260316 — Accept Wisconsin Asthma Program Grant, $10,000 (approved, unanimous)
- Action 260328 — Uphold dangerous-animal declaration for Alpha with modifications (see separate report)

The board adjourned after accepting staff reports and congratulating Cassidy Walsh on being elected East Central Regional Representative for Wisconsin Emergency Management.