HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2024 (13)
Resolution No. 13 (2024)
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING WISCONSIN SENATE BILL 916 RELATED
TO REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
COVER MEMO
TO: County Board of Supervisors
FROM: Ken Witt, County Administrator
DATE: March 12, 2024
AGENDA ITEM: Resolution Supporting Wisconsin Senate Bill 916 Related to Refugee
Resettlement
______________________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On March 5, 2024, the County Board voted to have a resolution drafted supporting the adoption
of Senate Bill 916.
Resolution No. 13 (2024)
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING WISCONSIN SENATE BILL 916 RELATED
TO REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
1 WHEREAS, the Refugee Act of 1980, located at Title VI, Chapter 2 of the Immigration
2 and Nationality Act, created The Federal Refugee Resettlement Program to provide for the
3 effective resettlement of refugees; and
4
5 WHEREAS, the Refugee Act of 1980 states in 8 U.S.C. § 1522(a)(1)(B)(iii) that, “local
6 voluntary agency activities should be conducted in close cooperation and advance consultation
7 with State and local governments;” and
8
9 WHEREAS, the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors are concerned with the lack of
10 transparency and communication by voluntary agencies, specifically World Relief of Chippewa
11 Valley, regarding anticipated resettlement of refugees within a 100-mile radius of the City of
12 Eau Claire; and
13
14 WHEREAS, in January 2024, Wisconsin Senate Bill 916 (SB916) and Assembly Bill
15 1004 (AB1004) were introduced requiring local governments to designate an individual for
16 consultation, and for other purposes relating to proper notice for local government entities
17 related to the federal program regarding refugee resettlement and assistance; and
18
19 WHEREAS, if passed, a statute would be created requiring an employee or officer of a
20 local government unit, including a city, village, town, county, or school district, to report to the
21 chief elected official (i.e. County Board Chair) if the employee or officer is contacted by the
22 federal government or a private nonprofit voluntary agency regarding proposed placements of
23 refugees in the local governmental unit; and
24
25 WHEREAS, the proposed statute further requires that the chief elected official notify
26 each local governmental unit within a 100-mile radius about the potential refugee resettlement
27 and the local governing body must schedule an open meeting to discuss the potential refugee
28 resettlement and designate a representative from the local governmental unit to consult with the
29 federal government and private nonprofit voluntary agency; and
30
31 WHEREAS, SB916 was passed by both the Senate and the Assembly in mid-February
32 2024, and is pending before Governor Tony Evers.
33
34 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the St. Croix County Board of
35 Supervisors hereby supports the adoption of SB916 to ensure that counties are provided with
36 notice and consultation related to refugee resettlement.
37
38 FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors directs
39 the County Clerk to send copies of this resolution to Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin
40 Counties Association.
Legal – Fiscal – Administrative Approvals:
Legal Note:
Fiscal Impact: Advisory resolution has no fiscal impact.
Vote Confirmation.
St. Croix County Board of Supervisors Action:
Roll Call - Vote Requirement – Majority of Supervisors Present
RESULT: ADOPTED \[13 TO 6\]
MOVER: Mike Barcalow, Supervisor
SECONDER: Mark Carlson, Supervisor
AYES: Lind, Anderson, Long, Adams, Berning, Ottino, Feidler, Ostness, Counter, Sherley,
Carlson, Barcalow, VanSomeren
NAYS: Leaf, Koch, Hansen, Tellijohn, Swanepoel, Ramberg
This Resolution was Adopted by the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors on March 12, 2024
Christine Hines, County Clerk