HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions 2001 (04) RESOLUTION OPPOSING WISCONSIN COUNTIES
ASSOCIATION/WCA SERVICES, INC. PROMOTION OF OFF -
RESERVATION GAMBLING FACILITIES
Resolution No. Ca o
St. Croix County, Wisconsin
WHEREAS, according to the 2000 WCA Handbook, page 3, the Wisconsin
Counties Association (WCA) was created in 1935 when the Wisconsin legislature
authorized county boards to participate in an association of county boards of
supervisors; Wisconsin Statutes sec. 59.52(22) authorizes counties to join an
organization committed to the protection of county interests and the furtherance of
better county government; and to meet this statutory obligation, WCA represents
interests that are common among Wisconsin counties; and
WHEREAS, according to the WCA website, in order to provide additional
services to its 1800 members, WCA created WCA Services, Inc. (WCASI), a
wholly -owned subsidiary of the WCA; WCASI "allows counties to forge
partnerships with the private sector which mean good things for the state;"
examples of these services include discounted membership in the American
Automobile Association (AAA), lower long distance rates with MCI, and
catastrophic insurance; additionally, WCASI has entered into a non - exclusive
agreement between WCA and Office Depot's Business Services Division "Office
Supply Program," enabling counties to receive up to 61% off the manufacturer's
list prices for office supplies; and
WHEREAS, in contrast, the 2000 WCA Handbook, page 9, describes
WCASI by stating:
In order to provide additional services to counties, the board created WCA
Services, Inc. (WCASI) a wholly owned subsidiary of the Wisconsin
Counties Association.
Through WCASI counties establish partnerships with the private sector on
a variety of projects including: discounted office supplies through Office
Depot; marketing Wisconsin products overseas; and developing
international tours.
;and
WHEREAS, on October 13, 2000 the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported
that the Lac du Flambeau band of Chippewa paid the WCA $50,000 after
Executive Director Mark Rogacki "helped the tribe win over the Lafayette County
Board and the City of Schullsburg, which have agreed to pursue the development
of a casino there;" and
WHEREAS, the Journal Sentinel also reported that the payment was part of
a contract signed by Rogacki and the tribe in August, 2000 wherein the tribe will
pay $50,000 for each additional community that, with the help of the WCA,
embraces the idea of being home to a Lac du Flambeau casino. Additionally,
according to the newspaper, the WCA will receive $500,000 to $1,000,000
annually for 10 years from any off - reservation casino it helps the Lac du Flambeau
open; and
WHEREAS, in an undated, unsigned writing on WCA Services, Inc.
letterhead entitled "Report to the WCA Board of Directors on County Economic
Development Funding — Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Indians" it was reported that in 1998 Waukesha County examined casino siting
possibilities with the assistance of WCA/WCASI and that in 2000 Lafayette
County and Portage County both requested and received such assistance from the
WCA/WCASI; and
WHEREAS, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on October 29, 2000
0
h expansion 65% of Wisconsin residents oppose the ansion of Indian casinos to off -
p
reservation sites; and
WHEREAS, the actions of Mr. Rogacki pursuant to the contract with the
Lac du Flambeau band as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel would be
contrary to the purpose of the WCA/WCASI to represent the common interests of
counties and would in fact, be representing the interests of the gambling industry;
and
WHEREAS, such lobbying efforts are contrary to the opinions of 65% of
Wisconsin residents; and
WHEREAS, the contract for payments gives the appearance of, or actually
creates, a conflict of interest for WCA/WCASI.
THEREFORE, be it resolved by the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors
that it opposes the WCA/WCASI's assistance to and receipt of payments from the
Lac du Flambeau band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians;
FURTHER, be it resolved that the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors
opposes the WCA/WCASI's promotion of off - reservation gambling facilities;
.
FURTHER, be it resolved that the Clerk of St. Croix County send a copy of
this resolution to the WCA Board of Directors and to the Board chairs of the other
71 Wisconsin counties.
Offered by the Administration Committee on January 23, 2000.
NEGATIVE AFFIRMATIVE
/
STATE OF WISCONSIN
COUNTY OF ST. CROIX
1, Sue E. Nelson, St. Croix
County Clerk, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that
the going Is a true and correct c opy 1 of
1 tin J 4 ��a 1 .
adop d by the Co B oard of upervisors
at their meeting held a- n _ a 3 a 60 I
Sue E. Nelson, tit. Croix County Clerk