HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 1985 (15) • '
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING COUNTY HOME RULE
Resolution it /6
WHEREAS, county government in Wisconsin has, historically,
been considered an administrative arm of' the state; and
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Constitution only allows county
government to organize in a manner prescribed by the Legislature
and to provide services that are specified or mandated by the
Legislature; and
WHEREAS, counties, since 1938, have supported state
legislation to allow county boards the flexibility to organize in
a manner that meets local needs, commonly called organizational
home rule; and
WHEREAS, the Legislative Council Study Committee on County
Home Rule in the early 1970's developed legislation to grant
counties organizational home rule; and
WHEREAS, after organizational home rule was adopted by the
Legislature, several Attorney General opinions restricted county
board abilities to organize; and
WHEREAS, subsequent state commissions (Wallace Commission,
Morgan Task Force, Tarr Task Force and Duax Tax Force) have all
recommended that county home rule be strengthened; and
WHEREAS, these commissions have also recommended that the
statutory conflict between the powers of the executive or
administrator and County Board chair be clarified, and department
head accountability to the County Board, executive or
administrator be strengthened; and
WHEREAS, Governor Earl, in his budget proposal, has included
language to strengthen county home rule and department head
accountability, and to clarify the powers of the executive or
.idrninistrator in relation to the County Board chair's powers; and
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Counties Association has offered
amendments to the Governor's home rule proposal that will correct
technical problems with the proposal and maintain checks and
balances between the executive and legislative branches of county
government.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the St. Croix County
Board of Supervisors, meeting in regular session, goes on record
supporting the county home rule proposal contained in Assembly
Bill 85 and the Wisconsin Counties Association amendments; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be
mailed to Governor Earl, area Senators and Representatives,
members of the Joint Finance Committee, and the Wisconsin
Counties Association.
Dated this Iit day of 1985.
Negative Affirmative
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