HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2007 (27) RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO 2007 ASSEMBLY BILL 438 TO REDUCE THE
NUMBER OF WISCONSIN COUNTIES
Resolution No. 7 ( "))
St. Croix County, Wisconsin
WHEREAS, 2007 Assembly Bill 438 creates a nine - member task force to study the
responsibilities and obligations of county government and to develop a plan by 2011 to reduce
the number of counties in this state from 72 to 18 or fewer; and
WHEREAS, the suggestion of 18 counties or fewer is arbitrary, lacking any
substantiation that Wisconsin citizens would be better served by that arrangement; and
WHEREAS, numerous commissions and task forces, such as the Kettl Commission, have
devoted a great deal of time, energy and resources to the state /local government partnership and
the delivery of services; and
WHEREAS, the Kettl Commission prepared a report that identified substantive and
innovative recommendations regarding local government service delivery and efficiencies that
have never been considered by the Legislature; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin citizens would be better served by a discussion of local
government issues in their entirety rather than the creation of a task force charged with
attempting to implement a subjective reduction in the number of counties; and
WHEREAS, the state /local government partnership, providing and funding local
government services, and Wisconsin's taxation structure and system are issues that should be
discussed prior to the Wisconsin Legislature arbitrarily reducing the number of counties; and
WHEREAS, any discussion of a reduction in the number of counties and structure of
county government in Wisconsin should consider the current and future social and economic
trends and current and future demographics, and should focus on a practical and lasting solution
that serves Wisconsin citizens for generations to come; and
WHEREAS, some of the many issues that would need to be resolved in a discussion of a
reduction in the number of counties relate to existing labor contracts between a county and its
labor unions; real estate documentation such as deeds and plats; zoning authority and land use
issues; human service contracts and services; contracts between a county and a vendor or service
provider; and
WHEREAS, the costs of reducing the number of counties from 72 to 18 or fewer would
be substantial to Wisconsin taxpayers and would come at a time when the state of Wisconsin has
continuing budget deficits and other pressing issues, such as an aging population and an
antiquated taxation system.
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors opposes
2007 Assembly Bill 438.
FURTHER, be it resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Governor Jim
Doyle and the legislators representing St. Croix County.
Offered by the Administration Committee.
YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT SUPERVISOR SIGNATURE
❑ ❑ ❑ Tom Caflisch / Awn
1 - 1 ❑ ® Don Jordan
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® ❑ ❑ ❑ Richard King VAA ^ .—J ' �.
® ❑ ❑ ❑ Daryl Standafer Aim
® ❑ ❑ ❑ Ron Raymond il��' }A PP `` ,,./
J j This Resolution was adopted by the St. Croix County Board
Reviewed by Corporation Counsel on 1 t / (®� of Supervisors on 5 g aC1
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Greg Ti erman, Corporation Counsel Cindy Campbell, County Clerk