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Wisconsin Counties Association presentation for 2013 UW Extension broadband High Speed Bootcamp, Kyle Christianson and Jennifer Bock
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Kyle Christianson, Legislative & Research AssociateJennifer L. Bock, Managing Editor
Engaging County Boards
There are 72 counties in Wisconsin.
In Wisconsin, counties serve as an agent of the state. Unlike cities and villages, counties do NOT have constitutional home rule.
Counties may do only what state law allows them to; or what the state requires of them.
County Government in WisconsinAn Overview
Counties in Wisconsin are the primary means of delivering state services at the local level.
For example, there are no local offices of the Wisconsin Department of Children & Families to deliver services. Counties provide those services for that department.
County Government in WisconsinAn Overview
Care for the elderly and people with disabilities.
Mental health and AODA treatment.
Investigation and prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Maintenance of state highways and county roads.
Operate county jails and Sheriff’s offices.
State Mandated Services Provided by Counties
Operation of state courts. Judges, DAs and public
defenders are all state employees.
Other staff and expenses are paid by counties.
Recording of state vital records and property transactions.
Real and personal property tax collections.
State Mandated Services Provided by Counties
Federal-state funds, e.g., Medical Assistance and highway funds.
Targeted state funds, e.g., Youth Aids and Community Aids.
General state funding, e.g., shared revenue.
How Counties Pay for Services
Given ongoing budget shortfalls, state funding for counties has been reduced in recent years.
In the 2011-13 state budget, funding for most county services was reduced by 10%. Some programs experienced larger reductions.
Counties do not have a lot of discretionary funds.
Trends in State Funding
State law allows counties three local revenue sources Property taxes 0.5 percent sales tax Vehicle registration – “wheel
tax”
Other County Revenues
62 of 72 counties have a sales tax
One county has a “wheel tax”
Counties’ primary source of revenue is the property tax
County Revenue Sources
Property values have dropped the last 5 years.
Counties operate under both a tax rate limit AND a levy limit.
The tax rate limit was set at 1992 levels.
County Property Taxes
Levy limits have been in place since 2005.
2011 Wisconsin Act 32 makes the levy limits permanent. Levies may increase no more than the increase in net new construction.
The statewide average allowable increase for levies in 2012(13) is 0.7%.
Levy Limits
Who are County Officials? County Supervisors run for
office to make a difference – they desire to make their county a better place
They enter office with the best of intentions
They wish to be liked They want to be respected
HOW TO ENGAGE COUNTY BOARDS: KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
They are a product of their life experiences They may bring bias with them to office They are a cross-section of the state They have a variety of personalities and
skills They can be either introverts and
extroverts They are detail oriented people and big
picture people There are leaders and followers
Takeaway: There is no typical county official
Who are County Officials?
What is their job like? It involves a lot of conflict
(resolution) There are long hours and many
meetings There is a lot of time away from
home and family They are expected to be
knowledgeable about a variety of local issues
Who are County Officials?
County officials face demands from many directions Constituents Local activists and supporters Media Special Interests Personal goals and aspirations Family
Who are County Officials?
How do you break through the clutter of competing interests?
By educating local officials and building relationships
HOW TO ENGAGE COUNTY BOARDS: KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
1. The Golden Rule Treat county supervisors the way
you like to be treated – with respect and courtesy
2. Always introduce yourself They may not always remember
your name3. Treat their time as valuable
Many people place demands on their time
Getting Your Message Heard
Become a resource for county officials
County supervisors are not experts in all issues. Many have full-time jobs that require a significant time commitment.
You are the expert, make yourself a resource for them. Become an educator.
Make the case for why counties should devote their limited resources to broadband efforts.
Getting Your Message Heard
Educate supervisors on county-related applications
Law enforcement – live and remote video monitoring
Surveillance cameras in remote areas that are problem areas
Access to meetings for everyone in the county
Distance learning and remote education for your school districts
Live medical consultation for your clinics and hospital(s) in the county
Electronic medical records Radio interoperability Public safety
Getting Your Message Heard
Enhanced broadband may not matter to individual supervisors, but it matters to someone.
Taxpayers benefit from more efficient, less-expensive government operations.
Schools benefit by enabling interconnectedness, access to the same level of education in rural areas as in urban areas.
Hospitals and patients benefit by having access to experts and specialists remotely.
Business benefits by leveling the playing field (online bill pay, supply chain, etc.)
Farmers benefit due to the increased reliance on GPS, internet-based irrigation, fertilizing practices.
Getting Your Message Heard
When discussing an issue (e.g., broadband)
Be pleasant Be clear Be concise Be accurate Be firm but not argumentative Thank them
Getting Your Message Heard
PEOPLE! There are strength in numbers.
Your group Your coalition Your supporters
Getting Your Message Heard
“Engagement is building relationships and putting those relationships to work to accomplish shared goals.”
Gideon Rosenblatt, The Alchemy of Change
Questions & Answers
Engaging County Boards
Kyle Christianson, christianson@wicounties.orgJennifer L. Bock, bock@wicounties.org
WCA Office phone: 608-663-7188
Thank You!
Questions? Contact Us.
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