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.