Wisconsin Counties Association presentation for 2013 UW Extension broadband High Speed Bootcamp, Kyle Christianson and Jennifer Bock

1. Kyle Christianson, Legislative & Research Associate
Jennifer L. Bock, Managing Editor
Engaging County Boards

2.  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 Wisconsin
An Overview

3. 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 Wisconsin
An Overview

4.  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

5.  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

6.  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

7.  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

8. State law allows counties three
local revenue sources
 Property taxes
 0.5 percent sales tax
 Vehicle registration – “wheel tax”
Other County Revenues

9.  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

10.  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

11.  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

12. 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

13.  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
Who are County Officials?

14. 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?

15. County officials face demands from
many directions
 Constituents
 Local activists and supporters
 Media
 Special Interests
 Personal goals and aspirations
 Family
Who are County Officials?

16. 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

17. 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
name
3. Treat their time as valuable
 Many people place demands on their
time
Getting Your Message Heard

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. PEOPLE!
 There are strength in numbers.
 Your group
 Your coalition
 Your supporters
Getting Your Message Heard

23. “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

24. Kyle Christianson, christianson@wicounties.org
Jennifer L. Bock, bock@wicounties.org
WCA Office phone: 608-663-7188
Thank You!
Questions? Contact Us.