Finally, we respectfully request full partnership with the State of Wisconsin as it moves to rectify this grievous situation through membership by one of us on your Blue Ribbon Panel. We do believe that we have knowledge and experience to offer. We fully expect your consideration of our comments.
January 28, 2002
The Honorable Scott McCallum Governor of Wisconsin Room 115 East, State Capitol P. O. Box 7863 Madison, WI 53707-7863
Dear Governor McCallum,
We, the Executives of Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago Counties, do sympathize with you as you face the budgetary woes of the State. We do, however, strongly object to being targeted as the culprits for your situation.
We wish to be a part of the solution but feel betrayed that we were not party to the plan you have presented to the citizens. The State has always been partnered with the counties for in fact, we are the arms of the State and we provide the services that you and the Legislature require of us.
In addition to being the workhorse for the State, we represent our constituents in a responsible and proactive manner. Case in point is the consolidation of solid waste and recycling services that we have just accomplished in Northeastern Wisconsin. We offer a savings of $35 million to our residents over the next 10 years and have consummated this cooperative agreement in spite of obstruction from your Department of Corrections. Let it be known, that we would have followed this path without coercion from the State, but rather, because it was the right thing to do and excellent management of our precious resources. Unlike the State, we maintain an excellent credit rating and unlike the State, we are in compliance with all generally accepted accounting principles. Does that sound like mismanagement? We think NOT.
We suggest you follow our example by consolidating your court systems. The Kettl Commission, recommendation 66, gave you the outline for full funding of the justice system. Relieve us from the onerous expenses associated with court commissioners, judicial assistants, jury fees, transcript costs, supplemental public defenders, and security.
The Kettl Commission also addressed equalizing shared revenue for our communities. The effect of your plan has been elimination of their shared revenue. Must we remind you that the levies of our three counties and of all of the communities inside of our counties have been set for 2002. This is devastating and not in agreement with the Kettl Commission recommendations 46, 47, and 48. We suggest you reconsider this plan.
Finally, we respectfully request full partnership with the State of Wisconsin as it moves to rectify this grievous situation through membership by one of us on your Blue Ribbon Panel. We do believe that we have knowledge and experience to offer. We fully expect your consideration of our comments.
Sincerely,
____________________ ____________________ ____________________
Nancy Nusbaum Robert N. Paltzer Jr. Jane Van De Hey
Brown County Executive Outagamie County Executive Winnebago County Executive