County Board Chairman David Albrecht said the larger number of contested seats means more participation in county government, but he also noted serving the public is not a small duty anymore.
"It's not that easy. It's a privilege to do the job, but it still takes a lot of time to do the job," he said. "I don't think there's big issues on the County Board right now, but everybody has their own agenda for why they run."
While I agree that it is a privilege to do the job of representing the public, I disagree that there are no big issues at the County Board level right now.
If you look at what the county budget funds, as well as the cuts and increases that were proposed last cycle, it is a vital time for the board. In the last budget we saw cuts in several key programs, as well as almost immediate calls for more funding from the DA's office to support their domestic violence programs.
We have all ready seen the impact on the DARE Program cuts, what will happen to our other public safety programs? Remember, the board came close to cutting boat patrols.
Will we continue to help fund the successful MEG Unit?
How are we going to build a new Parkview? What size will it be? How will we pay for care of seniors as we see funding cuts? How will we fund housing and other social services in the face of federal cuts and state limitations?
Will we balance the county budget, or once again raid our savings to cover costs?
There are major issues and discussions that we need to have at the county level. I look forward to being part of this dialog. I plan on discussing both taxes and spending. We need to prioritize what programs and services the county should fund, and how can we pay for these ina way that is fair to all.
Over the next months, I look forward to sharing more of my opinions on these matters and being part of this process. I hope to represent Winnebago County as we guide it into the future.
As always, feel free to contact me at anytime with questions.
1 comment:
There is a problem when there is an attempts to consolidates services within Winnebago County. Especially when trying to combine county services with cities within Winnebago County.
The problem is that some communities within the county like to grow outside the current county boundaries. The city is in this county is Menasha which is growing faster into Calumet County . Appleton spreads into three counties .
When talking about having only one health department for Winnebago County or one united law enforcement for the county the mayor of Menasha says Menasha is in two counties and could not be part of effort to consolidate any services within the county.
My answer would to have state law enacted where local units of government would either all be in one county or another. I would suggest that the county of original jurisdiction would be the county that all of the municipality would have to be part of.
This would enable a better delivery of services with costs savings.
I contacted all of our area state legislators, this the response I got in a email form Gregg Underheim. The only one I have received so far.
------- Here it is :
You pose an interesting question Mike. Do you have any ideas on how this could be accomplished? response of Gregg Underheim
An interesting response such he is the fulltime legislator.-------------------
I ask do you think this a good or at interesting idea. I want your feedback and response from you and others. And if really like it then I ask you to email or contact your state senator or state assemblyperson.
I look forward to your input.
Post a Comment