Spring 2020 Eau Claire County Board Candidate Questionnaire District 13

Spring 2020 Candidate Questionnaire: Eau Claire County Board

District 13: Connie Russell

Note: These questions were drafted and candidate responses requested before concerns about COVID-19 escalated to their current level.

Q1. What are your background and qualifications for this position, and why are you a candidate?

Connie Russell:
I am near the end of my first term as a district supervisor on the County Board.  During the past two years, I have learned a great deal about the vast array of services provided by Eau Claire County, as well as the complexities of public finances and statutory requirements.  As a retired university administrator, I have the time to devote to participating as an elected official in the mission of county government. Indeed, to perform the duties of public service in this capacity, one should view the role as the equivalent to at least a half-time job.  When the very capable representative from District 13 decided to retire and not run again for office, there was a need for someone in our district to step up. After talking with a number of people in my neighborhood and being encouraged to run by long-time members of the Board, I decided become a candidate in 2018.  Although I have not had an opponent in these elections, I strongly feel it is imperative that I represent not only my constituency on the west side of the city, but everyone in the whole county. I grew up on a farm outside of Fall Creek, so I am familiar with the concerns of the rural population in the county and feel a connection to those outside of my city district, too.  In my previous position at UW Eau Claire, I supervised records and registration operations that both served all students and faculty, but also those services for certain populations, such as Veterans education benefits. I view County services in the same way. We must consider all of the residents of our county, regardless of the number in any particular group.  
When people have asked me “How do you like being on the County Board?” my reply is that it’s like going back to college and taking a full load of courses.  In any given week, Supervisors must become knowledgeable about variety of issues from road maintenance, child welfare, jail operations, ground water protection, group health insurance options, zoning regulations, landfill contracts, and the pros and cons of wind energy.  I am excited to continue learning and applying that knowledge in another term on the Board. In addition to general county board service, I will bring specific knowledge gained from service on the Human Resources committee, the Western Dairyland Board of Directors, the Women’s Business Center Advisory committee, and the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission Board.

Q2. What is the County Board’s role in promoting economic development, business maintenance and commercial growth in the county?

Connie Russell:
There are a number of roles the County Board can play:

• The Board can generally view every policy-making decision in the light of what enhances the quality of life in Eau Claire County.  In order for employers to attract a qualified work force, the area needs to be attractive to skilled workers and their families. For example, the parks, bike trails, and waterways in the county provide recreational options that many want as part of maintaining a work-life balance.
• The Board needs to continue pursuing ways to expand broadband service throughout the county.  Businesses now rely on having connectivity to do basic business operations. Without that service, efforts to expand business development “out-county” will be stymied.
• The Board should look at what it would take to expand industrial parks in areas outside of the city, such as Fall Creek.
• The Board should think “regionally.”  The geographical boundaries are artificial, but often act as barriers to regional planning.  Collaboration with other counties will be necessary to enhance the economic development of the entire region.  For example, we could leverage the expertise of the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. In the future, there may be a return to having a Regional Transit Authority in the area.
• The Board should encourage the various economic development entities to work together.  In particular, I would like to see even more emphasis on helping small businesses.

Q3. What should the County Board do to address the current budget issues and program demands in the Human Services area?

Connie Russell:
This is one of the most difficult and complex issues the Board faces.  Before anything else, the Board needs to be very careful and avoid the constraints of binary thinking when sorting through the optimal solutions.  

• First, as Board members we should continue to advocate with legislative leaders to address the underfunding of Human Services departments throughout the state.  The costs of providing state-mandated care have risen way above the revenue needed to effectively carry out those services.
• Second, we should consider creating a focused cross-functional team to address the issue of substance abuse, the meth epidemic in particular, in a more preventative upstream way.  This impacts not only Human Services, but other departments such as the Sheriff’s budget as well.
• Third, the Board needs to make sure that all entities with which DHS has contractual agreements are providing effective services.
• Fourth, the Board must continue to support the DHS’s efforts to improve financial reporting.  It’s important that all Board members are familiar with the fiscal challenges facing DHS, not just the oversight committee. 
• Fifth, the overages in the DHS budget reflect an inadequate allocation to that department.  The problem should be addressed holistically to see if there are other areas of the county operations that can be adjusted in order to augment the shortages in DHS.  There may be some non-mandated expenditures that could be cut.
• Sixth, the Board should look to other counties in Wisconsin and across the country to see if there are some alternate ways to provide services that have proven effective.
• Finally, we have a statutory and moral obligation to care for vulnerable populations in our county and that needs to inform all of our budget decisions.  

Q4. What are the two biggest issues you expect Eau Claire County to face during your term, and how do you think the County Board should address them?

Connie Russell:
1.  Budget:  The Board and county staff will be diving into strategic planning this next year.  Available resources will be the deciding factor in setting priorities. Because levy limits constrain our “dreams” of what we could potentially do, there will be some very difficult decisions to be made around what non-mandated services could be cut or have fees increased/assessed.  There are very few options for counties to raise revenue. The vehicle registration fee is already in place and we are at the allowable maximum for the sales tax rate. That means the County will have to be creative in devising plans to meet obligations within the budget limits, such as merging operational departments, or exploring public/private agreements.  We will need to address short-range problems, but must think long-range. For example, we will have to consider the levels of the county’s debt service. It will be important to have input from a diverse group of people to ignite innovative thinking.  

2.  Employee recruitment and retention:  County operations depend heavily upon its employees.  There are infrastructure and equipment considerations, but ultimately, it’s the people who make it all happen. In a competitive job market, where the County must compete with private market employers, it is increasingly difficult to match the wages and benefits offered by private industry and, also, by our neighboring counties of Chippewa and Dunn.  Without skilled, quality workers, the County will be strapped to effectively carry out its mission.