Spring 2020 Eau Claire County Board Candidate Questionnaire District 15

Spring 2020 Candidate Questionnaire: Eau Claire County Board

District 15: Nick Smiar and Tim Krueger

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?

Nick Smiar:
I have served on the county board for eight years, the last two as Chairperson. I am Professor Emeritus of Social Work, UW-EC. I taught social policy, community organization, and administration for more than twenty years. As Executive Director of a non-profit organization, I developed and implemented policy, constructed and administered budgets, managed personnel, developed and implemented innovative programs, and developed and implemented public relations and fundraising programs.

Tim Krueger:
No response received

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

Nick Smiar:
The county board sets the conditions for economic development by (1) maintaining, improving, and possibly expanding the infrastructure (roads, bridges, transportation, broadband and internet capacity, etc.) which attracts and retains business in the Chippewa Valley, (2) maintaining and improving a high quality of life for employees/residents which attracts employers and potential employees to the area (quality schools, cultural events, recreational opportunities in parks and waterways) , and (3) collaborating with  the Economic Development Corporation in efforts to attract investment in businesses.

Tim Krueger:
No response received



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


Nick Smiar:
The current budget issues in Human Services are the result of a "perfect storm" of factors: unrealistic and harmful limits on property tax levy, the opioid and methamphetamine crisis and its effects on both law enforcement and child and family welfare, unfunded mandates for services, increased demand for services, especially in mental health and child welfare, and expanded provision of services within other areas (treatment courts, discharge services in the jail, and Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.  The answer is not simply to cut staff or services, which cannot be done, but to offer the services more efficiently, implement a new system of prevention services and facilitation of transfer of clients to less intense and expensive services, and greater use of Comprehensive Community Services (expenses in this program are paid 100% by Medicaid, but the reimbursement comes 12-18 months after the service has been delivered, which can create a cash flow problem).

Tim Krueger:
No response received

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?

Nick Smiar:
Issues:
(1) Balancing the budget without an increase in revenue or a decrease in services.
(2) Environmental issues, specifically clean air and water.
Addressing the issues:
(1) We need helpful support from the legislature, e.g., remove or alter the levy caps, return local control, and do not  impose unfunded mandates (requirements for services without the funding to implement the services) . Counties are extensions of state government and so do not have home rule, so the county is otherwise very limited in regard to solutions.
(2) (a) The legislature must return full funding for conservation officers (this is being done). (b) Complete an assessment of groundwater flow in the county to determine areas of pollution and flow. (c) Implement mandatory testing of private wells. (d) Enhance enforcement of environmental safeguards.


Tim Krueger:
​No response received