EXECUTIVE

305 E. WALNUT STREET P.O. BOX 23600 GREEN BAY, WI 54305-3600 PHONE (920) 448-4001 FAX (920) 448-4003

Troy Streckenbach
BROWN COUNTY EXECUTIVE

February 21, 2013 Thank you for joining me tonight on my first State of the County address. I would like to especially thank my wife Jennie, my two sons Henry, George and my daughter Josephine. I would also like to thank my mother Donna, and my father Clifford for teaching me life lessons. Without my families support and encouragement, I wouldn t have had the privilege to serve you and the people of Brown County. I would also like to recognize former County Clerk, Darleen Marcelle, who did an outstanding job for so many years. Sandy Juno, the recently elected County Clerk, Treasurer Kerry Blaney, Clerk of Courts Jason Beck, and Register of Deeds Cathy Williquette-Lindsay. I appreciate your willingness to work with me as elected constitutional officers, and I applaud your efforts to stretch taxpayer dollars while carrying out your official duties. I would also like to recognize the elected officials in attendance here this evening tonight. These are the folks that help make Brown County work; lets give them a hand. Two years ago, I promised the good people of Brown County that I would freeze the property tax levy, help create an environment for the private sector to create jobs, lower debt, and bring my business experience and common sense to county government. When I first took office, many families were financially hurting as our nation was still struggling through a deep recession, record job loss, property value decline, record foreclosures, and many families struggling to pay their bills. The budget I inherited included a $3 million structural deficit, and we needed to find $4 million in additional savings to keep my pledge to freeze taxes. We were also on a path that would have increased debt by $26 million. Today, I am proud to report working together with the Brown County Board we ve eliminated the structural deficit, frozen the property tax levy for two straight years, debt and borrowing are down, and we are reshaping Brown County s role in economic development. In fact, the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance reported that Brown County had the largest property tax decrease out of all 72 counties in 2012. That is a record we can all be proud of. I would like to recognize the Countys Finance Director, Carolyn Maricque for all the support and guidance she provided during the past 2 budget cycles. Honestly, I wasn t sure what to expect transitioning from a small business owner to the County Executive. A lot of people said you can t run a government like a business, well tonight I m here to say: Yes you can . Using simple business principles of accountability, metrics, and restructuring delivery of services we found $7 million in savings for taxpayers over the last two years and lowered overall debt by $8.5 million dollars. A good example of that new kind of thinking is the work being done by our County Child Support Administrator Maria Lasecki. By using technology, Maria and her team brought our child support call center back in house at a savings of $50,000 from the contractor the state had suggested we use. And, just as importantly, we are providing better service to Brown County s families. We re demonstrating how we can make government work. The County is also joining the 21st century when it comes to payroll and record keeping. The paperless automated system is not only saving printing costs, but helps managers manage our 1

most important and costly resource people. The system not only helps save money, but it will help utilize employee resources to focus on crucial tasks. I would like to thank the Project Team for overseeing this major undertaking and bringing it across the goal line by the end of the year. As a small business owner, I was amazed that there were no performance evaluations. If human capital is our greatest resource they deserve to know what is expected of them and have an open line of communication with their managers. Last year, almost every employee received an employee evaluation. Tonight, I m taking this one step further by announcing that we will be implementing 360 evaluations, which allow front line employees the opportunity to help evaluate and make suggestions to their supervisor. Our goal is to create an environment that allows our employees to deliver world-class service to Brown County residents in an efficient and effective manner. I would also like to recognize Director of Public Works, Paul Van Noie, who helped oversee the Pubic Highway and Facilities merger that saved over half of a million dollars. Tonight, I m calling on him again to save a million dollars by implementing the Raw Material Cost Reduction Plan, the Fleet Management Plan and the Facility Master Plan that will better utilize buildings, avoid long-term costs, and reduce the county s foot print. I appreciate the leadership and vision the Planning, Development & Transportation committee has demonstrated, particularly, Committee Chairman Bernie Erickson who continues to monitor and play an active role in many of the County s initiatives. And yes, former County Executive Tom Hinz, we haven t given up on LEAN management, in fact we have expanded it. It still remains a core function of restructuring the of quality services. In actuality, we have become the leader in LEAN. In 2012 we conducted 22 LEAN events, over 350 employees since 2009 have participated in LEAN, and we have become a State leader by making presentations to conferences, have been publically recognized by Governor Walker, and provided training to other Counties. In sum, these events not only save time and resources, but more importantly they are changing a culture of thought and allowing for line staff to be part of the solution. I would like to specifically recognize Cathy Williquette-Lindsay, Lynn Vanden Langenberg, Supervisor Brad Hopp and the LEAN facilitators for their continued support and leadership of this very important program. These initiatives have helped keep the county s property tax levy frozen over the past budgets. While we ll continue to use business principles, outside pressures like health insurance, Congress s inability to function, and unfunded state mandates will continue to make zero increases more difficult. Tonight however, I am reaffirming my pledge to freeze the property tax levy for the next two years. We ll continue to find the needed cost savings and efficiencies to provide great services without asking for another dime from already over-burdened taxpayers. I m also more committed than ever to paying down debt. Past spending decisions mean that 17% of our levy goes to debt service. That s $15 million that could be used to provide better services or lower taxes even further. I m currently working to develop a comprehensive debt reduction plan that I hope to have ready in time for the next budget. Unlike the inaction we are seeing in Washington on our nation s debt crisis, we will control our debt here in Brown County. While we are controlling our internal costs, we need to explore savings through multi-regional cooperation at all levels. That s why tonight; Im announcing a reinvigorated effort to bring together local and regional elected officials to outline a working strategy to enhance services and save money. I understand that politics and personalities can kill regional partnerships, but we need to work across municipal boundaries to save taxpayer dollars and enhance customer service. 2

So tonight, I m proud to announce that 23 of 24 municipalities have signed long-term agreements securing our community partnership with our solid waste program that has been a model for the rest of the state for over 40 years. This program returned to Brown County municipalities close to $2 million the past 2 years and will continue to grow as we build our recycling capabilities. I hope the last remaining community, the City of Green Bay, can commit to a long term agreement and bring all 24 municipalities on board. I would like to recognize Port and Solid Waste Director, Dean Haen, for his contributions to the economic development initiatives. In the near future waste will be big business, and together we can capitalize on it for all Brown County taxpayers. We also have some other great possibilities for partnerships. Tonight I m announcing my support for entering into discussions with the city of De Pere for the possible merger of our health departments. I believe we have an opportunity to save taxpayer dollars while providing contiguous service for all Brown County residents. I would like to recognize Health Department Director Judy Friederichs, De Pere Mayor Mike Walsh, De Pere Administrator Larry Delo, and De Pere Interim Director Sonja Jensen for their leadership on this issue. Regionally, I m calling on the Al Klimek our Medical Examiner and Director of Administration, Brent Miller to begin the discussion with area counties regarding the creation of a Northeastern Regional Medical Examiner Consortium to save taxpayer dollars, but to also ensure the proper care and professionalism in working with families who are in the early stages of loss. I am calling on our Human Services Director, Brian Shoup to begin the discussions with area county Human Services Directors for the examination of a regional Human Services District. Being proactive will save time, money and maintain a high level of integrity in the delivery of services to the clients that are most in need. All signals from the State and National level indicate that regional approaches are the wave of the future, we can either decide to wait for what they dictate or we can be proactive and try to develop a pilot program that can be a model for the rest of the state. I would also like to recognize Economic Support Manager Jenny Hoffman, for heading up the Bay Lakes Consortium for economic support. This is a perfect example of a multi county agreement working to save money and provide better service to clients, they consistently lead the state in federal performance standards. Finally, I want to urge our legislative delegation from Brown County to work to prevent the overuse of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars for projects. While TIF is an important development tool, a mechanism needs to be in place to prevent taxpayers dollars to be used in a bidding war between municipalities if the business is already established in the area. Not only do taxpayers suffer, but so do schools and other government entities that will unlikely see any return for decades. I would like to recognize Ashwaubenon Village President Mike Aubinger for working with the other municipalities to address the issue here locally. I believe the taxpayers can win if we set a side our personalities and boundaries and work together. In addition to turning towards multi regionalism for savings, we must explore property tax growth through economic development. For this to occur we need to reexamine the county s role in economic development. Tonight, I want to thank the Brown County Board for supporting the efforts of Advance to promote economic development, job retention and creation. Advance is on the front line of growing our area s economy. Traditionally our county s infrastructure is, and remains a key building block to keep, expand, and attract economic growth. That is why we have reshaped our view when it comes to transportation as a development tool. We re willing to upgrade and reconstruct in order to help local municipalities close deals on needed development. 3

A perfect example was the county working in partnership with the Village of Bellevue to help secure the Costco development, which will help spur ancillary growth in the area. I want to thank and recognize Village President Craig Beyl, area developer Garret Bader and Supervisor Dave Kaster for their work on this important project. A strong regional airport is also important part of that infrastructure and I would like to thank Airport Director Tom Miller, Susan Finco, Brad Toll, Laurie Radke, Steve Van Lannen, Tod Zacharias, Aaron Popkey and Bruce Wolf for their hard work in securing a new direct flight from Austin Straubel to Atlanta. Securing a new route at the same time airlines are cutting back is a testament to their good work and the strength of our local economy. However, we can t stop there. To remain competitive we need to secure a U.S. Customs Federal Inspection Station at the airport to allow for international direct flights and commerce. This will truly make us a regional leader, but we need our Congressional Delegation to help secure this designation for our area businesses and tourism. While we re taking steps forward at the airport, I am growing increasingly frustrated by our only class one rail system that has caused our local manufacturers to be in a competitive disadvantage. It was a mistake to close the intermodal rail ramp over a dozen years ago and, it s my pledge that I will do all I can to convince Canadian National to allow it to reopen. When I look across Brown County I get excited by all the opportunities I see for job creation. One of the ideas I m most excited about is the effort to redevelop the land where the soon-tobe demolished old mental health center sits. We re looking to create a veterans health corridor and a tech park to attract startup and new businesses to our area. With County Board s approval we are going to save significant dollars by using county staff to raze the abandoned facility. This way, we ll have the green space so many developers are looking for. As most of you already know we are currently working on veterans housing project in the area and I would like to recognize Planning Director Chuck Lamine for his continued leadership on reshaping and developing the County s land and Cardinal Capital Management, Erik Swenker for their interest and investment in Brown County. The county also has another great opportunity based off state law changes regarding wetlands mitigation. Tonight, I m announcing the creation of a wetland bank for municipalities and businesses to invest in. This will not only help businesses that need to mitigate wetland during development, but help protect Brown County s environment and water for the long term. While the EPA required the state to pass an expensive phosphorus remediation program, the county is working to create a phosphorus remediation trading program to better direct dollars to areas that will have a larger impact on our water system. Basically the plan will save local industry money that would have little impact on eliminating phosphorous and direct those dollars to areas that have a greater potential to clean our waterways. While we re working out the plans, it is my hope to have a model program that can be used nationwide. While we reshape the county s role in economic development to help foster an environment for the creation of good paying jobs, we also need to ensure that our neighborhoods are safe. I would like to recognize the Public Safety Committee for their continued leadership on supporting these efforts. Of course, when we talk about public safety, I am reminded how fortunate we are to have Sheriff John Gossage and his deputies risking their lives every day in an effort to keep the rest of safe. Not only is the sheriff protecting our homes and businesses, he s protecting our pocketbooks by developing efficiencies that are saving taxpayers over $1 million. The sheriff is also always willing to advance the county board s cause to fight fraud, especially when the federal government looks the other way. The County Board has helped fund an 4

additional sheriff s deputy to help stamp out welfare fraud to the tune of over a half million dollars. However, there s more work to be done, and tonight I m calling on our state representatives to reintroduce their fraud mechanism funding bill to help ensure those most in need have the resources available. Sheriff can you please stand. Tonight, I want to let you know that Sheriff Gossage will be announcing a new initiative in conjunction with adjacent counties to help protect our most vulnerable in the near future. They are creating an Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce to go after those who prey upon our children. Thank you sheriff for not only this initiative, but for all that you do to protect our community. I would also like to recognize, David Lasee, Brown County s District Attorney who is working with local law enforcement agencies to ensure better communication that will ultimately lead to higher prosecution rates and safer streets. There is no question that reliable communication is a key component to public safety. That s why we ve invested millions in upgrading our 911 call center and improving the ability of first responders to talk to each other during a developing situation. We re getting there by eliminating dead spots, and with the help of Cullen Peltier, Interim Director of Public Safety, we re working on creating a model 911 center, by implementing a 911 call center precertification program for incoming staff. When they start, they ll have the training needed to serve the public. We re also working to address cases where officers deal with situations regarding mental illness. With the support of the Human Services Committee and the full County Board, the Human Services Department created a new Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health Clinic within our child protection and juvenile justice units. Clinicians and social workers will provide consultation and assessment to children and their parents struggling with mental health and addiction problems. In a continued effort to address mental illness, we are planning a re-design of the Nicolet Psychiatric Center, to create a fuller array of services that will better align the services at the Center with the needs of the mentally ill. This will also free up needed public safety resources and provide for better mental health care for those most in need. I also want to recognize the good work Judge Kendall Kelley, Veteran s Services Director Jerry Polus and former County Executive Tom Hinz are doing with the Veterans Court. The Court helps ensure those vets most in need receive the help they deserve to get their life back on track. While having strong public safety is essential to a strong community, it s the quality of life through public and private institutions that helps set our community apart. We have much to be proud of and show off to prospective businesses and families looking to come to Greater Green Bay. We have one of the best community Zoo s in the nation. This is a perfect example of what can be if the right private and public relationship is formed. The NEW ZOO is completely off the levy, and with good stewardship by a private board, the zoo will be strong for future generations to enjoy. Tonight, I would like to thank Vern & Judy Krawczyk, the board members, and Neil Anderson, the Zoo and Park Management Director, for helping make the zoo a great success. The zoo is certainly a leading family destination for our communityas is the new Children s Museum, the wildlife sanctuary and the many parks so many of us used when we were kids and use again today with our own children. Tonight, I want us to think about the development of another potential family destinationa new town center of sorts that would combine the best of our cultural and community resources 5

in downtown Green Bay. Downtown has tremendous opportunity to create a cultural campus between the two bridges that will hopefully draw Brown County residents downtown to a new and existing interactive museum, and futuristic library. Building upon the successes of the City of Green Bay s downtown re-development under the leadership of Mayor Jim Schmitt, the cultural campus could tie into these efforts. I would like to recognize Mayor Schmitt and Downtown Green Bay Inc., Jeff Mirkes for their continued efforts for securing a vibrant downtown Green Bay. Looking to the future possibilities of the area, Brown County has committed excess room tax to be a major contributor in the funding of Green Bay s expansion of the KI Convention Center. I would like to recognize Brown County Supervisors; Pat Evans, Tom DeWane, and Patrick Buckley for being instrumental in bridging the communication efforts between the communities. Unfortunately, some of the best activities are the best kept secrets in the county, so tonight; I m announcing we re going social. We re going to do a better job of communicating all the great opportunities that are out there for families. We need to reengage our kids and families to get out doors and enjoy nature. As a part of that, I m also announcing tonight that we re making our trails and parks interactive by using technology to create GPS marks for smart technology to make the environmental and history a fun learning experience for everyone. Supervisor Steve Fewell, I will look to your leadership on this issue because I know you have an interest in the County creating apps. I would also like to thank Judy Knudsen and her team at the U.W. Extension for implementing the FIELDS program that will help engage k-12 students to better understand first hand environmental science, and engage them in the outdoors. Another great example of improving our quality of life along with our environment is demonstrated by Brown County Park Management, in a collaborative effort with the Oneida Tribe, they removed two dams at Pamperin Park that presented significant barriers to natural fish movement in Duck Creek. The removal of these obstructions has returned the creek to its natural condition. I would like to recognize Oneida Tribe Chairman Ed Delgado and Park Director Doug Hartman for their collaborative effort on this project. As you can see there has been a tremendous amount of activity within our community as a result of the collaboration and dedication of many individuals. And, you will see more of this in the years to come. However, before I conclude my state of the county remarks, I want to personally ask something of each of you. There are those in our community who have fallen, there are those who walk in the shadows of life, and there are those who are in crisis. We know that government alone cannot solve all the complex issues within our community. So I am asking you to get involved, become a volunteer, become a mentor, become a member of a civic organization. Together, we will ensure the future of our community. We need to remember we re all in this together. Thank you for your time.