governmental services - GORacine.org

FUND: GENERALGOVERNMENTAL SERVICESCOUNTY BOARDPeter L. Hansen, ChairmanOPERATING AUTHORITY AND PURPOSEThe County Board of Supervisors is authorized in the Wisconsin Statutes (Chapter 59) to exercise powers for awide variety of local government activities. There are currently 21 members of the Board, elected every 2 yearsfrom separate geographic districts, each with a population of approximately 9,305.The County Board is the Legislative Branch of Racine County Government, creating all ordinances andresolutions that enable County Government to operate. Its most important legislative activity focuses onreviewing and approving the annual Racine County Budget as presented by the County Executive.As part of the budget process, the Board, with the leadership of its Finance and Human Resources Committee,reviews operations and programming for all departments. The review includes staffing, salaries and benefits,capital expenditures, reserve funds, debt levels, and all other costs. To fund the annual budget, the Board mustpass property tax levies, as well as set user fees and fines as allowed by State law.In order to ensure that County Government functions according to the budget, the Board uses a committee systemto review all operations. Currently, the standing committees are: Executive (9 members); Finance and HumanResources (7 members); Economic Development and Land Use Planning (7 members); Public Works, Parks andFacilities (7 members); Health and Human Development (6 members); and Government Services (7 members).The County Board Chair assigns committee membership and chooses the Chair of each Committee.EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURESAll County Board members are representatives elected by the people of Racine County. Accountability to thepublic includes day-to-day responsiveness to citizen concerns and the public’s decision to elect board members inApril of every even-numbered year. Each supervisor strives to ensure that the citizens of the County receiveexcellent services at an efficient cost. The County Board, through its oversight functions, watches all Countyoperations and conducts strategic planning, policy-making, and budget decisions.2013 GOALS AND BUDGET STRATEGIESMake Racine County the most accessible county in Wisconsin for businesses to grow, develop, and createfamily supporting jobs.Develop a system that encourages citizens, employees, and elected officials to provide input towards refiningthe core programs and services delivered by Racine County.Foster an environment where intergovernmental cooperation is encouraged to improve services andefficiencies.Reduce or limit the growth of the tax levy.Make Racine County a healthy, safe, clean, and crime-free community and environment.PAGE 1 - 1