OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Outagamie County may withdraw from the East Central Regional Planning Commission, as the two disagree about dues and services performed.
Wisconsin has nine regional planning commissions. They provide planning assistance on regional issues, assist local interests in responding to state and federal programs, act as a coordinating agency for programs and activities, and provide planning and development assistance to local governments, according to the description on the state DOT website.
The East Central region includes Menominee, Shawano, Waupaca, Outagamie, Waushara, Winnebago, Calumet, Marquette, Green Lake and Fond du Lac counties.
Earlier this week, the Outagamie County Board’s Finance Committee voted to withdraw from the ECWRPC.
In an email to other governmental leaders, the county explained its rationale:
“We are a strong proponent of regional planning, however it appears that ECWRPC services, as reflected by our annual levy dues, are disproportionately benefiting non-Outagamie County members and municipalities. Please refer to the attachment included with the resolution that points out the discrepancy for what our peer counties pay for similar RPC/regional planning services served by other RPCs. Outagamie County’s actions will not stop our continued efforts to reach a mutually beneficial resolution to our funding and governance concerns, however we must meet our statutory notice requirements for withdrawal in the event further negotiations prove fruitless,” says the letter signed by Jeff Nooyen, board chairman, and Kevin Sturn, finance committee chair.
ECWRPC Executive Director Eric Fowle issued a statement, saying the panel wants to keep Outagamie County as a member.
“The Commission is well aware of Outagamie County’s past and current concerns regarding its annual levy charges and services being provided. Attempts to address these concerns through agency-wide strategic planning were initiated in mid-2019. Based on those meetings held to date the process is taking longer than initially thought. While the Commission has some level of disagreement on the basis for their proposed withdrawal from the organization, ECWRPC nonetheless values the membership of Outagamie County. We are hopeful that we can continue to work together to resolve these issues within our statutory framework,” the release states.
The resolution before the County Board notes the financial impact:
“Outagamie County’s 2019 levy contribution (dues) were $236,437, and have since increased to $240,904 for 2020. Outagamie County’s contributions, when adjusted for population, are more than double the per capita rate peer counties in comparable regional planning commissions are paying for similar core services. Given state and county budgetary constraints, the disparity in dues paid by Outagamie County has caused concern from both administration and county board leadership.”
If the county would withdraw, it be effective at the end of the calendar year.
