County Board to review meeting schedule

The issue of what time of day the County Board should meet is rearing its head again, but with committee backing this time.

The Administrative Committee approved a recommendation Monday to approve a resolution changing the County Board meetings to evenings year-round. The measure, which would alter County Board Rule 1, will go before the County Board on Dec. 18.

The County Board usually meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month from May through September and at 9 a.m. from October through April.

Supervisor Gene Hoppe, committee chairman, said he was concerned that Supervisor Sandy Steinke was opting not to run for another term in 2014 because daytime meetings would not fit into her new job schedule.

“I was called up and asked, ‘Gene, could it go back on the agenda?’” Hoppe said.

Supervisor Jerry Erdmann said he knows of at least three County Board members who have issues with daytime meetings. He has also fielded several calls from potential board candidates with similar concerns.

“To them, it would make a difference whether it was a day meeting or a night meeting,” he said.

“We’re structured so that you have to be either unemployed, retired or self-employed in order to run for this position, and there’s something wrong with that,” Supervisor Deb Noffke said. “I think it’s Sandy Steinke who is bringing this to a head because she’s an asset to the board.”

Noffke noted that former Bonduel supervisor Tom Martell did not run in 2012 because the meeting times conflicted with his work as an attorney. She also said former Shawano supervisor Tyler Schmidt used up his vacation time at work to serve out a term on the County Board, before having to leave in 2006.

“That’s a terrible thing, when you have somebody who wants to serve and realizes they just can’t afford to,” Noffke said.

Supervisor Kathy Luebke, who predicted the resolution call for all night meetings would be defeated, questioned whether meeting at 1 p.m. would be an acceptable compromise. She suggested it would be a good thing for committee meetings, as well, as the committees generally meet during the day.

Supervisor William Switalla said that he thought the County Board meetings were at night when he ran for his Wittenberg seat in 2012. He noted he has a hard time making daytime board meetings.

“Committee meetings are a little easier because you can adjust them, meet on a different day,” Switalla said.

Supervisor Bonnie Olson spoke against the resolution, noting some potential board candidates might have difficulty attending night meetings, and suggested continuing the current schedule.