Winnebago County executive candidates clash on transparency, budget and housing at League forum

The two candidates for Winnebago County executive outlined contrasting approaches to budget forecasting, county staffing and services during a League of Women Voters forum moderated by Margie Davie.

Gordon Hintz, a former Wisconsin State Assembly member and past minority leader, said his top priorities would be clearer public communication, budget accuracy and protecting county services. "Transparency, real transparency, true transparency... needs to be more than just... complying with the law," Hintz said, adding he wants budgets and policy information presented in forms the public can understand so taxpayers can "follow the decisions that we're making." He warned that recent budget documents were less digestible than earlier versions and said the administration should make the public part of strategic planning earlier.

Incumbent Winnebago County Executive John Damel emphasized service delivery and the administrative changes his office has made in recent years. "County government really is about service to people," Damel said, noting efforts to align departments, develop priority-based budgeting and expand outreach so residents do not have to visit county buildings for services. Damel defended increases in county staffing and consultants as necessary to build professional administration and address operational…