Dunn County legislative committee endorses in-person outreach to state lawmakers

The Dunn County Legislative Committee recommended on May 14 that the committee chair and the county manager pursue in-person meetings with local state legislators to present the county's legislative agenda and build ongoing relationships.

Committee members said personal meetings would raise the county's visibility at the State Capitol and create easier access when the county needs to advocate on specific items. "I really think that it would be well worth our time for the chair of the committee and also the county manager to meet 1 on 1 with our legislators," Supervisor Morehouse said during the discussion.

The recommendation grows from a staff effort to document the history of Dunn County's legislative engagement and to provide options for how to deliver the agenda to decisionmakers. County Manager Chris Corpula told the committee the staff report was intended to "solidify the history" of past contacts and to lay out options for moving the October 2024 legislative agenda to legislators.

Committee members discussed several approaches on the report's options list and preferred a combination: pursuing individual, in-person meetings (described in the staff report as "option 4") while continuing the ongoing process for developing the county legislative agenda (a staff-driven option described as "option 2"). Supervisor McCullough moved that the committee adopt that course; Supervisor Morehouse seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote.

Members emphasized factual preparation for conversations with legislators so the county establishes a credible record even when outcomes are uncertain. The committee also noted the county's legislative items can be submitted to the Wisconsin Counties Association but that association priorities may differ from Dunn County's local requests. The committee asked staff to memorialize the recommendation so the preferred outreach approach is clear for future chairs and managers.