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Supervisor warns of mismanagement, potential liability in regional workforce board; county considers exit options
Summary
Vernon County's local elected official on the Western Wisconsin Workforce Development Board reported bookkeeping problems, disallowed costs and possible litigation exposure, and said counties are negotiating a population-based allocation of liabilities while planning options including dissolution and joining another district.
Bruce (speaker 6), Vernon County’s Local Elected Official to the Western Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, told supervisors the county learned of significant governance and accounting problems at the regional workforce board. He said poor record-keeping, lack of a director, inconsistent oversight and disallowed costs have exposed member counties to substantial liability and that local elected officials voted to propose allocating responsibility based on population.
County legal and administrative staff summarized possible paths: accept the population-based allocation among eight counties, negotiate different terms, or seek state resolution. Bruce and staff urged planning for an exit strategy and for cleaning up accounting records; the county has until Jan. 1, 2026, to secure a fiscal agent or face potential state action. Board members discussed timelines for getting books in order and the need for an agreed accounting and liability plan before the county commits to long-term financial exposure.
