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County adopts policy to appoint impartial hearing examiners for contested cases
Summary
The board adopted a standing policy under Wis. Stat. 68.11 to appoint impartial hearing examiners where county ordinances are silent on presiding officers, aiming to separate fact‑finding from the board’s final adjudication and to meet the 15‑day statutory scheduling window.
The Vernon County Board unanimously adopted Resolution 20 26 37 to establish a consistent policy for appointing impartial hearing examiners in contested‑case proceedings under Wis. Stat. 68.11 when ordinances are silent on who presides. County counsel and staff proposed the standing policy to avoid the board acting as both fact‑finder and final decision maker — a practice that can raise procedural and appellate challenges. The resolution gives the county administrative coordinator and corporation counsel responsibility to identify and assign an impartial hearing officer and allows the board to retain final decision authority after receiving the examiner’s recommendation.
Nikki, speaking for staff, explained the change was prompted by a current enforcement action and stressed that the policy preserves the board’s authority while improving administrative efficiency and protecting the evidentiary record for any judicial review.
