On Tuesday, March 14, 2017, Jefferson County had their monthly meeting. They discussed the appointment of a new judge, a resignation of Tim Smith and the strategic plan consultant. The main discussion for the meeting was the appointment of the new circuit court judge.

Robert F. Dehring Jr., currently the Waukesha County Court commissioner, will take the position of circuit court judge on April 1, 2017. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree and then Marquette University Law School in 2003. After that he became a lawyer in private practice.

“I came to Jefferson in 2009 to work in the office of corporation counsel. I was mainly a attorney prosecuting child support cases. In August of 2010, Judge Koschnick appointed me part-time commissioner in the county. I did work mainly handling pre-trial divorces and evictions and small claims in the county.”

Dehring Jr. has lived in Southeastern Wisconsin his entire life. He currently resides on the Jefferson County side of Oconomowoc with his wife, Traci, and their 10-month-old daughter.

“I’ve been recently appointed by Gov. Walker as the next Branch III judge to succeed Judge Wambach. What I’ve been doing is making my way to the meetings of the cities, towns and villages in Jefferson County to introduce myself and that’s why I come to the county board this evening, to let you know how excited I am to join you again here in the courts.”

Dehring will serve through April 2018, at which time an election for the seat will be held.

They moved on to other news, and mentioned that Timothy A. Smith, county board supervisor, District 29, has announced his resignation. He has stated in an email the reasons for his resignation was for personal and family business.

At the moment, District 29 has been remaining vacant.

In other business, the board also discussed:

• The board also heard a report on the selection of a strategic plan facilitator.
• Chamness Group of Brookfield was selected by the Administration and Rules Committee last month. The budget will be $15,000 to $20,000.
• They also proclaimed March as Professional Social Work Month
• They also proclaimed month April as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.

The Jefferson county board meeting happens once a month and the next meeting is on April 18, 2017.