County Board appoints new circuit judge
By Emily Leclair
March 27, 2017
JEFFERSON, Wisconsin – The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners opened its meeting on March 14, 2017 at the Jefferson County Courthouse with the introduction of the new Circuit Court Judge Branch III, Robert Dehring, effect April 1.
Dehring, a Southeast Wisconsin native, is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and earned a law degree from Marquette University of Milwaukee.
“My wife and I couldn’t be happier to be rejoining you all in Jefferson County,” Dehring said.
Dehring came to Jefferson County back in 2009, when he was practicing law as a prosecuting attorney. He looks forward to his role as the new Circuit Court Judge.
The appointment of Dehring was followed by a presentation from Wisconsin Municipal Mutual Insurance Co. Director Dean Boes.
Jefferson County joined WMMI 2009, but Boes reviewed the new 2017 structure for the county, while providing an updated list of the most recent members of WMMI including Miller Park Stadium District.
During the annual reports, the board took time to recognize Register of Deeds, Staci Hoffman, who was awarded Constitutional Officer of the Year.
Hoffman joked it was so unexpected that she had a mouth full of food when they called her name to accept the award.
County Administrator Ben Wehmeier presented the 2017 Strategic Plan Report, which was originally completed in 2010.
After conducting interviews, the Administration and Rules Committee hired the Chamness Group of Brookfield, WI, to update the plan.
According to the report, the new budget allows for $15,000-$20,000 and is expected to be completed by August of 2017 after extensive interviews have been conducted with elected officials, staff and the public for input toward the plan.
Finance Committee Board:
- A unanimous vote adopted the authorization of year-end requests to carry over funds for the 2017 fiscal year.
- A unanimous vote authorized the contingency fund transfer to offset the 2016 fiscal year department deficits.
Other actions:
- The Human Services Board voted all in favor proclaiming the Month of March 2017 as the Professional Social Worker Month, while also voting all in favor to proclaim the Month of April 2017 as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.
- The Human Services Department voted 28 to one absent to the authorization of $85,000 in capital funds in the Human Services Department budget, which was originally budgeted for the replacement of roofing.
The Jefferson County Board will hold its next meeting on April 17 at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
