Budget Form

Welcome to the Sauk County 2009 Budget Survey

The mission of Sauk County is:

"To provide essential services to the residents of Sauk County in a fiscally responsible manner that promotes safety, economic development, and stewardship of natural resources while encouraging the development of cultural, social, and community values that enhance human dignity."

County government has a dual role of providing state services at the local level as well as being a unit of local self-government. Within this construct, Sauk County offers programming and services in the areas of Conservation, Development, Recreation, Culture and Education; General Government Services; Health and Human Services; Justice and Public Safety; and Public Works. Although not every resident directly uses each program or service provided, the community as a whole benefits from the enhanced quality of life of our neighbors.

Sauk County supervisors, elected officials, and employees are committed to keeping Sauk County one of the best places to live in Wisconsin and the nation. Doing so requires us to continually gauge the priorities of residents and adjust operations to meet changing needs. We ask that you complete the following survey in its entirety to help us gauge countywide priorities. Please keep in mind that in this survey we are

not

asking, "How are we doing?" This too is an important question and we encourage you to voice your opinion by e-mailing your comments to

webliaison@co.sauk.wi.us

. The question we are asking in this survey is, "What should the priorities be for Sauk County government?"

The survey is designed so that you can comment by program area on the value of county services provided by your tax dollars. For each service, please click one box indicating if you feel programming should be decreased, maintained, or increased.

Public Safety

Patrol		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Investigation		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Emergency Response Team		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Boat patrol		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Snowmobile patrol		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Warrant service		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Courthouse security		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

DARE - Drug Abuse Resistance Education and community outreach		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Drug Task Force - multi-agency drug task force including narcotics investigations		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Access to Sheriff's offices remote from Baraboo - precincts		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Secure and work release jail operations		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Jail Alternatives - alcohol and drug abuse counseling, electronic monitoring		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Community Service - alternatives to incarceration where defendants work at non-profit agencies instead of setting out the time in jail		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Communications Center - E911 dispatch		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Dispatch provided by non-County units of government		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Coroner - death investigations		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Emergency Management - disaster/emergency planning		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Judicial

Circuit court system for all criminal matters		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Circuit court system for all civil matters, including family actions		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

District Attorney - prosecutorial function for all crimes		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Victim / Witness assistance		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Clerk of Court - administrative support for court system		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Passport issuance		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Register in Probate - supervises probate of estates and trusts, administrative support for guardianships and commitments for court system		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Mediation - dispute resolution for child custody		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Health & Social Services - Aging and Disability Programs

Nutrition Programs		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Meals - home delivered and meal sites		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Energy assistance		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Information and outreach		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Senior centers		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Vocational opportunities		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Adult day care and respite		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Residential nursing home care		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Inpatient rehabilitation		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Outpatient therapies - physical, occupational, speech, psychiatric		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

In-home assistance - home nursing care, personal care, chore assistance		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Coordinated transportation of clients		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Health & Social Services - County Health

Environmental Health - health code inspections, radon testing, on-site wastewater systems, wells, rabies control, inspection of retail food establishments, asbestos and lead testing, inspection of hotels, motels and campgrounds		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Maternal and Child Health and the Women, Infant and Children programs		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Adult Health - express enrollment in Medicaid, visiting nurses and therapists program (Home Health Care), paternity testing, medical voucher program, foot clinic		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Children and School Health - public health immunization nurses in schools, oral health programs, fluoride programs, Rural Safety Days, Dental Mobile		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Communicable disease prevention, detection, surveillance and control: TB, Measles, Chicken Pox, Salmonella, Avaian Flu, rubella, STDs West Nile virus, etc.		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Public Health Emergency Preparedness - Pandemic BioTerrorism Planning and Readiness (anti-viral medications, protective clothing, etc.)		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Health & Social Services - Human Services

Safety and protection for children who are abused or neglected		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Services for adults and children with mental illness		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Services for adults and children who are developmentally disabled (DD) or developmentally delayed		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Services for frail elderly and physically disabled		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Services for youth offenders		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Financial, employment and economic assistance - W2, Food Stamps, Child Care, and Medical Assistance		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Services for adults and youth with alcohol and/or other drug abuse problems		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Transportation - programs that serve the transportation needs of clients, enabling them to reach employment, medical care and other resources		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Recruitment, development, licensing and training of foster care and kinship care providers, and the certification of adult family home providers		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Fraud investigation and recovery		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Emergency shelter and transitional housing for homeless families or battered women and their children		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Programs to prevent substance abuse and child abuse and neglect		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Comprehensive coordinated services to prevent placement of children and adolescents in alternate care (foster homes, group homes, residential care centers)		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Other Health & Social Services

Establish and enforce child and medical support orders		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Establish paternity for nonmarital children		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Animal protection and safety		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Veterans' Federal and State benefits programs		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Veterans' education and outreach		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Health & Social Services - Housing Authority

Authority-owned housing for low income families		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Rent subsidies for low income families		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Rent subsidies and supportive services for low income frail elderly		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Loans to low and moderate income families for housing rehabilitation, down payments and closing costs, and septic system replacement		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Transportation

*County highways are those mostly rural roads identified by a letter such as highway “A”*

County Highways: Sign and Line Painting		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

County Highways: Pothole patching, ditch cleaning, culvert repairs, crack filling, other general maintenance		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

County Highways Mowing and brush cutting		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

County Highways: Snow plowing, from 4 am to 8 pm		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

County Highways: Snow plowing, from 8 pm to 4 am		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

County Highways: Snow plowing on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

County Highways: Road and bridge reconstruction		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

County Highways: litter and trash pickup		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

*State highways are those roads identified by a number such as US12 and I-94. The county contracts with D.O.T. to do this work*

State Highways: Snow plowing		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

State Highways: All other maintenance work		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

*Local highways are those roads identified by a proper name such as Tower Drive. The county contracts with some towns, villages or cities to assist with their work.*

Local Highways: All contracted work to assist other agencies		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Airports		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Rail		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Leisure & Education

Campgrounds		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Beaches and boat landings		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Dam operation and maintenance		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Trails systems - biking, hiking, horseback riding, skiing, and snowmobile trails		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

County forest and nature reserve		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Assistance to farmers in agricultural productivity, profitability and environmental balance		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Home garden and commercial horticulture services		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Parenting skills development, nutrition education and aging care information		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

4-H youth development in leadership and citizenship		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Tourism and promotion		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Promotion and maintenance of the arts and history		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Consumer decision education		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Community and local government assistance in leadership training, land use planning and economic development		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Libraries		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Land Use/Land Records

Zoning / Building Codes - construction and land use regulations / inspections		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Comprehensive Planning - land use planning activities		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Surveyor - survey records management and preservation of U.S. Public Land Survey System		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Real Property Listing - maintains data relating to real estate ownership		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Register of Deeds - document recording for property transfers, births, deaths, business incorporations, etc.		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Conservation

Curbside recycling		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Clean Sweep		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Electronics disposal		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Brush site management		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Technical planning and financial assistance to farms to help address soil erosion and runoff pollution to prevent surface and groundwater contamination		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Planning and technical assistance to landowners to help address the influx of invasive species		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Lake rehabilitation for reducing sedimentation and pollution in county lakes		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Programs designed to provide permanent protection for agricultural lands such as purchases of development rights		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

General Government

County Board and Committee operations		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Corporation Counsel - in-house attorney operations, mental commitments, termination of parental rights		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Administrative Coordinator - manages overall county operations		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Personnel - employee management, labor negotiations		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Information Systems - manages county computer operations		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Maintenance - manages mechanical systems, buildings and grounds		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Safety / Risk Management		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Finance - general accounting, accounts payable and payroll		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

County Clerk - county board minutes, marriage licenses, dog licenses, elections, public sale of delinquent tax properties		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Treasurer - property tax processing and collection		Decrease Programming Maintain Programming Increase Programming

Overall Priorities

Ever increasing costs and calls for services create budget shortfalls. Please select from among the options below the best way to approach budget shortfalls

A. Increase user fees and other non-levy sources of revenue to offset increased costs.
B. Reduce current levels of service but maintain all current programs.
C. Delete nonessential services and programs to reduce the budget shortfall.
D. Maintain or increase service levels in high priority programs while decreasing service levels in low priority programs to reduce budget shortfalls.
E. Other, Please specify

If a service can be provided by the private sector, under what circumstances should government provide that service? Please select from among the options below.

A. If the service can be provided by government more efficiently, at less cost.
B. If the service can be provided by government more effectively.
C. If it would be more costly to other areas of the government if the service was not provided.
D. If there is still need in the community for the service.
E. Other, please specify

What is the ideal size for the Sauk County Board (currently 31 members)?

Please add any comments that you would like considered as priorities are examined

If you have questions or would like further information, please note them below.

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