Waukesha County Board candidates focus on development, budget and safety in District 2

In the large swath of land that surrounds the city of Oconomowoc are municipalities that depend more heavily on Waukesha County services. It's in this realm that one of just three races for the County Board has unfolded, with a challenge to the incumbent.

In District 2, which includes Oconomowoc Lake, Summit, the village of Lac La Belle and more significantly the town of Oconomowoc, incumbent Matthew E. Weil is facing a challenge from Wayne Euclide in the April 2 local elections.

Among the issues they discussed in response to questions was the budgeting challenges the county is facing for its next fiscal year after relying partly on American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a pandemic-related mechanism that helped local governments deal with the upheaval caused by COVID-19. ARPA funds were included in budgets through 2024, but no such funding will carry over in 2025.

Here's more about the candidates, in alphabetical order:

Wayne Euclide

Age: 63 (born in 1960)

Occupation: Currently a member of the Town of Oconomowoc Plan Commission and a substitute teacher at Lake Country Lutheran High School. Recent retired from GE Healthcare (39 years in engineering and senior management roles, including director of product management). Master of Science degree in electrical engineering and computer science from Marquette University

Political experience: Town Board liaison to the Oconomowoc Plan Commission

Endorsements and paid support (if any): Endorsed by Oconomowoc Town Board Chairman Robert Hultquist and Town Supervisor VJ Scully. No paid support or contributions.

Contact information: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555876473261

Euclide says community engagement is key for Waukesha County supervisors

Euclide said his experience as a plan commissioner in the town of Oconomowoc reinforced his feeling of representative government, keeping constituents close to the issues.

"I am running for the Waukesha County District 2 supervisor position at the urging of residents and municipal leaders of the district, who desire more proactive, locally engaged representation," he said. "I feel proactive, local engagement is critical for representation that is of the people, by the people, for the people."

His experience on that plan commission, as well as other volunteer boards, plays into the kind of service he envisions for the County Board seat, Euclide said. His leadership positions at GE Healthcare will also help, he added, with an eye toward "a smaller, smarter county government."

County budget will be a tough issue, given the projected deficit

Waukesha County's budget concerns are real and foreboding, with a projected deficit of $34.9 million by 2028 forcing some "tough decisions" that supervisors will be a part of, Euclide said.

He said he met with Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow and Waukesha County Board Chairman Paul Decker in January to discuss the budget, and those proactive discussions only added to his concerns.

"In these discussions, both leaders concurred that the most pressing issue facing our county is budgetary — maintaining the standards of service our county residents expect while navigating inflation, pandemic relief and ARPA funds sunsetting, property tax levy limits, increased borrowing, and state shared revenue constraints," Euclide said. "Unfortunately, these budget pressures will not abate soon."

He said he wants a budget that prioritizes public safety, mental health and critical infrastructure, including safe roads and bridges. "Even with tight budgets, I will push for smart investments that will save taxpayer dollars in the future," he added.

Euclide believes new development needs to be addressed, particularly for town

As he considers priorities for a potential first-term, Euclide noted one issue on what he believes "people are thinking about" right now: new developments in the county, particularly around Oconomowoc. His take: It needs to be managed well.

"New development helps lower tax rates," he said. "I support thoughtful development consistent with the strategic plans of the municipalities and county, but only if safe and adequate infrastructure is also designed and planned. The farmland, nature areas, lakes and watersheds that make our district and the Lake Country communities special must be preserved and protected."

Because the town of Oconomowoc is incorporated like cities and villages, Euclide noted that the county regulates zoning within it. His background gives him an understanding of the town’s comprehensive plan and its priorities, he said, and that in turn would help the county improve management and planning of any proposed developments if he is elected.

Matthew E. Weil (incumbent)

Age: 38 (1985)

Occupation: Attorney

Political experience: Waukesha County Board (2022 – present)

Endorsements and paid support: Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson, Waukesha County Board Chairman Paul Decker, Former District 2 Waukesha County Board Supervisor Dave Zimmerman (2013-2022), Waukesha County Board District 1 Supervisor Tyler Foti, Village of Oconomowoc Lake President Mike Bickler, Village of Oconomowoc Lake Trustee Derek Taylor, Village of Oconomowoc Lake Trustee Paul Fischer, City of Oconomowoc Alderman Matt Rosek, Village of Summit Trustee Justin Phillips.

Contact information: weilforlakecountry.com

Weil's interest in second term stems from community involvement and his role in county initiatives

Weil, who was elected in 2022 to the seat, said he wants to keep serving because of both his connections to the community and what his experiences have amounted to in his first term.

His involvement includes raising a family locally with his wife in the area in which they were also raised. He said they are all active in events and venues locally, including use of the Lake Country Trail. All of that local engagement benefits the board, Weil said.

But it's his profession as an attorney that largely netted him an appointment to leadership positions on both the Judiciary and Law Enforcement Committee and Health and Human Services Committee.

"The primary functions of county supervisors are to evaluate the efficiency of county programming and to make budgetary decisions," he said. "I researched this position at great length before running in 2022 and I determined that utilizing my professional experience on behalf of the county was the best way for me to serve my community."

In those roles, he has helped in county initiatives, including the hiring and retention of "critical" staff in the Waukesha County Sheriff's Office, the Waukesha County Communications Center and the county jail; programs aimed at battling fentanyl overdoses; expansion of the county's mental health program and the establishment of the new Crisis Stabilization Center, Weil said.

Weil says county was smart and careful in use of ARPA funds in past budgets

Weil said the two county budgets during his term were fiscally responsible packages that helped cut costs and improve county services. That included the strategic use of American Rescue Plan Act, a federal 2021 program that was intended to aid local governments stressed by revenue losses tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. The county was allocated about $78.5 million in ARPA funds.

"I’m extremely proud of the way our County Board approached the handling of ARPA funds," Weil said.

Most of the ARPA dollars were used to fund capital projects and one-time costs, including $36 million for the courthouse renovation and expansion project, $2.5 million for the medical examiner office renovation, $1.5 million for health and human service department technology enhancements and $1.5 million for the Mental Health Center redesign project.

For the 2024 budget, about $2 million was allocated to phase in raises for officers and other positions identified in a countywide compensation study as necessary for retention, Weil noted.

"By phasing in the raises with ARPA funds, we were able to get the upfront benefit of retaining valuable staff members — despite once-in-a-generation labor market pressure — without needing to go to taxpayers for additional funding," he said. "There are plans in place to utilize shared revenue funds to replace these ARPA dollars, and a Budget Task Force is being created to continue looking forward and provide direction for future budgets over the next five to 10 years."

Weil knows residents have concerns about public safety and ongoing property development

There are other hot topics from the public's perspective. Beyond budgetary concerns, people want to feel safe and they want to be told someone is watching how new developments affect where they live, Weil said.

"Public safety is the No. 1 concern. I am endorsed by Sheriff Severson because of my work as vice chair of the Judiciary and Law Enforcement Committee," he said. "We addressed staffing challenges head on by hiring and retaining officers and staff at the Dispatch Center. I will continue to support programs that save and protect lives."

The growth of Lake Country, both in terms of population and developments, has been notable in recent years, and Weil said he believes the government bodies must be "thoughtful about developments to ensure they fit and enhance the area." But that doesn't mean the county should displace local municipalities as the primary managers.

"As a conservative, I believe the local governments in my district are in the best position to make decisions for their residents. The county should support and not micromanage their decisions on development and local zoning," Weil said.

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waukesha County Board District 2 candidates focus on issues