COUNTY BOARD CANDIDATE DATA SHEET

 NAME:  Tara Johnson

ADDRESS: N980 Bloomer Mill Road

 PHONE NUMBER: 788-7970

 E-MAIL:  bloomermill@centurytel.net

AGE: 45

NUMBER OF YEARS LIVED IN La Crosse COUNTY: 16 years

FAMILY:  Married to Tim Padesky and we have two children; Nicholas, 11 and Layna, 9

EDUCATION:  BA Carroll College, Waukesha, WI

OCCUPATION (if retired, former occupation):  Former Executive Director of the United Way (1993-2000)

ELECTED OFFICES HELD (include years served):

 La Crosse County Board of Supervisors 2000 - present

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS:

Classroom volunteer at Southern Bluffs Elementary and Roosevelt/Coulee Montessori schools.

Rotary Club of La Crosse

La Crosse Area Dental Access Coalition

League of Women Voters

Board Member:            La Crosse County Economic Development Fund, Inc.

                                    La Crosse Public Education Foundation

                                    Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission           

                                     Mississippi Valley Health Systems (Lakeview Partnership)

                                    West Central Consortium (Regional Care Management Organization)

                                   

 

La Crosse County Board Candidate Questionnaire

 

Why do you want to serve on the La Crosse County Board?

I want to continue cutting our County tax rates while ensuring residents receive the services they need.  The County Board has accomplished a great deal in recent years, but there is more to be done.  In the next two years, I specifically, want to help lead the County through the roll-out of the new Lakeview partnership which will save La Crosse County Taxpayers $780,000 in 2008 alone.  Also, I want to ensure the successful launch of the Women’s Community Based Program which will save tax dollars by keeping women out of jail and improve life outcomes for women offenders, their children and families.

 

B. What are the two most pressing issues facing La Crosse County, and what do you think La Crosse County government should do about them?

 1.) Keeping our tax rate among the lowest of all 72 counties.  Currently, La Crosse County has the third lowest tax rate of all counties – we know how to be frugal.  We need to keep following our own conservative fiscal policies and practices.

2.) Continue to collaborate with our partners.  Regionalization of services will be the norm not the exception in the future.  Because of our proven track record of success, La Crosse County will continue to be asked to lead innovative partnerships and other collaborative ventures.  These partnerships save La Crosse tax dollars and improve the quality and level of services for us and our partners.  We have a responsibility and an obligation to keep innovating and collaborating whenever and wherever it is in La Crosse County’s best interest.

The next several questions will ask your feelings about past and future actions by the county board. Please answer by putting an “X” next to the statement that most closely reflects your view. Then, please explain your reasons in writing

1. Do you support or oppose reducing the size of the county board by half?

Strongly Support

Support

No opinion XXXXXXX

Oppose

Strongly Oppose

 

Reason:  A few years ago, the County Board structure of 17 standing committees and a weak Administrative Coordinator position lead to lots of micro-managing and frustration for me as a newly elected Supervisor.  I thought, as did many others, that the answer to our dysfunction was to cut the size of the board.  Today, with a streamlined committee structure and a strong, very effective County Administrator we have become a much higher performing County Board.  I do believe the County Board size warrants more thorough study.  While it can make for some lengthy debates and very long meetings, I have come to appreciate the richness and diversity of 35 points of view especially because they are welcomed, respected and handled well by our County Board Chair, Steve Doyle. 

 

2. With the switch to a county administrator four years ago, how satisfied are you with the county board’s new role as a board of directors that makes policy decisions rather than operational decisions?

Very satisfied XXXXX

Satisfied

No opinion

Unsatisfied

Very unsatisfied

Reason:  La Crosse County has the third lowest tax rate in the state. That is a clear demonstration of our effectiveness as a board.  The thoughtful, comprehensive study of our criminal justice system and needs which led to the unanimous jail vote is another good example.

 

3. How satisfied are you with the county administrator's new four-year contract?

Very satisfied

Satisfied XXXXX

No opinion

Unsatisfied

Very unsatisfied

 

Reason:  When department leaders and union employees alike speak passionately in support of the County Administrator I take notice.  When they seek me out to tell me in person that they are very happy with the direction the County is headed in and that they are proud to work for La Crosse County I listen.  The County Administrator’s leadership is directly responsible for employee productivity, innovation and morale.  Steve O’Malley is a proven leader.  Leadership does not come cheap.  I don’t like to have to pay for an expensive Administrator’s contract, but, it is clear to me, that La Crosse County is more than getting its money’s worth.

 

4. How satisfied are you with the proposed “smart growth” comprehensive plan scheduled for county board approval in coming months?

Very satisfied   XXXXXX

Satisfied

No opinion

Unsatisfied

Very unsatisfied

 

Reason:  Planning is hard work.  And, it is work that must be done in order to be responsible stewards of the limited natural and financial resources we have.  As Co-chair of the Steering Committee, not only did I learn a great deal about planning, I also learned that lots of folks in our community have strong feelings about “smart growth”.  Not surprisingly, they don’t all have the same opinions.  I believe the proposed Comprehensive Plan is a very good plan.   It represents thousands of hours of study and review, hundreds of opinions and numerous hours of discussion over a thirty month process.  In the end, it is a very good plan that strikes a very sustainable, realistic balance of very divergent but valid points of view.  

 

5. Do you support or oppose having the county board hold a referendum before borrowing money for buildings or other capital projects?

Strongly Support

Support

No opinion

Oppose  XXXXX

Strongly Oppose

Reason:  We are elected to represent our constituents to the best of our ability.  The levy caps imposed by the state require a referendum in order to exceed those levels.  If La Crosse County can fund capital projects within those limits because of our excellent bond rating and overall conservative fiscal practices and policies, I don’t believe a referendum is necessary.

 

 

6. Do you support or oppose La Crosse County being the main developer of its vacant Lakeview Farm property in West Salem?

Strongly Support

Support  XXXXXX

No opinion

Oppose

Strongly Oppose

 

Reason:  I think we have a responsibility and an obligation to determine a vision or Master Plan for County owned property.  The Master Plan should be consistent with the County’s long range goals and consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan.  In recent budgets we have added Economic Development staff members that impress me very much.  They have successfully negotiated a number of favorable deals in the Lakeview Business Park and Lakeview is developing a very favorable reputation in the area.   I’m not sure how the county will benefit from giving up those development rights that we are handling deftly on our own.  Moreover, in these uncertain economic times, putting resources into finding someone else to do what we are already doing well may not make financial sense.

 

 

7. Do you support or oppose La Crosse County's criminal justice philosophy, which includes finding alternatives to jail for offenders who are not a danger to the community?

Strongly Support  XXXXX

Support

No opinion

Oppose

Strongly Oppose

 

Reason:  Because La Crosse County’s jail alternatives; save money, keep non-violent offenders out of jail, cut recidivism, provide appropriate treatment and improve the life outcomes for offenders and their children and families. 

 

 

8. Do you support or oppose spending more of the county's budget reserves to reduce the property tax levy?

Strongly Support

Support

No opinion

Oppose XXXXX

Strongly Oppose

 

Reason:  Only for limited, occasional, special projects or programs.  Worse economic times are ahead.  Wiping out or reducing our rainy day fund for ongoing operational purposes would be irresponsible.  Continuing to follow our strong, conservative fiscal practices will serve La Crosse County residents for years to come.

 

 

9. Do you support or oppose the state of Wisconsin's use of a "property tax cap" which limits La Crosse County's ability to raise property taxes by 2 percent, or the percentage of new construction growth, in 2009?

Strongly Support

Support

No opinion

Oppose

Strongly Oppose  XXXXX

 

Reason:  La Crosse County has passed our annual budget on time and below the Madison imposed levy caps each year I have been on the County Board and for many years prior to that.  The State of Wisconsin has no such claim to fame.

La Crosse County has a stellar fiscal track record and an Aa2 bond rating to prove it.  Madison, on the other hand, has a terrible track record of irresponsible borrowing, smoke and mirrors balance sheets, reckless deficits and embarrassingly LATE budgets.  When, and if, they can’t get their own financial house in order, we might start listening to what Madison has to say about La Crosse County’s finances.

 

10. Do you support or oppose the county's plans for a $29.5 million jail expansion?

Strongly Support

Support  XXXXX

No opinion

Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Reason:   This was the toughest vote I have taken since I have been on the County Board.  I would rather not have to spend this much money to build the right Law Enforcement Center, but, we must.   Direct supervision of inmates, getting female inmates out of the current condemned facility, expanded programming space and improved visitation facilities, will make it a much better jail.  Most importantly, it will be a jail and Law Enforcement Center that meets the needs of La Crosse County for decades to come.