PRESS RELEASE
July 22, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:

Jeff Nooyen
County Board Chair
Phone: (920)832-5055 or (920)738-7724

We were surprised and dismayed by the county executive’s announcement of his plans to veto the
eminent domain resolution. To be sure, it was a difficult decision for this board, but one that could have saved
the taxpayers upwards of 3 million dollars.
The county board would not have proceeded down the road of eminent domain had we not been
assured by the executive that he was firmly behind the concept from his office to reduce the project costs for
the sheriff’s facility.
The county executive had the opportunity to voice his concerns at the July 19th county board meeting
and suggest either defeat of the resolution or have it held for further study. Although he was in attendance at
the meeting, he chose not to comment on the matter.
In the aftermath of the board’s passage of the eminent domain resolution, the county executive has
chosen to reverse course, without adequate explanation to the board. In our opinion, he has failed to display
the leadership necessary for someone in his position. It is apparent that political ambitions have taken
precedence over his county administrative obligations.
While we remain steadfast in our efforts to save taxpayer dollars on this project, it was always our intent
to bring this matter to a mutually beneficial and negotiated outcome.
Jeff Nooyen, County Board Chair
Dean Culbertson, Property, Airport Recreation & Economic Development Committee Chair
Jim Duncan, Public Safety Committee Chair
Brad Gehring, Sheriff