DISTRICT 13

NAME: Patrick A Scheller

ADDRESS: 2612 7^th St S La Crosse, WI 54601

AGE: 51

BIRTHDATE: 03/02/1956

NUMBER OF YEARS LIVED IN LA CROSSE COUNTY: 32

FAMILY:    Wife: Kirsten

                        Sons: Chris/Samuel

                        Daughter: Sophie

EDUCATION: UW-La Crosse B.S.

OCCUPATION (if retired, former occupation): Bank Manager, Fortress Bank

ELECTED OFFICES HELD (include years served): None

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS: DMI, Chamber, Coulee Region Bankers, Special Olympics, Junior Achievement

La Crosse County Board Candidate Questionnaire

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

I want to get involved in shaping the future of La Crosse County.

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?

Economic Development / Job Creation

Budgeting

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?

No opinion

Reason: Really need more information into the pros and cons of this decision

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?

Satisfied

Reason: Board members are part time volunteers; a fulltime experience administrator is a good idea.

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

Unsatisfied

Reason: Contracts should be annually renewed based on performance

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

No opinion

Reason: Need to study the proposal in more depth.  Not comfortable in restricting persons usage of land.

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

Support

Reason: But sometimes the public is not properly informed of the issues.

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

No opinion

Reason: I believe partnering with city and state officials can be useful. Collaboration is always a good thing.

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?

Support

Reason: There are less costly alternatives.

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

Oppose

Reason: Every entity from a family business or government should maintain reserves for unforeseen circumstances.

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?

Oppose

Reason: Do not believe any entity can survive on 2% growth when really inflation is running at 11%.  Need to practice fiscal restraint.

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

Oppose

Reason: As stated earlier, there are less costly options to jailing.