VIA TELEFACSIMILIE

September 11, 2002

Philip C. Ristow, Esq.
Jefferson County Corporation Counsel
Courthouse, Room 209 320 South Main Street
Jefferson, WI 53549-1799

Re JCEDC Contract

Dear Phil,

After much consideration, the JCEDC has decided that it is unable to agree to the additional amendment to the indemnification provision that the County proposed. The JCEDC is willing, however, to agree to the current draft of the contract with the addition of the worker's compensation provision as you requested in your e-mail yesterday afternoon.

As it has always done, the JCEDC has worked hard in 2002 to better the economic climate in Jefferson County, to the benefit of the County and its citizens. The JCEDC has done so this year in good faith, despite not receiving any funding from the County yet this year. Based on the various comments from Economic Development Committee, however, it does not appear that the County is truly interested in the continued success of the strategic economic development activities provided by the JCEDC. Given that fact, the JCEDC simply cannot agree to undertake a long-term indemnification obligation (an obligation that it has never otherwise had) that is not tied in some way to the County's continued funding of the JCEDC.

With regard to Mr. Foust's renewed open records request to the County for records of the JCEDC, the JCEDC is in the process of preparing a response to your September 4, 2002 letter.

Very truly yours,

Devon R. Baumbach
DRB/drb

cc: Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation