January 18, 2000

Dear Mr. Morgan,

I would like to learn more about the purpose and accomplishments of the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC). To this end, in the summer of 1999 I met with JCEDC Executive Director Marilyn Haroldson. I asked for copies of the JCEDC by-laws and the minutes of recent meetings.

She refused, saying that the JCEDC was purposefully constructed in 1995 as a private corporation in order to avoid being subject to the requirements of Wisconsin's open meetings and open records laws, and that the JCEDC need not provide any information to the public.

I recently obtained these documents in a round-about fashion. At the December meeting of the Jefferson Development Corporation (JDC), the JCEDC by-laws and articles of incorporation were mentioned in the course of discussion of proposed changes to the JDC by-laws. Because the JDC is subject to Wisconsin's open records laws, I was able to obtain a copy of the JCEDC's articles and
by-laws from JDC Executive Director David Olsen. I have added them to my collection of Jefferson County resources on my web site at www.goJefferson.com .

I would like to obtain a copy of any reports that the JCEDC has made public in 1999 regarding its function and accomplishments in serving Jefferson County's economic development. For example, is there a summary of the annual strategic planning session? I would also like to see a copy of the JCEDC's 1999 financial report.

I would also like to receive a written statement from you or the JCEDC Board explaining the public benefit in preventing citizens from attending JCEDC meetings or viewing its records. This puzzles me. As I understand it, the JCEDC receives the vast majority of its funding from the taxpayers of Jefferson County (from the County Board) and a number of its municipalities.

For example, in 1999, the JCEDC received $71,000 from the County Board. In 1998 the City of Jefferson contributed $4,992 to the JCEDC. Jefferson's contribution wasn't discussed by or approved directly by the Jefferson City Council. Instead, the JCEDC was paid by the JDC, who had received $12,500 that year from the City Council. Why doesn't the Jefferson City Council debate, discuss and approve the direct funding of the JCEDC in public? Why is it funded indirectly?

In the past the JCEDC has influenced the decisions regarding the proposed casino and gas pipelines, and it is responsible for selecting and recruiting businesses to come to Jefferson County. How can the citizens of Jefferson County participate in the JCEDC, learn about its operations, or affect its decisions and goals?

Please supply a copy of this letter to the JCEDC Board.

Sincerely,

John Foust
235 South Main Street
Jefferson, WI 53549
(920) 674-5200

CC: Jefferson County Board of Supervisors, Jefferson City Council