Disagreement over use of corporation counsel spills over the Vernon County Board of Supervisors meeting
The Vernon County Board of Supervisors is facing a dispute regarding the presence of corporation counsel at committee meetings. Residents and supervisors are concerned that excluding legal advice from discussions on complex issues, including data centers and countywide zoning, could expose the county to significant legal and financial risks. The board plans to debate the issue further at an upcoming session.
The Vernon County Board of Supervisors is grappling with an escalating internal conflict over its policy regarding the attendance of corporation counsel at key committee meetings, specifically the General Government Committee. This dispute, initially confined to the committee, has now reached the full board. Residents and several supervisors, including Lara Roberts and Ken Carlson of Viroqua, have voiced strong concerns that the decision to rely solely on written memos, rather than in-person legal advice, during complex discussions on matters such as data centers, transmission lines, and countywide zoning, could expose county taxpayers to considerable legal and financial liabilities.
Supervisor Wayde Lawler, a vocal critic of the new approach and a former member of the General Government Committee, formally requested that the full county board address the issue at its next session. He emphasized that written legal opinions, as acknowledged by Corporation Counsel Nikki Swayne's own memo, are an insufficient substitute for live legal guidance, which allows for in-the-moment clarification and prevents costly mistakes. Lawler also questioned the financial justification for the policy, arguing that any perceived cost savings are minimal and outweighed by increased risk and potential future expenses.
Interim Administrative Coordinator Trisha Lepke informed the board that a request for proposals (RFP) for corporation counsel services has been issued, following the current counsel's resignation, with responses due May 29. Supervisor Dave Eggen, who had initially asked the current counsel not to attend a recent General Government meeting in person, highlighted the uncertainty of future legal arrangements as a factor in the current approach. The ongoing debate underscores the high stakes for how Vernon County will structure its legal advice as it navigates critical issues like data center development and zoning in the coming months.