May 9, 2025. Vol. 1, Issue 10 (1557 words – a seven-minute read)
ROCK COUNTY CIVICS ACADEMY
Janesville City Council:
And the Show Must Go On, A Follow-up and Commentary. It Doesn’t Have to be this Way!
Enhancing Transparency and Strengthening Volunteer Appointment Practices
Public events often require thoughtful reflection to fully understand their broader impact. While prompt matters must be addressed, more context is sometimes necessary to ensure a complete and correct understanding. Even when an issue arises, further consideration may be called for.
At Monday evening’s City Council meeting, the City Manager’s Office will present a resolution recognizing the dedicated service of outgoing members of Janesville’s citizen boards, commissions, and committees. These individuals serve a vital role by advising the City Council on important topics and offering informed policy recommendations. Their volunteer work supports a more thorough and effective decision-making process.
Commentary:
The participation of these volunteers in local government deserves acknowledgment and appreciation. Recently, however, concerns have been raised about the process for appointing volunteers—specifically, the role of the Advisory Committee on Appointments (ACA) and the final authority of the City Manager and City Council President in confirming selections. While the City Manager has the legal authority to make appointments, questions have arisen concerning the consistent use of that discretion, particularly when ACA recommendations are changed.
The ACA has long conducted a fair and skill-focused process for selecting volunteers, emphasizing community needs and objective evaluations. Although the City Manager has typically adopted the ACA’s suggestions, recent departures from their recommendations have prompted calls for greater transparency and predictability in the process.
To foster public trust and promote strong governance, the City Council is encouraged to formally recognize both its volunteer contributors and the essential work of the ACA. Reaffirming that support for a merit-based selection process through an updated resolution would reinforce the City’s commitment to continuous improvement and fair practice.
A review of the best national practiceshighlights several key standards for appointing volunteers to public boards:
- Open and inclusive recruitment efforts
- Standardized applications and evaluation criteria
- Impartial screening by independent committees
- Public interviews, when appropriate
- Clear documentation of final decisions
Effective onboarding should include ethics training, open meetings guidance, and policies addressing potential conflicts of interest to ensure accountability and preparedness.
Hypothetically Speaking:
The City Council could strengthen its leadership by directing the ACA to study these best practices and return with actionable recommendations. Such a move would support the professionalization of the process without limiting the City Manager’s authority. However, any deviation from ACA recommendations should be supported by a clear, written explanation.
Janesville has long valued transparency and public involvement. Applying these principles consistently in the volunteer appointment process will show municipal integrity and protect against bias or favoritism. By doing so, the City will set a strong example of open and principled local governance.
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Same City Issue, a Different Day, and Location
Janesville Plan Commission:
Clarity and Public Trust Are Essential in Housing Decisions
A recent action by the Janesville Plan Commission underscores growing concerns about transparency and public engagement. At last Monday’s meeting, the Commission Chair removed an agenda item that would have declared 214 E. Wall Street as surplus property, making it available to Bear Development for a proposed rent-controlled housing project. In an action that does not inspire confidence, the Chairadmitted she did not know why the item was removed.
Commentary:
This surprise announcement sparked concern among downtown residents, leading to calls for more public discussion. City sources suggest the urgency stems from Bear Development’s need to apply for state tax credits before a mid-May deadline.
This is Bear’s second proposal to stall. An earlier project at 101 Rockport Road was withdrawn, likely due to floodplain, contamination, and parkland designation concerns—despite claims of cost-related delays. The Wall Street plan has raised new questions about its economic impact, affordable housing balance, and parking availability.
More troubling is the absence of a clear path forward. No next steps have been taken by the Commission Chair other than if it reemerges as a resolution to declare the property surplus, it must start through the Plan Commissionand cannot under current rules go directly to the City Council. If tax credits are essential to financing, is there another timeline? Will stakeholder concerns be addressed?
Hypothetically Speaking:
Public Trust is essential to good governance. Effective communications and citizen engagement are critical. Trust is crucial in the equation for effective collaboration between the community and its elected and appointed municipal leaders. To restore public trust and guide future growth, we propose two immediate actions:
- Convene a Housing Policy Summit to create actionable plans for multifamily and single-family housing developments, and
- Develop a Comprehensive Public Engagement and Communications Plan to inform and involve residents in major city projects as well as routine activities.
For the second recommendation, we suggest the Council pass a resolution forming a citizen-led committee to study engagement and communications best practices and return with clear proposals no later than in the next ninety days. Other cities are already taking similar steps. The City Manager now supervises JATV Media Services and a growing communications team. These resources should be used to promote transparency and community involvement.
Major projects depend on public trust. If not now, when? These efforts are overdue and vital to Janesville’s future.
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Civic Engagement in Beloit, Janesville, Milton School District and Beyond
The Beloit School District is facing a $6.2 million budget shortfall—years in the making. Superintendent Dr. Willie Garrison has proposed cost-saving measures, including the elimination of 33 positions (24 teachers and staff, 9 administrators) and a pay freeze, potentially saving $5.3 million. More proposals are expected soon.
The School Board has approved a plan to prepare for a ballot measure next April to exceed the state’s levy limits. More details will follow as they become available.
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Spotlight on the Milton School Board: Leadership Decisions Ahead
We will be paying close attention to the Milton School Board meeting on Monday evening. One of the agenda items includes the election of officers for the Board’s new term. This meeting is the final election of officers among area public bodies following the April elections.
Commentary:
Attention is being directed towards whether the current officers will be reelected or if there will be a contested election. It has become increasingly common for local elected boards to experience contested elections for leadership roles, reflecting philosophical differences becoming more pronounced among members as they deal with difficult policy decisions. For instance, the recent policy and buying decisions concerning technology use led to extensive debate and resulted in a contentious split vote by the Milton School Board.
The philosophical divide among elected area Boards has resulted in split votes on significant public policy decisions across most boards in the region. As school finance challenges intensify, these split votes are becoming more frequent.
Hypothetically Speaking:
There is a growing concern about the contentious nature of decision-making within local governing boards. It serves as a reminder to all involved: while decision-making can be difficult, it is crucial to respect both the institution one serves and fellow board members. Disagreements and differences of opinion are expected; however, it is vital to avoid becoming disagreeable in the process.
Good Governance in Action: Rock County Civics Academy:
Last weekend, the Rock County Civics Academy presented on governance and Robert’s Rules of Order at the Beloit School Board retreat. This reflects our mission to promote informed civic participation and strengthening deliberative democracy. Inspired by scholars like James Fishkin and Larry Diamond, our approach emphasizes civil, fact-based conversation over partisan gridlock.
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While we rarely spotlight our own work, these educational sessions are key to building good governance and engaged communities. The School Board’s willingness to take part signals a commitment to thoughtful, solutions-based leadership.
New Programs: Informing and Engaging Citizens:
We are excited to announce two new weekly video series:
- Hypothetically Speaking: News You Can Use
- Hypothetically Speaking: Newsmakers
Each is a 15-minute program airing Fridays on public access Channel 994 and YouTube TV. Beginning on Monday, we will also appear live every week on WCLO Radio from 9:40 to 10:00 a.m. with host Tim Bremel to discuss current events and civic issues.
Additionally, we will soon partner with a local school district to launch a practicum program for high school seniors focused on public policy and civic engagement.
These initiatives are driven by community feedback. Your ideas help shape our work, and we are still committed to listening and responding.
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Local Updates: Milton and Janesville:
The City of Milton has received five applications to fill a City Council vacancy created by Eric Stockman’s election as mayor. Public interviews will be held, with strong encouragement for community involvement, an excellent example of transparent governance.
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Meanwhile, the City of Janesville is planning a Council retreat. While details have yet to be released, we hope citizen engagement will be part of the agenda. Now is the time for residents to reach out to Council members and request a seat at the table.
A Call to Leadership
Our communities’ future depends on actions, not words. Waiting for the “perfect time” may mean missing chances to improve our future. We all share the responsibility to create high-quality communities, and the time to act is now. Volunteer for a committee or run for office. Hillel the Elder’s words, “If not me, who? If not now, when?” are relevant today. Step up and serve now!
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Hypothetically speaking… what if we could bring greater transparency and engagement to local government?
Stay tuned—we will continue shining a light on the issues that matter.
Your feedback is important; it helps us keep the light on!!! Reach out with your thoughts and ideas.
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