Approaching the new year, big changes were already in place for Sheboygan County Administrator Adam Payne. But before that could happen, even bigger changes were destined to take place for the now Secretary-Designate of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, a position he assumes on January 3rd.
Payne had already announced by early October his decision to leave his position with Sheboygan County to join the team at the Wisconsin Counties Association. But it’s apparent that those plans were changed during a meeting with Governor Evers on December 20th. In an already-scheduled interview with Payne and County Board member Keith Abler that same evening, Payne returned from a last-minute meeting in Madison, joining our session in progress after advising the day before that he might be late. There was no indication then what was in store, but he did say that ‘when the governor calls, you answer.’ And now we know why he was called.
Payne declined immediate comment following his appointment, noting that he would first need to be brought up to speed as a top official in the Evers administration before speaking publicly. But always gracious, he did say that he hopes to catch up with us soon. Perhaps a bit of insight was already in-hand, though, as he spoke of the governor during our interview last week, saying: “I’m appreciative of his leadership. Not only did Governor Evers step up for Highway 23, which is so important to our community, and saw that through, but he is sharing publicly he wants to support local government. And I’m also pleased and appreciative of Senator (Devin) LeMahieu. Devin is really seeing this need, and this ‘cliff’ that’ll be coming after ARPA funds run out in a couple of years as well. And to the senator’s credit, he was on the County Board…his dad hired me 24 years ago when he was on the Executive Committee.”
To that last point, in Wisconsin the DNR is directed and supervised by the Natural Resources Board and is administered by a secretary, which is appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. And while some in the Evers administration have had to hold the title of secretary-designate, as the Senate – led by republican LeMahieu – has refused to confirm some of the democratic governor’s choices, the full title may have a better chance with Adam Payne.
