WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A recent resolution brought forward by the Marathon County’s Diversity Affairs Commission was not approved by the full board, with many calling the move divisive.
The resolution declared that Marathon County is “a community for all,” but not everyone felt that way at the county board level. Some said the resolution lacked focus, others were concerned about legal ramifications. Still others said they received dozens of calls and emails from constituents telling them to vote the measure down.
The measure simply declared the County as a place where all are welcome to make a life for themselves, according to County Administrator Lance Leonhard who says the challenge now is how do they communicate the intent of the resolution.
“[We want to] communicate across the board that Marathon County, across the board, is committed to [being] an open and inclusive place for everyone to really come to live, work, and thrive,” said Leonhard.
The County Board sent the measure back to the Diversity Affairs Commission for re-tooling, but Leonhard said from the County’s perspective they are already looking at ways to make sure all employees at the courthouse and other offices are being put in a position to succeed.
“From a workforce perspective, which is what I oversee, our organization has continued to do a lot of work in that area. We just wrapped up our 4th annual Martin Luther King Jr Day Honor which we use to perform in-service training for our staff,” he said.
That includes studying the teaching of Dr. King and looking at ways to better serve the people of Marathon County. But Leonhard says they are also planning to extend that to the hiring process by casting a wider net for potential employees. “We want to re-evaluate our recruiting practices, our development practices to make sure we have that highly-talented workforce while also working to expand our diversity.”
He adds that’s not a knock on those from the area that are now employed at the County. “We have a very talented local workforce and we have been served well in recruiting in that fashion. But, are there opportunities for us to look at that a little differently?
“Perhaps, recruiting outside of the Central Wisconsin area. Maybe that will have a positive impact and expand the diversity of our workforce,” he added.
Other topics WSAU’s Liz Holbrook discussed with Leonhard include:
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