We the Town People

07/17/2026

TOWN OF EAST TROY: PAA ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEW AND ELHERS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
It is important to remember that fiscal responsibility was one of the key recommendations identified in the Town of East Troy Organizational Review conducted by Public Administration Associates, LLC (PAA) in the fall of 2025, presented to the Town Board at a Special Meeting on September 24, 2025, which was open to the public (see recommendation #6 starting on page 9).

The Town Board's unanimous decision on March 9, 2026 to engage Ehlers to prepare a 5-year Financial Management Plan for $6,500 was made directly in response to the recommendations contained in the PAA report. The intent was to implement an independent, professional review of the Town's financial management practices and provide a long-term roadmap for budgeting and fiscal sustainability.

The PAA Organizational Review also prompted Chairman Jones to conduct a detailed analysis of the Town's historical financial trends during the 2026 Budget Workshops. That review identified an estimated $500,000 gap between projected expenditures and revenues in the initial 2026 budget. As a result, the Town identified cost-saving opportunities in the final 2026 budget and has been closely monitoring expenditures throughout the year.

Both organizations are highly respected in their respective fields:
• Public Administration Associates (PAA) is a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in local government organizational reviews, management studies, executive recruitment, and operational assessments.
• Ehlers is a nationally recognized municipal financial advisory firm that specializes in financial management, budgeting, capital improvement planning, debt management, and long-range financial planning for local governments.

Taken together, the PAA Organizational Review and the approved Ehlers Financial Management Plan represent a coordinated effort to strengthen the Town's financial planning, improve fiscal accountability, and establish a sustainable financial framework for future Town Boards.

Be informed with accurate, factual information—not misinformation or distorted narratives from those seeking to twist the truth or make false accusations. Our community deserves decisions based on facts, transparency, and what is truly in the Town’s best interest, not on rumors or misleading claims.

How to find the PAA Organizational Review.
1) Town of East Troy Website: https://townofeasttroywi.gov/
2) Government (Top Ribbon on Home Page)
3) Under Government, choose category – News & Notices
4) Scroll back >> to page10 or so (scroll at bottom of screen). Page may vary depending on which type of device you are using.
5) Find and Click – Organizational Assessment Findings, follow the provided link to the PAA report.
6) For ease, here’s the direct link to the PAA report on the website, https://storage.googleapis.com/juniper-media-library/269/2025/10/East%20Troy%20Org%20Study%20Final.pdf

Posted on 2026-07-14 Did You Know? There is an ETAESD Meeting scheduled for this Thursday 7/16/2026To view the agenda and packet please... Read More

07/13/2026

We received this Town of East Troy citizen letter for the July 13, 2026 Board meeting regarding a proposed motion to rescind the Town Board’s unanimous approval of the TOET’s investment in the Ehlers financial-management enhancement project on March 9, 2026., please read ...

07/13/2026

The Wisconsin Conservative Digest endorses Rick Stacey!

https://wisconsinconservativedigest.substack.com/p/tuesday-from-the-trail-5e8

07/09/2026

07/06/2026

July 9th @ East Troy Brewery, 4-7 pm
We proudly support Rick Stacey in his campaign for Wisconsin Assembly District 33, which includes the Town of East Troy and many neighboring communities. We encourage voters throughout Assembly District 33 to learn more about Rick Stacey.

06/29/2026

Putting Assembly District 33 on the map! 🌾🗺️ 🇺🇸
​From the lakes to the fields, this is the district I’m proud to call home and the one I’m stepping up to defend.
​Check the list to see if you're in the district 👀

Enter your address here: maps.legis.wisconsin.gov

💥 Burlington • Lake Geneva • East Troy • Rochester •☑️ Union Grove • Yorkville • Dover • Lyons • Beaumont • Bohner’s Lake • Browns Lake • Honey Creek • Honey Lake • Ives Grove • Kansasville • Springfield • Spring Prairie & Troy Center 💥
​Drop a comment below and let me know which community you're representing today! 👇Let us know if you need signs. 👈🇺🇸 Burlington Republican Party of Walworth County Racine County Republican Party Tom Tiffany East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Racine County Fair Village of East Troy Police Department

04/17/2026

At the April 16, 2026 Town Board Meeting, unsubstantiated claims were made suggesting the Town approved “uncapped” costs for the Ehlers 5-Year Financial Management Plan. Such assertions are inaccurate and can have significant consequences by creating confusion or concern among residents.

Here are the facts:
Ehlers 5 Year Financial Management Plan Rationale & Justification
• Direct input from Ehlers will help the Board better understand current financial gaps and ask informed questions.
• Last year’s budget process revealed concerns about the Town’s financial position.
• Professional guidance is needed to:
o Analyze spending and budgeting practices
o Address current financial challenges
o Establish long-term processes to prevent future issues
• Ehlers brings relevant regional experience (ETAESD and Village of East Troy) and has offered a discounted rate for these services.
________________________________________
Proposed Plan of Action
• Approve $6,500 for Ehlers to:
o Review 5 years of financial data
o Conduct a financial analysis
o Provide recommendations for the 2026 budget process and workshops
________________________________________
Discussion & Possible Action
• Agenda Item 9C: Discuss and consider approval of the Ehlers proposal for a 5-Year Financial Management Plan
• Funding source: 2026 approved Administrator budget ($20,000)
________________________________________
Motion on March 9, 2026 Town Board Meeting
• Motion by Supervisor Reyes to approve the Ehlers proposal for $6,500
• Seconded by Supervisor Leonard
• Result: Motion carried unanimously

Please note: Much of this could have been avoided if the previous Chairman had fully addressed the structural deficits underlying the budgets that were proposed and the continuing need to borrow year after year to achieve balance, with no clear long-term solution in place. Thank you to Chairman Jones for taking on this difficult issue on behalf of the taxpayers of the Town of East Troy!

04/08/2026

When an election is decided largely on a single issue like banning wake boats, it raises important questions about whether the full scope of community needs is being considered.

Lakes at Stake Wisconsin, Inc, is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that battles against the water sports industry through lobbying and political campaigning, among others things.

04/08/2026

We want to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to vote and to those who supported our campaign. Although we didn’t win both Town of East Troy Supervisor seats, Leonard - incumbent & Tebatoski, we respect the outcome and remain committed to our community and its future.