Jefferson County Administrator Ben Wehmeier Taking New Position
Wehmeier will join Watertown Community Health Foundation as President & CEO
Jefferson County Administrator Ben Wehmeier announced he will be taking a position with the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation, where he will serve as President and CEO. Wehmeier started as Jefferson County Administrator July 1, 2013. His last day as county administrator is anticipated to be in mid-December.
“It’s been a great honor to serve the people of Jefferson County for the last 11 years,” Wehmeier said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to serve Jefferson County in this new role, which has many alignments with the Jefferson County strategic plan.”
In collaboration with the county board of supervisors, county department leaders and staff, and with the many public-private partnerships developed over the years, Wehmeier enacted numerous processes that have enhanced communications, budgeting and management of the county.
During his tenure, Wehmeier worked to advance the strategic priorities of the county. There’s been $1.3 billion worth of business investment in the county in the last year alone. Additional examples of county accomplishments under his leadership include:
- Updating the county’s strategic and comprehensive plans
- Developing the Bridges Federated Library System, a consolidated system between Waukesha and Jefferson County that has been recognized by the Public Policy Forum for intergovernmental cooperation
- Founding a 501(c)(3) entity focused on public/private partnerships for Economic Development, now known as ThriveED
- Developing a treatment court system
- Integrating mental health teams with law enforcement
- Developing a Youth Crisis Stabilization Facility
- Positioning the county to address housing shortages, including the development of the Live Local Development Fund with ThriveED and fundraising of nearly $10 million
- Partnering with broadband providers to expand access in the county
- Developing the Food and Beverage Innovation Park that led to Kikkoman choosing to locate its facility in the county
- Executing numerous building and infrastructure projects, including the construction of highway facilities, communication infrastructure, interurban trails, and courthouse/sheriff/jail facilities
- Receiving recognition for financial reporting and budgeting excellence 10 years running
- Developing shared local government positions
“We’ve valued Ben’s leadership, collaboration, and achievements over the years on behalf of the people of Jefferson County,” County Board Chair Steve Nass said. “We wish him well in the future and look forward to continuing to collaborate with him in his new role.”
“We have a plan in place to transition seamlessly into recruiting and onboarding our next county administrator,” Nass added. “We believe having Michael Luckey serve as interim county administrator, while we transition, will ensure the county continues to move forward on its strategic priorities.”
Luckey, in his role as assistant to the county administrator, has made significant contributions to advancing the county’s longer-term strategic initiatives. He has a decade of experience in local and state government, including a number of leadership positions.
The County Board Executive Committee will oversee the recruitment of the new county administrator, and the transition period working with Luckey as well as county department heads.
