By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

According to the Daily Citizen, Whitewater City Manager Cameron Clapper is one of four finalists for the administrator of Dodge County. Per an article that was posted on May 23, the successful candidate will replace Jim Mielke, who is retiring on June 1. “The four finalists have been invited to Juneau for a two-day assessment process that will take place on June 6 and 7,” the article states, adding that, “It is anticipated that a new permanent administrator will be in place by Aug. 1.”

The other finalists are Rebecca Bell, who has served as the Dodge County Human Services and Health Director since 2016; Daryl DeDeker, who is currently an assistant professor of accounting at UW-Stevens Point; and Scott Feldt, who currently serves as the county administrator in Kewaunee County.

Clapper has served as Whitewater’s city manager since 2012. Prior to that he served as interim city manager for four months upon the resignation of city manager Kevin Brunner, with whom he had worked as assistant city manager for two years.

According to wisconsindemographics.com, Dodge County is the 19th largest county of the 72 in the state, with a population of nearly 88,000. Walworth County is listed as 15th largest, with approximately 103,000 residents, and Jefferson County is shown as 20th largest, with approximately 85,000 people. The Dodge County seat is Juneau. (There is a Juneau county, but the city of Juneau is obviously not in that county.)

Coincidentally, Dodge County is being assisted in its search process by Public Administration Associates, LLC, a firm in which former Whitewater City Manager Kevin Brunner is President/Partner.