Dane County Board of Supervisors to Have Large Changeover in Supervisors Following April Election

March 20, 2024
County Board Chair Patrick Miles, (608) 886-9167
County Board

At this Thursday’s County Board meeting, County Board Supervisor Dave Ripp will be recognized by the County Board for his 40-years of service to Dane County.  Supervisor Ripp has decided he will not be running in April’s election, ending his decades-long service.  

Supervisor Ripp served the residents of District 27 and District 29, from Martinsville to Deforest and from the Town of Dane to Verona for his entire career, representing approximately 15,000 Dane County residents.

Remarking on his proudest accomplishments, County Board Supervisor Ripp said, “as Chair of the Public Works and Transportation Committee for a number of years, I have been able to be a part of several large county projects, including the effort to capture gas at the Dane County landfill.  The first project was unpopular at first due to the cost, but now the County landfill is generating compressed natural gas that powers vehicles and is also sold.” 

Throughout his time on the Dane County Board of Supervisors, Ripp served on 25 different boards, commissions, and committees.

In addition to Supervisor Ripp’s departure from the County Board, and as part of a continuing effort to highlight outgoing Dane County Board Supervisors who have decided not to run for the Board again, these members were asked what their proudest accomplishments were during their time on the County Board. 
 
Wisconsin State Representative and County Board Supervisor Melissa Ratcliff (District 36), in a district that includes the Towns of Blooming Grove, Cottage Grove and Sun Prairie, Village of Cottage Grove, and the City of Madison, said, “It has been an honor to serve the people of this district on the County Board. Working with my fellow supervisors to move initiatives forward that benefit our residents and local communities was always my focus. One of the best examples was my work on the Dane County Broadband Task Force. Not only was I able to help create the task force, we were able to set Dane County up for success in earning federal dollars for broadband expansion. This type of fruitful collaboration, networking, and cooperation with my colleagues and other entities is proof positive of the importance of working together, finding common ground, and making a positive difference for the people we represent.”  Supervisor Ratcliff has represented District 36 on the County Board from 2018-2024.

Supervisor Andrew Schauer, First Vice Chair, representing District 21, which covers an area that includes the Towns of Burke and Westport, Village of Waunakee, and Cities of Madison and Sun Prairie, said “Following my election to the County Board, defeating a 20-year incumbent, I have served on multiple county committees including the Personnel and Finance Committee, Public Works and Transportation Committee, and Public Protection and Judiciary Committee among others.  I am proud of the work that was accomplished while serving on these committees.  Additionally, I shepherded the largest building project in the county’s history through final approval and needed additional funding.   I also supported and helped pass ten budgets, which protected the least fortunate among us, and the infrastructure to keep Dane County a growing and vibrant place.”  Supervisor Schauer has represented District 21 on the County Board from 2014-2024.

“Dane County is fortunate to have elected officials that dedicate their time and energy to making the county a great place for everyone to live. I thank Supervisors Ratcliff, Schauer, and Ripp for their service. I am especially grateful for Supervisor Ripp’s 40 years of dedicated service, the mentorship he provided to Youth in Governance members, and his common sense approach. I wish him a long and happy retirement,” said County Board Chair Patrick Miles (District 34).

The agenda for the March 21, 2024 County Board meeting can be found here: https://dane.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1141072&GUID=729ED8EA-C541-44A7-957E-4E626F0FF999