County Board extends Walworth County administrator contract despite one member’s objections

The Walworth County Board of Supervisors on July 8, 2025, approved a resolution extending the employment contract of County Administrator Mark W. Laverge.

The resolution was recommended by the Executive Committee (5–0) and approved by the full board after brief discussion. Supervisor Joanne Laffenburg said she respects the administrator’s experience and work but raised concerns about how emergency powers and constitutional responsibilities have been handled and said she was not convinced those issues could not reoccur; she therefore could not support the extension. “I think that Mark Liberta [sic] does a wonderful job with what he does. He's experienced. He's diligent. He's hardworking,” Laffenburg said, then explained her unresolved concerns about emergency procedures and constitutional adherence and said she could not get behind the extension.

The motion to approve the contract extension was moved and seconded; the measure carried by majority vote with one no recorded. The transcript records the outcome as “Motion carries with Waffenberg voting no.” The executive committee minutes listed the recommendation to extend the contract by a 5–0 vote.

No changes to salary or specific contract terms were discussed in the full board meeting minutes beyond the adoption of the resolution extending the contract. The board proceeded to other agenda items after the vote.