Outagamie County Board election: Cathy Spears and Mike Thomas to battle for District 18

Sophia Voight, Appleton Post-Crescent
Updated ·5 min read
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APPLETON - Outagamie County Board incumbent Cathy Spears faces a challenge against former board member Mike Thomas in the April 2 nonpartisan election for the District 18.

Spear was elected to the board in 2014 and is the chair of the Legislative, Audit and Human Resources Commitee. Thomas is trying to return to the board after serving from 1992 to 2006 and from 2012 to 2022.

Thomas previously represented District 20 on the county board but lost a board seat to Spears in 2022 after he tried running in District 18.

District 18 covers a northern portion of Appleton between Northland Avenue, Richmond Street and Wisconsin Avenue.

All Outagamie County Board members are up for election to serve a two-year term on the board.

County Board members serve as a legislative authority for the county, making decisions on county ordinances and deciding how county money is used through committees they are appointed to.

The Post-Crescent asked each candidate to fill out a questionnaire telling us why they are running. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name and answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Here are important dates for voters to remember for the upcoming election:

  • March 28: Deadline to request an absentee ballot

  • March 29: Deadline to register to vote in-person at your local clerk's office for early voting

  • April 2: Spring election and presidential primary

Cathy Spears (i)

Cathy Spears
Cathy Spears

  • Age: 65

  • Occupation: Retired medical technologist

  • Highest level of education attained: Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology and a Bachelor's Microbiology and Public Health fron the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

  • Relevant experience: Outagamie County supervisor 2014-present, Legislative Audit and Human Resources Commitee chair, County Redistricting Commitee chair, Health and Human Services Commitee and Board; Appleton Alderperson Distict 12 from 2004 to 2020, current chair of Board of Health 2004 to present; Appleton Housing Authority since 2023

Mike Thomas

Mike Thomas
Mike Thomas

  • Age: 77

  • Occupation: Retired business executive

  • Highest level of education attained: Bachelor's in U.S. Air Force Academy, master of business administration from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

  • Relevant experience: I have served 24 years on the Outagamie County Board on various committees including Public Safety, Health and Human Resources, Property and Airport and Finance including chairperson of the Finance Committee. As president of Wisconsin Veterans Village worked with the county to support the village with a financial contribution. Also worked with the Fox Valley Veterans Council that assists veterans with rent, heat and emergency bills. As president of Appleton Concerned Taxpayers, a citizens group for government fiscal responsibility, worked with Mayor Woodford and the League of Women Voters to lobby state legislators to increase state shared revenue which resulted in a lower tax rate for county citizens groups.

Why are you running for the Outagamie County Board?

Spears: I chair the Legislative Audit, Human Resources Committee and we identified the high turnover rate of our employees as a problem. The board funded a wage study that found 60% of employees had wages below market level.  The board approved the new wage levels while still lowering the tax rate. In 2024, we will evaluate the employee benefit package. My committee will make recommendations to the board for approval. Reelection will allow me the opportunity to finish the job we started.

Thomas: I am running again to continue to represent you, the taxpayer, on the County Board. Combining my business experience and knowledge that I have gained in 24 years on the board, I will continue to address the difficult budget issues and will strive to make county government more efficient. Appleton Concerned Taxpayers will continue to be the taxpayer’s budget watchdog and I can contribute to that mission by being a member of the county board. Would like to see the board concentrate more on fiscal issues than social issues.

What makes you the better candidate in this race?

Spears: County supervisor is a non-partisan elected position. As an independent, I seek to work with everyone to find solutions to the problems that our county faces. Twenty years ago when no one was running for alderperson, I stepped up an ran as a write-in. Flooding in the west area of our district was a problem. I stayed on the city council until the last pond was built behind the Hillock subdivision that addressed the problem. My method is to study, listen, ask the hard questions and work together to find solutions to problems.

Thomas: Your supervisor needs to have experience, knowledge and vision. As I stated previously, I have 24 years experience on various board committees especially the Finance Committee, which oversees the annual budget process. My interest is fiscal responsibility and used my extensive experience in business to bring that focus to the county budget process. I feel I have the knowledge and willingness to address the difficult budget issues that need to be addressed to represent you the taxpayer.

What are county residents telling you their top issues and how would you address them?

Spears: Residents are concerned with keeping all the services that the county currently performs fully functioning. Brewster village and the aging and disability resource centers are important to our senior population. The airport is an economic driver for the business community. Parks, recycling and good roads are important. This will only happen if we attract and retain our employees.  We need employees to utilize technology to enhance productivity to better serve the public. The current county board has worked together to lower the current tax rate while providing the excellent services that residents have come to expect.

Thomas: The recent tax increases due to reassessment have taxpayers concerned especially those on a fixed income. Public safety has become a big issue with the recent shootings in Appleton. In my neighborhood alone there have been several break-ins to parked cars. I will continue to represent the taxpayer during the budget process and if elected would seek to get back on the Finance Committee. With my experience of being on the Public Safety Committee, I would be addressing the safety issue. Years ago we had a gang problem that was addressed quickly. We need to have that same attention to this growing problem.

Sophia Voight covers local government and politics in the Fox Valley for The Post-Crescent. She can be reached with feedback and story tips at svoight@postcrescent.com.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Spears, Thomas to battle for Outagamie County Board District 18 seat