Sheboygan County Administrator Adam Payne will be stepping down in March next year to take a position with the Wisconsin Counties Association.
Payne, who called the move a “bittersweet decision”, has served as County Administrator for 24 years in a career that spanned seven County Board Chairs and oversaw such changes as the addition of the 1/2 of 1 percent County Sales Tax and Revenue Sharing Program, the founding of the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation, the cleanup of the Sheboygan river and harbor, and the Highway 23 expansion.
Payne told WHBL News that he’d been considering the move for some years, saying: “Honestly, it was just before COVID that I started having these thoughts of ‘maybe it’s time for a change.’ And I shared that with some key Board members, my County Board Chair and some others, and then COVID hit. And I thought there was no way I’m going to leave during a pandemic, and wanted to help see that through. And, of course, our public health team and everyone involved did a tremendous job. And it was very challenging – I think it gave us all a few more grey hairs. But, fortunately, that’s largely behind us and it’s just time, so I wanted to give plenty of notice. Of course, I’m not moving on until March, but we’ve got a strong team, and I really believe in my heart that I am leaving Sheboygan County just a little better than I found it.”
Payne was clearly emotional as he credited the many County employees and Board members with making the accomplishments during his term possible. And while he will be moving to a new job, he plans on staying put in Sheboygan County for now, saying that his family loves the community and where they live in the Town of Plymouth.
Comments