Fromer Supervisor sought performance reviews of top county officials
A lawsuit filed by former Rock County Board Supervisor and government accountability advocate Mike Zoril resulted in Rock County producing requested records and paying Zoril’s attorney fees, court costs, and statutory damages.
In April, Zoril submitted an open records request for the five most recent performance evaluations of the County Administrator, Corporation Counsel, and Human Services Director — three of the highest-ranking officials in county government. Rock County denied the request, citing a statutory exemption that applies only to performance evaluations of employees. However, Wisconsin law defines these officials as public officers, not employees — a critical distinction in open records law.
“Government officers are not covered by that exemption,” explained Tom Kamenick, President and Founder of the Wisconsin Transparency Project, which represents Zoril. “The public is entitled to see how high-level decision-makers are being evaluated — especially those entrusted with oversight, legal authority, and multi-million-dollar departments.”
Zoril sued in June, and rather than defend its denial, the County produced the requested performance reviews and paid for Zoril’s attorney fees, court costs, and statutory damages of $100.
“The public deserves to know how these people are being evaluated — or if they’re being reviewed at all,” said Zoril. “Secrecy protects insiders and shuts the public out. If we want honest government, we have to demand transparency from the top down.”
Zoril’s request comes amid heightened public attention to accountability in Rock County leadership, including recent debates over remote work arrangements and board oversight.
