About Katherine.
Town of Delavan Supervisor. Wife. Mother. Educator. Advocate.
I am Dr. Katherine Gaulke. I have been your Town of Delavan Supervisor since April 2019. My priority is to be the resident voice on the Board; to ensure an honest, open, and transparent government that protects and respects the taxpayer. It is important to have a leader that will stand up for you and ask questions on your behalf. I encourage you to listen to the Feb. 25th Board Meeting to hear me fighting for you and your taxpayer dollars. Key focus areas the next two years: balanced budget that doesn't raise taxes or take out more debt, improve lake health, create Community Park bike/walking path, and foster non-tax revenue generating sources.
I have accomplished much as a Town Supervisor the last 2 years; below are just a few (let me know if you need/want more):
I have accomplished much as a Town Supervisor the last 2 years; below are just a few (let me know if you need/want more):
- Proposed a balanced budget that no longer relies on debt to finance operations while adding an additional police officer.
- Wrote a business plan for the Waters Edge (remodel of the Community Park Building) to improve the facility for residents and create a revenue stream for the Town that is not property taxes. Negotiated with nonprofit Delavan Friends of the Park an innovative partnership for use of the room tax dollars to help fund the remodel ($600,000).
- Corrected the Town's handling of Act 55 to be in compliance with the law, preventing the Town from being sued and having to pay fines.
- Secured funding for the dredging of the Mound Road Catch Basins ("Ponds"), and proposed a collaborative partnership with the DLSD and neighboring municipalities in the watershed to do ongoing maintenance dredging of the basins - which will save the taxpayers money in the long run and improve the health of Delavan Lake. The DLSD has $250,000 in the 2021 budget for this project and the City of Delavan $30,000.
- Collaborated with local farmers/producers to promote conservation practices on land within the watershed - - led to formation of the Walworth County Soil & Watershed Protection Producer Group and the County developing a position for a watershed coordinator and led to more farmers/land owners participating.
- Wrote the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant application for the Community Park creation of a bike/walk path, non-motorized beach expansion, addition of snowmobile trail with access to lake/gas station, addition of a foot washing station for beach, DNR Healthy Lakes site education site, handicap parking and washrooms by volleyball court, along with enhanced preservation and recognition of the Native American Burial Mounds. Received numerous letters of community support and donations to help fund this matching grant. Will hear about grant award the end of the year.
- Spearheaded the UW Whitewater and SEWRPC studies of Delavan Lake; including grant award of $25,000 and collaboration funds from DLSD $17,000 and City of Delavan $3,000.
- Proposed and received approval from Town Board to modernize and update Delavan Lake's goals - 3 meter Secchi depth along with updated phosphorus and chlorophyll, contracted with USGS to develop and move Delavan Lake off the impaired lake list.
Professions / Community Service
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Education
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More about Katherine.
Wife 1997
9/29/97 Jason & Katherine are married at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, FL.
Katherine met her future husband, Jason, at Wausau East High School (Wausau, Wisconsin) while participating in the International Baccalaureate Program (IB). Immediately following graduation, Jason joined the U. S. Navy. Katherine and Jason were married in Orlando, FL, where he was stationed. Subsequently, the Navy sent them to Charleston, SC, and Kings Bay, GA. However, being loyal Wisconsinites at heart, the Gaulkes returned to Wisconsin to raise their children and to be close to family and friends. Katherine and Jason will be married 24 years this September.
Mother 2004
Cassie was born at Meriter Hospital in Madison, the same hospital at which Katherine was born.
Katherine and Jason welcomed their first born, Timothy James (TJ), on April 6, 2004. When TJ was a couple of months old, Katherine, ever passionate about the issues she considers important in life, quit her job to stay home with him. Their second child, Cassandra (Cassie), was born ten days after the Gaulkes moved to the Town of Delavan in 2005. TJ is now 16 and in the 11th grade. He spends his school year in Canada, where he dances with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet while attending the University of Winnipeg Collegiate High School. Cassie, 15 years old, is in the 10th grade at Elkhorn Area High School.
Town of Delavan Resident 2005
 The Gaulkes closed on their Delavan home in the fall of 2005, excited to settle into an amazing community.
In 2005, Katherine and Jason chose the Town of Delavan to raise their family. Since Day One, Katherine has been actively involved in our community as Coordinator for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), President of the Family Resource Coalition of Walworth County (FRC), and a Citizen Representative to the Walworth County University of Wisconsin Extension Community Partner Advisory Group (CPAG). Prior to being elected Town of Delavan Supervisor, Katherine served as a Citizen Representative on the Town of Delavan Public Works Committee, for over six years. She is also a volunteer and clinic ambassador at Open Arms Free Clinic, Walworth County's only free and charitable clinic.
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Katherine's family - including puppies Dixie & Rosie
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Town of Delavan Supervisor 2019+
Katherine's installation as the President of Delavan-Darien Rotary Club
In 2019, Katherine was elected as Delavan Town Supervisor, where she chairs the Finance Committee, the Park and Tourism Committee, and the Emergency Government Committee and co-chairs the Lake Committee. After witnessing years of neglect, Katherine helped secure funding for much needed repairs for North Shore Drive, as well as spearheading the effort to dredge Mound Road Catch Basins. In addition to those duties, Katherine also serves on the State Treasurer's Homeowners Task Force.
Katherine continues to work to protect Delavan Lake by serving on the Board of the Delavan Lake Improvement Association (DLIA), mobilizing our community to help our underrepresented neighbors by serving on the Board of the Walworth County United Way, and participating in the Walworth County Community Alliance (WCCA). Katherine also served on the committee to populate 2-1-1 with Walworth County information.
In 2019, in addition to all her work in the public service arena, Katherine was elected President of the Delavan-Darien Rotary Club, and, as she has demonstrated in every aspect of her public life, she will continue to embody the Rotary Club motto of "Service above Self" in every vote she takes as your Town Supervisor.
Katherine continues to work to protect Delavan Lake by serving on the Board of the Delavan Lake Improvement Association (DLIA), mobilizing our community to help our underrepresented neighbors by serving on the Board of the Walworth County United Way, and participating in the Walworth County Community Alliance (WCCA). Katherine also served on the committee to populate 2-1-1 with Walworth County information.
In 2019, in addition to all her work in the public service arena, Katherine was elected President of the Delavan-Darien Rotary Club, and, as she has demonstrated in every aspect of her public life, she will continue to embody the Rotary Club motto of "Service above Self" in every vote she takes as your Town Supervisor.