GB consumer protection office to close

GREEN BAY - The Green Bay office of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is one of three slated to close in a money-saving measure.

Agency officials said the move was necessary in order to streamline services and save money.

Officials said regional consumer protection offices in Green Bay, Eau Claire and Wauwatosa, which handle consumer issues ranging from landlord-tenant disagreements to auto repair complaints, will close by early December, affecting 20 staff, most of whom will be offered positions in the Madison consumer protection office. Overall, the Bureau has to reduce its staff by 5.8 full time equivalent positions, a 15 percent decrease of general consumer protection staff. It must also reduce general purpose revenue spending by approximately $1 million during the current biennium.

Consumer protection functions like the Consumer Hotline and the No Call List will remain staffed and available to assist consumers.