LGI

WTA and Other Local Government Associations Create the Local Government Institute of Wisconsin

April 2008

The WTA is partnering with other local government associations to create a non-profit institute that will research policy issues of shared concern to Wisconsin’s towns, villages, cities and counties. TheLocal Government Institute of Wisconsin (LGI) was formed in October 2007 by WTA, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Alliance of Cities to conduct research, foster collaboration and educate the public and policymakers on methods for improving local government’s ability to serve the people. The LGI will not be a lobbying organization as it hopes to acquire 501(c)(3) status from the IRS, which prevents lobbying activities.

The Institute has a board currently comprised of six voting members and four non-voting members. Past WTA President (and current WTA board member) Terry McMahon will serve as our voice on the institute’s board (WTA Executive Director Rick Stadelman will sit as a non-voting member, along with the EDs from the other three associations). Openings remain for three to five additional public members.

Once the complete board is in place, priorities will be set and a research agenda established. The LGI expects to contract with public policy research organizations to carry out research on issues targeted by the board. It will also seek foundation grants to help cover the associated costs. “We are being very careful in setting up the board so that it is balanced by geography, politics, background and public/private sector,” according to Board Secretary Jim Dwyer, Chair of the Waukesha County Board. “This is a non-partisan organization and we want to ensure the research we conduct is not viewed as politically biased to the greatest extent possible.”

WTA and the other local government associations have been meeting for nearly a year to develop the concept. Gary Becker of Vierbecher & Associates has been retained to coordinate the institute’s activities. Becker has over 20 years of local government consulting experience.

Rick notes that “the WTA Board of Directors believes that this cooperative effort of all local government associations to promote the importance of local government in Wisconsin will benefit all towns and villages.” He adds that the board has identified possible topics that the group may want to study.