63rd Annual WTA Convention Announced 

(7/7/10)  Click here to see the highlights and tentative schedule of WTA's 63rd Annual Convention to be held in October from Sunday the 3rd through Wednesday the 6th in La Crosse.  Also click here for a registration form and click here for a list of hotels in La Crosse.

(8/31/10)  The Transportation Information Center is hosting seven (7) workshops around the state from September 13^th to the 27^th on winter road maintenance.  The specific topics include:  winter driving skills for plow operators; liabilities, polices and plans; how salt and sand work and how to improve their effectiveness; and examples of the newest equipment and procedures.  Click here for the flyer listing dates, locations and the registration form. 

(9/2/10)  This September and October the Wisconsin Department of Justice is hosting a series of seminars on Wisconsin public records and open meetings laws. Although the seminars are free to attend, advance registration is required.  There will be live seminars in Madison (Sept. 20), Milwaukee (Sept. 27) and Wausau (Oct. 5).  There will also be four (4) video conference programs in Green Bay, Racine, Rice Lake and La Crosse on Oct. 12.  Click here for the full flyer with dates and locations.  Online registration has already begun; click here for the online registration form.

(8/25/10)  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for Round 12 of the Brownfields Site Assessment Grants.  These grants are available through the Remediation and Redevelopment  Program to help municipalities jump start investigation activities at  brownfields, which are abandoned, idle or underused industrial or  commercial properties where redevelopment is hindered by real or  perceived contamination. Applications are due November 8, 2010.

To apply for Round 12 grants or to learn more about the program, visit:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/rr/financial/sag/index.htm.

Eric Ballas
Brownfields Marketing Specialist
Ph: 608-267-0543

(8/4/10)  The 2010 Fall Budget and Finance Workshops hosted by UW-Extension Local Government Center will be in nine locations around the state from September 1^st  through the 28^th.  These workshops cover a basic curriculum on budgeting, payroll and financial administration. Another curriculum covers more specific topics such as ordinance development and enforcement; licensing and permits; state aid programs; the levy limit and the Department of Revenue’s worksheet; how to seek state grants; charting and mapping your local governments financial trends; and, making your community more sustainable.  Click here for the brochure with registration form.

(8/3/10)  Entries are now being accepted for the 2010 Wisconsin Good Government Awards (GGA). The Good Government Awards program was established in 2003 to recognize and promote effective government practices that result in reduced costs and improved services.

Any Wisconsin county or city/village/town government may enter in one of the following categories:

• County-led effort to reduce costs and improve services
• City/Village-led effort to reduce costs and improve services
• Under 10,000 population
• Over 10,000 population
• Town-led effort to reduce costs and improve services

One winning entry in each category will receive the award which includes a $1,000 Community Enhancement Grant.

Entries are due by 5:00 p.m. on September 3, 2010.

Visit the GGA website for additional information and entry materials including an online application:  http://www.wisgoodgov.com/

The GGA program is presented by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Towns Association and Foth Companies.