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Input Requested via On-Line WTA Survey  

(08/25/08) How effectively is WTA responding to your current needs? What new challenges do you see ahead? How can WTA help you meet them? WTA has developed an easy online survey designed to efficiently address those questions and get your input on a wide range of issues. It’s part of a strategic planning exercise undertaken by the Board of Directors to address the needs of member towns and villages now and in the future. The survey includes ten multiple-choice questions and three open-ended questions (up to 500 words) that should take about five minutes to complete. Survey results will be presented at the 2008 Annual Convention and reported in an upcoming WTA magazine. Please complete the survey by Monday, September 15, 2008. Your thoughts and ideas are important to our Association's future. Click here to take the survey. Additional information about the survey and the strategic planning process can be found in the September 2008 magazine and “Rick’s Notebook.”

2008 WTA Convention Offers a Variety of Workshops and Activities

(07/22/08) The 61^st Annual Convention of Wisconsin Towns Association will be held from Sunday, October 5, 2008 to Wednesday noon, October 8, 2008 at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel & Convention Center, located at 333 W. College Avenue, Appleton, Wis. As in past years, over 25 different workshop topics for all officers, planning commissioners, and other interested persons will be offered over the two and a half days of convention program. See the tentative agenda, convention updates and registration form. The event features a variety of activities and we urge every town and village to send one or more officers, plan commissioners, or other interested persons.

Towns and Villages Invited to Apply for Innovations in American Government Award

(08/21/08) Harvard University has invited Wisconsin towns, villages and special purpose districts to apply for the prestigious Innovations in American Government Award, given annually to “programs that serve as examples of creative and effective government at its best.” Top winners of the 2009 award will receive a $100,000 grant to support replication and dissemination activities. All winners and finalists receive monetary grants. The program is administered by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. Applications and additional information are available on their website: www.innovationsaward.harvard.edu. Online applications are simple to complete and are due on September 30, 2008.

State Contracts Available to Local Governments Responding to Flooding

(06/17/08) Towns, sanitary districts and other local governments in Wisconsin can use the same state-negotiated contracts used by large agencies to buy supplies and services. Contracts typically feature competitive pricing and other benefits due to the state's large buying power and state officials note that some may be helpful in responding to the aftermath of recent flooding. Click here for more information. A complete list of contracts available to local governments can be found on the Department of Administration web site.

Cooperative Extension Offers Advise on Coping with Flood Damage

(06/17/08) Recent heavy and widespread rains in Wisconsin have left many families and farmers with questions about how to deal with flooded homes, business, farms and fields. Answers to many flood-related questions can be found online at Cooperative Extension’s Extension Responds web site, which provides accurate, objective, research-based information developed in partnership by UW-System and UW-Extension faculty and Cooperative Extension agents. For more information, please contact your county Cooperative Extension office.

Summer Education Seminar Series Will Focus on "Three Basics" of Local Government

(05/27/08) WTA Education Director Thomas Harnisch invites town and village officials to a series of summer seminars (eight locations) in June, July and August on the “three basics” of local governance: Open Meetings; Open Records; and Ethics. We encourage towns and villages to invite their planning commission members and any other committee members who are subject to the open meeting law and pubic records law. The program will cover both the basics of each area as well as some of the breaking issues such as issues created by emails and computers for local officials. All eight sessions will be held on Saturdays throughout the state for the convenience of those officers who can not attend week day meetings. Click here for the registration form.

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

(04/30/08) 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. The Local Government Institute of Wisconsin (LGI) was formed in October 2007 to conduct research, foster collaboration and educate the public and policymakers on ways to improve local services. Past WTA President Terry McMahon is a voting member and WTA Executive Director Rick Stadelman is a non-voting member of the institute’s board. Click here for more information about the new institute. Click here for more information.