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On February 25, 2008, WCA will host an educational seminar on the emerging issues facing county governments in Wisconsin.
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Number of personal data records reported compromised by data breaches at companies, government agencies, schools and other institutions in 2007, a nearly fourfold increase over the number reported the previous year, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center: More than 79 million.
Source: Associated Press |
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 Dear County Officials and Interested Parties:
I am writing to let you know I have accepted a position with the state of Wisconsin Employee Trust Funds (ETF) as Director of Legislation, Communication and Planning. My last day with the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) was Friday, January 11, 2008. While I am extremely excited about the new opportunity and responsibilities of this important position with ETF, I will miss working with county government and county officials throughout Wisconsin.
My time spent working with WCA and county government has been nothing short of a great experience. I have been fortunate during my tenure with WCA to develop excellent working relationships and friendships with county, municipal and state officials as well as with the many individuals who work closely with county government. Without the opportunity to work for such a well-respected organization as WCA, those relationships and friendships would not have been possible.
It has been a privilege and pleasure to work with each of you. Thank you for your friendship and support throughout the years. And finally, thank you for the great work you do providing quality services to the citizens of Wisconsin.
Sincerely,
Matthew Stohr
Legislative Associate |
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If you haven't registered yet for the 2008 WCA Legislative Exchange on February 5-6, 2008 in Madison, now is the time.
This year's agenda addresses many of the key issues facing counties, with speakers from the state and federal level, as well as scheduled time for Capitol visits with your legislators. To see the full agenda, click here. To register, go here. |
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On Wednesday, January 9, 2008. the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Higher Education heard testimony on Assembly Bill 33, legislation that would create a deadline for the distribution of agricultural land penalties.
Authored by Representative Carol Owens at the request of the Wisconsin County Treasurers' Association, this legislation is intended to streamline the process for county treasurers by providing a clear timeline for payment. Current statute states that the payment must be made in a "reasonable amount of time." Assembly Bill 33 passed the Assembly unanimously in November of 2007. |
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The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council recently ran a fascinating article about how the nation's open government concept is based on a fight between the Jefferson County Board and the county's clerk of courts 100 years ago when they fought about funding for firewood and candles. This case, "The County of Jefferson vs. Besley," was uncovered recently by lawyers at the Madison office of Godfrey & Kahn, who were researching the authenticity of an entry on Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia.
This seemingly trivial issue became the basis of a major court decision that still has relevance today.
Thanks to Jefferson County Board Board Chairman Sharon Schmeling for submitting this article by Bill Lueders to WCA eNews.
Read on for the Wisconsin Freedom on Information Council's complete article. Full Story... |
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 Applications are now being accepted for the 2008 Governor's Business Plan Contest. The mission of the Governor's Business Plan Contest is to encourage entrepreneurs in the creation, start-up and early-growth stages of high-tech businesses in Wisconsin. Participants have the chance to win seed capital, valuable services that will help them launch their businesses and a grand prize worth $50,000. Since its inception in 2004, more than 1,000 entries have been received and nearly $650,000 in cash and in-kind prizes has been awarded. In 2007, 12 finalists won cash prizes.
Produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council and a growing list of partners, the Governor's Business Plan Contest engages contestants in a six-month process that includes mentoring and comments from judges on selected plans. It will also lead to valuable public and media exposure for the best business plans submitted by contestants and spur economic growth in Wisconsin. In addition, past finalists have raised a reported $11 million in private equity, such as angel and venture capital.
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 Applications are now being accepted for the annual NACo Achievement Award Program. This non-competitive awards program seeks to recognize innovative county government programs called County Model Programs.
County governments across the country, working alone and in cooperation with other governments at the municipal, state and national levels, continue to develop innovative and successful programs in a wide range of service areas, including arts and historic preservation, children and youth, community and economic development, corrections, county administration, emergency management, environmental protection, health, human services, libraries, parks and recreation, transportation, volunteers and much more. The Achievement Awards Program gives national recognition to county accomplishments, and has enabled NACo to build a storehouse of county success stories that can be passed on to other counties.
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The 4th Annual Wisconsin Employee Relations Council will hold its Wisconsin Public Sector Labor Relations Conference in Madison on May 1, 2008. For registration information, click here. |
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To learn more about Robert W. Baird, click here and for more information on Discover Mediaworks, click here.
If your business or organization is interested in becoming part of the new WCA Associate Member Program, contact WCA Executive Director Mark D. O'Connell or WCA Director of Programs and Services J. Michael Blaska at 866.404.2700. |
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