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Last week's issue incorrectly stated some of the details of how levy limits work for counties. As in previous years, counties where voters approve a referendum to increase the levy above the 2 percent limit will see no reduction in state aids as a result. There has been no law change on this point. |
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On September 29, WCA will host an educational seminar, "Working Lands Initiative," in Stevens Point at the Holiday Inn. The seminar features Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Rod Nilsestuen. Learn more here, including registration information. |
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Don Gorske, the Fond du Lac man who made the Guinness Book of World Records in 2003 by eating 19,000 McDonald's Big Macs, is still at it and just reached the 23,000 mark. The 6-foot physically fit Gorske has eaten at least one Big Mac a day since May 17, 1972 and has kept his receipts for all of his Big Macs.
Source: The Wheeler Report |
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 Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen issued several opinions last week, both formal and informal, on various issues impacting counties.
A formal opinion was issued clarifying the relationship between a county executive, county human services director and county health officer. The opinion answered two questions posed by Portage County Corporation Counsel Michael J. McKenna concerning the operation of county human services departments and county health departments in counties that have created the elective office of county executive. Read a media release on the opinion here.
Two informal opinions were also issued, one dealing with the duty of county jail staff to comply with "Do Not Resuscitate" orders of county jail inmates and one regarding the private arrest powers of private security guards.
Read the media release on the opinion about county jail staff here and the one on private security guards here. |
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 Representatives of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) will both visit Wisconsin during today's partisan primary election. They will be in Milwaukee and Madison to monitor the election administration and voting process in Wisconsin.
Read the full media release from the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board here. |
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Milwaukee County voters will be asked in November if they want to raise the local sales tax by an extra one percent. County Executive Scott Walker vetoed the referendum, but the County Board overrode the veto last week on a 13-6 vote.
The proposed sales tax hike would bring in an extra $130 million per year. Supporters want to spend that money on county parks and the transit system and some of it could be left over for property tax relief. The referendum is only advisory, and the Legislature would have to approve the sales tax hike. |
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This is the final week for Wisconsin residents to register for disaster help. A simple phone call or online visit can qualify a household or business for recovery money and services from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and other agencies.
Read the full media release from FEMA here. |
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September is National Preparedness Month and the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs and the Wisconsin Homeland Security Council are trying to spread the important message of emergency preparedness.
Wisconsin Counties, the monthly publication of WCA, highlights the topic in this month's issue.
Learn more about National Preparedness Month here. |
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 If you haven't registered yet for the WCA Annual Conference, you can do it quickly and easily online by clicking here, and going to "Upcoming Featured Events" on the left side. Please note that the Early Bird Registration ends this Friday, Sepember 12th! This year's conference is October 12-14 at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center and is packed full of timely educational sessions on some of the biggest issues facing county officials today.
To see a glimpse of this year's sessions, click here. |
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The Wisconsin Women in County Government will gather for their annual breakfast meeting on Monday, October 13 at 6:30 a.m. in the Cypress Room at the Kalahari Resort at the WCA Annual Conference. This year's theme is "Women's Health in Wisconsin" and speakers include Dr. Teresa Woods, Director of Cancer Psychology at the University of Wisconsin's Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center and Assistant Professor at the UW Department of Psychiatry.
Other speakers include Patti Wohlfeil, Waushara County Health Department and Kim Hurtz, Aegis Corporation. |
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 This year the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin (TDA) is replacing its annual meeting with a policy forum entitled, "Transportation: Our Future Rides on It." The event will be held on November 12-13 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. This event will put a spotlight on transportation funding as we head into the next state budget. Working with many groups to refine the agenda and ensure a large and diverse audience, TDA has put together an impressive list of national and local transportation leaders. These leaders will present the challenges facing not only Wisconsin but the nation when it comes to adequately funding transportation and also possible solutions.
Stay tuned for additional details at www.ourfutureridesonit.com |
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 Come to an important conversation concerning the future of Wisconsin's Lake Michigan Basin.
Lake Michigan Shorelands Alliance and Gathering Waters Conservancy invite you to help us protect the quality of life in Wisconsin's Lake Michigan Basin. Join us this fall at one of our Great Lake Gatherings, a series of four community forums taking place in key communities along Lake Michigan:Sheboygan: October 1, John Michael Kohler Arts Center
Mequon: October 8, Mequon Nature Preserve
The Gatherings are bringing together local business owners, government officials, community leaders, landowners and other citizens to tackle the complex challenges facing the watershed. Full Story... |
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The Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the Alliance of Cities, the League of Municipalities,1,000 Friends of Wisconsin and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association are hosting "Climate Change Summit: Wisconsin Communities Take Action," at UW-Stevens Point on December 12, 2008 in Stevens Point.
Learn more here. |
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The interim Wisconsin Geographic Information Coordination Council (WIGICC) is forming! The process to select members of the new Council is nearly complete, with 14 of the 15 members now named. The first council meeting is scheduled for September 23rd in Madison, followed by a statewide "Network" meeting on October 28th at the Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton.
If you have an interest in the future of GIS in Wisconsin, then this is a must-attend event. The meeting will be a well organized, professionally led gathering offering both presentations and opportunities for you to present your ideas on the future of GIS in this state. So, note the date now, more detailed information on this event will be coming soon.
To read the latest about the "WIGICC Network" and to view a list of Council members, click here.
For additional background information on WIGICC, see the new WIGICC website.
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 The Wisconsin Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Education (WISCAPE) has announced its fall programming lineup.
The aim of each is to inform and improve postsecondary education policy, research, and practice through the creation and exchange of knowledge. WISCAPE encourages you to attend these programs and contribute to the conversation. All ideas and voices are welcome.
To learn more about upcoming WISCAPE events and programming, click here
You may also sign up to receive WISCAPE's monthly e-newsletter by e-mailing here. |
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