Join the Discussion in October: Final 2010 Wisconsin Economic Summit Series Focuses on "Moving Wisconsin Forward"
 The third and final installment of the 2010 Wisconsin Economic Summit Series is scheduled for October 5, 2010 in Milwaukee. The topic for the day is "Moving Wisconsin Forward."
The Wisconsin Economic Summit Series is a statewide collaborative effort to develop positive new strategies for spurring significant economic growth, balancing the state's responsibility to address the needs of its citizens with the ability of its citizens to pay for the services, and finding common ground for how best to move Wisconsin forward in the 21st century
In addition, for the final summit there is a Regional Scholarship Program available. Series conveners and sponsors have developed a special offer to individuals statewide who are interested in attending the Summit, but are unable to cover the registration costs associated with it.
For details on the summit scholarship program, click here.
To register for the October 5th event, click here.
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"Wisconsin County Purchasing Directory" Free Interactive Vendor Resource
The online "Wisconsin Purchasing Directory" is a free search tool to discover vendors for which you can do business with in your county. Are you utilizing this free search tool?
The directory is interactive, searchable and available 24/7. It also includes direct links to company web sites, as well as references from other local units of government for which they've worked.
To begin using the "Wisconsin County Purchasing Directory," click here. We are confident it will be a reliable resource for your purchasing decisions.
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Marathon County's Langenhahn Featured in Video on County Government
 The latest installment of the ENGAGE video series, created by the Educational Communications Board, features a profile of Marathon County Board Chairman Keith Langenhahn. WCA Legislative Associate David Callender worked with the group to help in the creation of the video and develop some of its content.
Watch and learn more by clicking here.
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Register Today for October WCA Educational Seminar on Risk Management
On October 18, WCA will host an educational seminar, "Controlling County Costs Through Risk Management" at the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha. The seminar will be presented by Aegis Corporation Vice President of Risk Management Vance Forrest and Senior Risk Management Consultant Jodi Traas, as well as Michelle Ford of Crivello-Carlson, S.C.
For more information, including registration, click here.
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WISTAX Issues Report on County Administration and Finances
Twenty-five of 72 counties offered health insurance to their county
board chairs in 2009, while 21 counties offered health insurance to
regular board members. Retirement benefits were also offered to board
chairs in 23 counties. These facts and more are included in a new report
from the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX) titled "How County
Administration and Finances Stack Up."
Read the full report by clicking here.
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Transportation Fund Referendum on Fall Ballot in 49 Counties; Three More to Bring it Up
With the fall election fast approaching, 49 county boards have voted to include an advisory referendum question on the ballot asking if the Wisconsin constitution should be amended to protect transportation funds. This week Iron and Bayfield Counties will take up the issue, with the Rock County Board voting on it September 9th. Finding Forward is a broad-based coalition of Wisconsin county and municipal governments, private businesses, organized labor, agriculture, non-profit associations, regional planning interests, housing organizations and other groups, all support amending the Wisconsin constitution to prohibit transferring money from the transportation fund to the state's general fund or for purposes unrelated to transportation. The majority of states in the nation currently protect their transportation funds via constitutional provisions. More information about Finding Forward and the campaign to safeguard Wisconsin's transportation fund is available at www.FindingForwardWisconsin.org. |
2010 Wisconsin Good Government Award Application Deadline September 3rd
 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.
Visit the GGA website for additional information and entry materials including an online application. http://www.wisgoodgov.com. Nominations are due by 5:00 p.m. on September 3, 2010.
The GGA program is presented by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Towns Association and Foth Companies. |
Rock County Examines Design of New Nursing Home
Rock County is in the midst of a design study for a new nursing home. Read an article by the Janesville Gazette that features WCA Senior Legislative Associate Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf by clicking here. |
DNR Brownfield Site Assessment Grants Available to Investigate Contaminated Properties
Wisconsin communities with properties that have known or suspected environmental contamination can apply for state grants to help jump start cleaning up the properties. The Department of Natural Resources Brownfield Site Assessment Grants (SAG) are available to help municipalities start investigation activities at brownfields, which are abandoned, idle or underused industrial or commercial properties where redevelopment is hindered by real or perceived contamination. Learn more here. |
WCA Annual Conference Fast Approaching: Register Today!
There is still time to register for the 2010 WCA Annual Conference, being held September 26-28 in Milwaukee County. This year's event will be held at the Frontier Airlines Center (formerly Midwest Airlines Center) and the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. To view the tentative agenda, as well as for registration information, click here. If you are a business interested in exhibiting at the event, click here. |
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Follow WCA on Facebook!
 Follow up-to-the minute news and updates on WCA's new Facebook page.
Check it out here and be sure to become a fan!
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To Ponder...
The total amount of money Social Security pays its 60 million beneficiaries annually: $700 billion. Source: NextGov.com
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