Week of April 20, 2015
WCA President Johnson, Jr. Awarded "Minority Small Business Champion" by U.S. Small Business Administration

Each year, the U.S. Small Business Administration recognizes the contributions of small businesses to America's economy by honoring outstanding small business owners and the organizations that support them.

According to the SBA, seven small businesses and six individuals and organizations that support entrepreneurial success will receive awards from SBA's Wisconsin District at the office's annual awards breakfast in June.   "These companies and individuals exemplify the best of the Badger State's small businesses and the partners that help them succeed.  It's an honor to highlight their hard work and dedication," says Eric Ness, SBA's Wisconsin District Director.

One of the 2015 winners is WCA President and Milwaukee County Supervisor Willie Johnson, Jr., who has been named as "Minority Small Business Champion."  According to the media release from SBA:

"Willie Johnson Jr. first volunteered time in 1986 to help small minority firms get certification with the then-Milwaukee Joint Certification program.  His interest in assisting minority firms continues today.  He serves in multiple capacities, including serving as chair for the WisDOT Region 5 DBE Stakeholder Advisory Committee."

President Willie Johnson, Jr. will be recognized at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center on June 5th in Milwaukee.

Read the full media release from the SBA here on President Johnson, Jr.
WCA Annual Conference Registration and Room Blocks Open May 1

Registration will open May 1, 2015 for the WCA Annual Conference, being held September 20-22, 2015 in La Crosse County.
Please note that hotel room blocks do not open until May 1, 2015.

To see a complete listing of housing options, click here.

In addition, the WCA Annual Conference tentative agenda is now out.  View it here.

For questions contact  WCA Marketing and Events Manager Cheryl Fleck at 866.404.2700.
Sign Up for WCA Weekly Budget Webinars

The WCA Government Affairs Team is hosting weekly budget webinars on Mondays at 9:00 a.m. during state budget deliberations. An email with additional detail and registration information will be sent each Tuesday.

The deadline for registering for each webinar is 8:00 a.m. on the day of the webinar. Register for the Monday, April 27 webinar by clicking here.

Webinars are recorded each week and will placed on the WCA website under Legislative>State Budget>2015-2017 State Budget WCA Webinars shortly after the conclusion of each webinar.

See the Monday, April 20 webinar here.
Local Government Property Insurance Fund Update

On Friday April 17, 2015, the Joint Committee on Finance debated Governor Walker's proposal to close the Local Government Property Insurance Fund. The committee voted unanimously to delay the closure of the fund. Under this action, the last day for coverage renewal would be January 1, 2018 and the last day to file claims would be July 1, 2019. Final determination on closure of the fund is still subject to final action on the State Budget by the Legislature and Governor.

 


Welcome New WCA Associate Member Wipfli LLP!

The role and relationship of government with the private sector has changed in recent years. The creation of the WCA Associate Member Program is one more way WCA is reaching out to bring together the public and private sectors.

WCA welcomes our newest Associate Member, Wipfli LLP.  Learn more about them and all our members by clicking on the link below.

WCA Associate Members include:

AECOM
American Transmission Company, LLC
Baird
Discover Mediaworks
General Motors  
Motorola Solutions, Inc.
Wipfli LLP

We encourage you to learn more about our WCA Associate Members by clicking here.  For more information about this program please contact WCA Marketing and Events Manager Cheryl Fleck at 866.404.2700.    

Follow WCA on Social Media

To stay updated on the latest WCA news, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@wiscounties).  

Questions? Contact Michelle Gormican Thompson via email or at 866.404.2700.
IN THIS ISSUE
WCA President Johnson, Jr. Awarded by SBA
WCA Conference Registration Opens May 1
Sign up for Weekly Budget Webinars
Local Government Property Insurance Fund Update
WCA Associate Members
SIGN UP TODAY FOR TDA DRIVE-IN ON MAY 6TH 

Wisconsin's significant transportation needs have been well documented.  In the Badger State, we are particularly dependent on a reliable and efficient transportation system due to the dominance of the manufacturing, agriculture and tourism industries.  Opinion leaders and elected officials all seem to agree on this point.

Come to the Transportation Development Association's (TDA) Drive-in on May 6th to hear from our elected leaders, share your perspective with them and make the case for bold leadership and sound transportation investment.

Register for the TDA Drive-In here.
2015 WCA ANNUAL CONFERENCE & MARKETPLACE  

The WCA Annual Conference, along with the WCA Marketplace, serves as the biggest gathering of county supervisors, county officials and those directly and indirectly involved in county government all year. The event, held this year September 20-22, 2015 in LaCrosse County, presents a unique marketing opportunity for you to meet and interact with county decision-makers face-to-face.

Learn more about the 2015 WCA Marketplace here.
"WHAT ARE COUNTIES" TOOLKIT AVAILABLE ONLINE  

The WCA  campaign, "What are Counties," came about because of conversations with our county officials desiring a brochure on county government services to hand out when they spoke to civic groups, students and other entities.

The result of this collaborative effort was much more than a brochure.  WCA is proud to present the "What are Counties" trio of resources -- a video, presentation and brochure, to share the good news of what counties do to "Help Make Wisconsin Great."

Learn about the "What are Counties" Toolkit and watch the video here.