Week of October 26, 2015
WCA Joins Other Groups for Transportation Funding Outreach to "Just Fix It"

Transportation is one of the most talked about topics in the state right now, with questions being raised about how our state's infrastructure will be funded, how much borrowing will be done and what major projects will be delayed.

According to the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin, "Wisconsin has had blue ribbon commission reports and studies that have clearly documented the need to increase state and local transportation investment simply to maintain the current level of service. Yet, nothing has been done.

U.S. DOT Fact Sheets released in July of 2015 show Wisconsin road conditions rank the third worst in the nation - 71% are in 'mediocre to poor' condition."

Just Fix It
And this is the idea behind TDA's joint outreach: "Just Fix It."
TDA is joined in this effort by the Wisconsin Counties Association, the Wisconsin Towns Association, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, CASE, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin and others.

This outreach, which will kick off in earnest next year, will help local government leaders across Wisconsin engage with constituents and provide an opportunity to simply hold a mirror up to their communities to determine if people like what they see.

Studies and reports can document needs and provide analysis, but people need to see the examples, hear the stories and have the opportunity to participate. Otherwise, deteriorating transportation conditions is just another problem too big and too complicated to fix.

Please stay tuned to this publication for further updates to the "Just Fix It" campaign and what you can do to highlight transportation needs in your county.

Bonus Read: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial: "More Borrowing for Roads Isn't the Answer."
WCA Names Senator Sheila Harsdorf "Friend of County Government"

The Wisconsin Counties Association has named Senator Sheila Harsdorf as the 2015 recipient of their "Friend of County Government."

This is the highest honor given by the Association to an individual who has performed outstanding service to county government in their official capacity. Senator Harsdorf (R-River Falls) was honored at the WCA Annual Conference in La Crosse County recently. 

Read more about Senator Harsdorf's award here.
2015 County Mutual's Law Enforcement Challenge Success

The Wisconsin County Mutual Insurance Corporation and Community Insurance Corporation held their successful 4th Annual Advanced Law Enforcement Risk Training (A.L.E.R.T.) Law Enforcement Challenge on October 7, 2015.  Close to 30 member law enforcement departments from around Wisconsin competed at the event.

See pictures from the event, as well as learn about this year's winning county departments, by clicking here.
Leadership Wisconsin Taking Applications for 2016-2018 Group!

Leadership Wisconsin is a statewide leadership development organization affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Extension. They have 33 years of experience and a national reputation for producing highly effective leaders.

What Do they Do?
Their mission is developing leaders to strengthen communities. They do this through a dynamic, two-year, hands-on leadership experience.

As a participant, you have the opportunity to:
*    Discover Your Passion - What do you want to change? What legacy do you want to leave? Find what drives you and set course for changing the future.
*    Discover Your Potential   - What are your strengths? How can you lead more effectively? Grow your capacity to build relationships, empower others, explore alternative perspectives, and find solutions to complex problems.  
*    Discover Your Philosophy - What kind of leader are you? What kind of leader do you want to be? Uncover who you are and begin leading effectively.
Applications Due November 30th!
Applications are currently available for the 2016-2018 Leadership Wisconsin Group and can be found here.
October National Cyber Security Awareness Month
The month of October has been designated National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) by President Obama.

In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Association of Counties (NACo) has been dedicating a webinar each week to a specific cybersecurity topic and its connection to the private and public sectors.

Learn more about National Cyber Security Awareness Month and register for the week five webinar on October 28, "Building the Next Generation of Cyber Professionals," by clicking here.
Legal Update: IRS Scrutinizes Public Employer PTO Plans

Public employers in Wisconsin have traditionally provided employees with some sort of paid leave program whereby employees would receive salary continuation on days when an employee was ill, on vacation, or celebrating a holiday. In many cases, public employers would allow employees to "bank" unused leave time for future use. In some cases, employees would be granted the privilege of converting unused leave time to cash or contributing the financial value of the time to an extended health coverage benefit upon retirement.

Read the full legal update on this issue by von Briesen & Roper's Daniel S. Welytok & Andrew T. Phillips, which has impacted several counties in Wisconsin, by clicking here.
Join WisPolitics.com to Celebrate 15 Years; Featuring NBC's Chuck Todd

wispolitics NBC "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd will help WisPolitics.com celebrate its 15th anniversary the evening of Nov. 11 in Madison.

Todd, who helped WisPolitics.com years ago when he was with National Journal's "Hotline,'' will provide a briefing on the 2016 presidential race and top U.S. Senate contests.

Seating in the Orpheum Theater is available for $35 per seat. The price includes complimentary soft drinks and appetizers. A cash bar will be available. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.

Theater seating includes light appetizers and soft drinks. A cash bar will be available. Cost is $35 each, not including ticket processing fees.

Theater tickets are available through the Orpheum box office.
  • Active and retired military with ID are free on a first-come, first-served basis, and students with ID pay $20. Call the ticket office at 608-250-2600.

WCA Associate Members

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 Associate Members include:

AECOM
American Transmission Company, LLC
Baird
Discover Mediaworks 
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.    
IN THIS ISSUE
Harsdorf Named "Friend of County Government"
2015 Law Enforcement Challenge Success
Leadership Wisconsin Now Taking Applications!
October Cyber Security Awareness Month
Legal Update: IRS Scrutinizes Public Employer PTO Plans
Join WisPolitics.com to Celebrate 15 Years
WCA Associate Members
Register for November WCA Educational Seminar: "Fraud Risk, Awareness, Prevention, Management and Response"  

Is your county taking steps to ensure financial fraud does not occur? What is the role of county elected officials and county employees in managing risk related to fraud? Who is responsible to put processes and procedures in place to prevent fraudulent activity?

This WCA Educational Seminar on November 16 in Stevens Point offers county officials an opportunity to hear from experts on how to create awareness of fraud risk, prevent, manage, and create internal controls opportunities to mitigate the risk of fraud. You will also hear examples of schemes where fraud occurred in other organizations.

La Crosse County's Klekamp Named "Friend In County Government"  

La Crosse County's Jane Klekamp has been named as the 2015 recipient of the Wisconsin Counties Association's (WCA) "Friend in County Government" award for her work in the areas of alternatives to incarceration and effective justice strategies.  

This is the highest honor given by the Association to an individual who has performed outstanding service not only in their own county, but also for the Association and counties statewide. 

Read more about Jane Klekamp's award here.  
Watch Discover Wisconsin Episode on County Forests 

The rolling hills, the beautiful fall colors, ATV and Snowmobile trails, bird watching, waterfalls tours and a huge economic boost to Wisconsin, Wisconsin's County Forests offer so much. Discover what it takes to manage Wisconsin's County Forests and how these forests provide four seasons of recreational fun.

Learn more and watch the Discover Wisconsin episode on county forests by clicking here.  
WCA Annual
Conference Handouts 

Did you have a favorite workshop at this year's WCA Annual Conference? Missed a timely topic to attend another presentation?

Now, many workshop handouts can be found online under "Past Event Materials" by clicking here. 
WCA Webinar Now Available Online:  

The October 19 WCA webinar, "Sustainability Success Stories: Case Studies from Green Tier Legacy Communities," included presenters City of Middleton Administrator Mike Davis, City of Fitchburg; Environmental Engineer Rick Eilertson, P.E. and Mike Friedlander of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Listen to the WCA webinar and see all presentations by clicking here and scrolling down to "2015 WCA Webinars." 
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