Resources for Local Officials
Below is a listing of available resources listed by type. These resources and others can also be found by browsing our topic pages.
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Model Agreements | Fact Sheets | Frequently Asked Questions | Papers | Powerpoint Slide Presentations | Reports | Resource Listing & Websites | Sample Ordinances Webinars | Levy Limits Impacts
Model Agreements
- Model Agreement #1: EMS
Fact Sheets
- Fact Sheet #1: Wisconsin Open Meetings Law
- Fact Sheet #1 en español – Reuniones Abiertas
- Fact Sheet #2: The Property Assessment and Tax Process for Towns, Villages and Cities
- Fact Sheet #3: Common Language Definitions of Terms Used in Real Estate Property Tax Matters in Wisconsin
- Fact Sheet #4: Annexation
- Fact Sheet #5: Powers, Compensation, Composition of Library Boards
- Fact Sheet #6: Town Meetings
- Fact Sheet #7: The Wisconsin Public Records Law
- Fact Sheet #7 en español – Ley de Registros Publicos
- Fact Sheet #8: Self-Organized Counties
- Fact Sheet #9: Wisconsin Business Improvement Districts – BIDs
- Fact Sheet #10: State Shared Revenues (RETIRED) The shared revenue program was renamed the County and Municipal Aid Program in 2003 with municipal payments frozen in that year and county payments in 2004. For program updates, see the Legislative Fiscal Bureau Informational Paper #18
- Fact Sheet #11: W-2, Organization Chart and Map (RETIRED)
- Fact Sheet #12: How Interpret an Ordinance
- Fact Sheet #13: Fences in Agricultural Areas
- Fact Sheet #14: Wisconsin Statutory Authority for Boundary & Related Agreements
- Fact Sheet #15: Wisconsin’s New Comprehensive Planning & Smart Growth Law(out of date and under revision 6/14)
- Fact Sheet #16: The Town Plan Commission (out of date and under revision 6/14)
- Fact Sheet #17: Financial Management in Local Government: Frequently Used Terms
- Fact Sheet #18: Village Powers for Town Boards (out of date and under revision 6/14)
- Fact Sheet #19: County Government in Wisconsin: History and Background
- Fact Sheet #20: Public Participation in Local Government Body Meetings
- Fact Sheet #21: Limits of County Board Administrative Authority
- Fact Sheet #22: Electronic Meetings
- Fact Sheet #23: Solar for Landowners
- Fact Sheet #24: Solar For Municipalities
Frequently Asked Questions
- Comprehensive Planning & Smart Growth Law FAQs (PDF)
- Reconsidering Main Motions FAQs (PDF)
- Closing Debate (aka “Calling the Question”) FAQs (PDF)
- Voting Procedures for Local Government Bodies FAQs (PDF)
- Participation Rights of the Chairperson FAQs (PDF)
- Quorum and Attendance of Members at Local Government Meetings FAQs (PDF)
- Abstentions FAQs (PDF)
- Friendly Amendments and Withdrawing Motions FAQs (PDF)
- What are the Legal Requirements for Minimum and Maximum BID Assessments? (PDF)
- Ethics and Conflicts of Interest – FAQs (PDF)
Papers
- Capital Improvement Planning (PDF)
- Alternatives for the Delivery of Government Services (PDF)
- Local Public Services In Wisconsin: Alternatives for Municipalities with a Focus on Privatization (PDF)
- Selected References (PDF)
- Tables (PDF)
- Graphs (PDF)
- Fact Sheet #1: Overview (PDF)
- Fact Sheet #2: Comparison of Service Production Methods and the Incidence of Privatization – Public Works and Transportation; Public Utilities; Parks and Recreation; and Cultural and Arts Programs (PDF)
- Fact Sheet #3: Comparison of Service Production Methods and the Incidence of Privatization – Public Safety; Health and Human Services; and Support Functions – (PDF)
- Fact Sheet #4: Factors Influencing the Decision to Privatize and Factors Contributing to Success (PDF)
- Fact Sheet #5: Administering/Bidding Contracts and Monitoring Contractor Performance (PDF)
- Civil Leadership for Vibrant Communities: Building Bridges through Deliberative Dialogue (PDF)
PowerPoint Slide Presentations
- Agendas and Minutes for Local Government (PowerPoint)
- Fundamentals of Effective Meetings: Basic Principles and Protocol (PowerPoint)
- Are You Ready to Run For Local Elected Office? (PowerPoint)
- Intergovernmental Cooperation: A Strategy for Limited Resources (PowerPoint)
- Ethics and Conflicts of Interest (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #1 “Basics of Local Government Financial Management” (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #2 “Local Government Budgets” (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #3 “Using Net Present Value to Evaluate the Value of Money Over Time” (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #4 “Impact Fees” (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #5 “Debt Management” (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #6 “An Introduction to Capital Planning” (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #7 “Performance Measurement & Performance Based Budgeting (PBB)” Introductory Version (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #8 “Performance Measurement & Performance Based Budgeting (PBB)” Instructional Version (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #9 “Local Government Budgets: Approaches and Traits” (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #10 “Audits” (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #11 “Debt Indicators” (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #12 “Bonds and Bond Ratings” (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #13 – in process
- Financial Management Series #14 “Cost Benefit Analysis” (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #15 “Efficiency Approaches” (PowerPoint)
- Financial Management Series #16 “Lean Government” (PowerPoint)
- Deliberative Governance: Civility and Civil Dialogue in Local Government (PowerPoint)
- Deliberative Governance: Leading the Way Toward More Collaborative Local Governance (PowerPoint)
- Deliberative Governance: Promoting Civil Discourse in Local Government (PowerPoint file)
- Deliberative Governance: Techniques in Civic Engagement (PowerPoint file)
Reports
Resource Listing & Websites
- “Local Government & Finance Basic Resources List” (Microsoft Word) Bibliography that includes books and manuals, fact sheets, websites, periodicals and other materials, many of which may be accessed by the provided internet links. It was developed by UW-Extension’s CNRED Local Governance & Finance Team.
- Related Links Links to state agencies, local government units, and associations of general interest to local government officials.
- Wisconsin Counties Association
- Wisconsin City/County Management Association
- Wisconsin County Governments – web sites of Wisconsin counties, where one exists
- UW-Division of Extension–County and Area Offices
Sample Ordinances
- Town Plan Commission Sample Ordinance and Notes, 2001 (PDF)
- Updates to Town Plan Commission Sample Ordinance, 2008 (PDF)
