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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Fact Sheets

Fact Sheet #1: Wisconsin Open Meetings Law – (PDF file, 167 kb, 11 pages)
Fact Sheet #1 en español – Reuniones Abiertas – (PDF file, 209 kb, 11 pages)
Fact Sheet #2: The Property Assessment and Tax Process for Towns, Villages and Cities (updated 05/12) – (PDF file, 141 kb, 3 pages)
Fact Sheet #3: Common Language Definitions of Terms Used in Real Estate Property Tax Matters in Wisconsin – (PDF file, 20 kb, 3 pages)
Fact Sheet #4: Annexation – (PDF file, 196 kb, 9 pages)
Fact Sheet #5: Powers, Compensation, Composition of Library Boards – (PDF file, 25 kb, 3 pages)
Fact Sheet #6: Town Meetings (updated 02/18) – (PDF file, 69 kb, 7 pages)
Fact Sheet #7: The Wisconsin Public Records Law (updated 04/19) – (PDF file, 238 kb, 19 pages)
Fact Sheet #7 en español – Ley de Registros Publicos – (PDF file, 237 kb, 18 pages)
Fact Sheet #8: Self-Organized Counties – (PDF file, 23 kb, 2 pages)
Fact Sheet #9: Wisconsin Business Improvement Districts – BIDs – (PDF file, 188 kb, 4 pages)
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 (PDF file, 129 kb, 14 pages)
Fact Sheet #11: W-2, Organization Chart and Map (RETIRED)
Fact Sheet #12: How to Interpret an Ordinance – (PDF file, 25 kb, 2 pages)
Fact Sheet #13: Fences in Agricultural Areas (updated 12/11) – (PDF file, 146 kb, 7 pages)
Fact Sheet #14: Wisconsin Statutory Authority for Boundary & Related Agreements – (PDF file, 48 kb, 6 pages)
Fact Sheet #15: Wisconsin’s New Comprehensive Planning & Smart Growth Law(out of date and under revision 6/14) – (PDF file, 26 kb)
Fact Sheet #16: The Town Plan Commission (out of date and under revision 6/14) – (PDF file, 42 kb)
Fact Sheet #17: Financial Management in Local Government: Frequently Used Terms (Updated 1/11) – (PDF file, 145 kb, 8 pages)
Fact Sheet #18: Village Powers for Town Boards (out of date and under revision 6/14) – (PDF file, 246 kb)
Fact Sheet #19: County Government in Wisconsin: History and Background(Updated 09/12) – (PDF file, 143 kb, 7 pages)
Fact Sheet #20: Public Participation in Local Government Body Meetings (Updated 05/13) – (PDF file, 120 kb, 4 pages)
Fact Sheet #21: Limits of County Board Administrative Authority (Updated 08/12) – (PDF file, 140 kb, 6 pages)
Fact Sheet #22: Electronic Meetings – (PDF file, 151 kb, 5 pages)

Frequently Asked Questions

Comprehensive Planning & Smart Growth Law FAQs – (PDF file, 48 kb, 7 pages)
Reconsidering Main Motions FAQs – (PDF file, 47 kb, 2 pages)
Closing Debate (aka “Calling the Question”) FAQs – (PDF file, 41 kb, 1 page)
Voting Procedures for Local Government Bodies FAQs – (PDF file, 44 kb, 2 pages)
Participation Rights of the Chairperson FAQs – (PDF file, 46 kb, 2 pages)
Quorum and Attendance of Members at Local Government Meetings FAQs – (PDF file, 45 kb, 2 pages)
Abstentions FAQs – (PDF file, 83 kb, 2 pages)
Friendly Amendments and Withdrawing Motions FAQs – (PDF file, 54 kb, 2 pages)
What are the Legal Requirements for Minimum and Maximum BID Assessments? – (PDF file, 36 kb, 1 page)
Ethics and Conflicts of Interest – FAQs – (PDF file, 303 kb, 12 pages)

Papers

Capital Improvement Planning – (PDF file, 1.32 Mb, 5 pages)
Alternatives for the Delivery of Government Services (Revised April 2001) – (PDF file, 422 kb, 19 pages)
Local Public Services In Wisconsin: Alternatives for Municipalities with a Focus on Privatization – (PDF file, 232 kb, 20 pages)
- Selected References – (PDF file, 154 kb, 6 pages)
- Tables – (PDF file, 111 kb, 5 pages)
- Graphs – (PDF file, 566 kb, 21 pages)
- Fact Sheet #1: Overview – (PDF file, 122 kb, 2 pages)
- 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 file, 314 kb, 10 pages)
- Fact Sheet #3: Comparison of Service Production Methods and the Incidence of Privatization – Public Safety; Health and Human Services; and Support Functions – (PDF file, 324 kb, 10 pages)
- Fact Sheet #4: Factors Influencing the Decision to Privatize and Factors Contributing to Success – (PDF file, 183 kb, 6 pages)
- Fact Sheet #5: Administering/Bidding Contracts and Monitoring Contractor Performance – (PDF file, 229 kb, 6 pages)

Files before 2010 have been removed

PowerPoint Slide Presentations

Agendas and Minutes for Local Government – (PowerPoint file, 128 kb, 34 slides)
Fundamentals of Effective Meetings: Basic Principles and Protocol – (PowerPoint file, 514 kb, 19 slides)
Are You Ready to Run For Local Elected Office? – (PowerPoint file, 1,120 kb, 19 slides)
Intergovernmental Cooperation: A Strategy for Limited Resources – (PowerPoint file, 484 kb, 36 slides)
Ethics and Conflicts of Interest – (PowerPoint file, 162 kb, 54 slides)
Financial Management Series #1 “Basics of Local Government Financial Management” – (PowerPoint file, 96 kb, 24 slides)
Financial Management Series #2 “Local Government Budgets” – (PowerPoint file, 346 kb, 31 slides)
Financial Management Series #3 “Using Net Present Value to Evaluate the Value of Money Over Time” – (PowerPoint file, 104 kb, 34 slides)
Financial Management Series #4 “Impact Fees” – (PowerPoint file, 156 kb, 33 slides)
Financial Management Series #5 “Debt Management” – (PowerPoint file, 121 kb, 46 slides)
Financial Management Series #6 “An Introduction to Capital Planning” – (PowerPoint file, 98 kb, 33 slides)
Financial Management Series #7 “Performance Measurement & Performance Based Budgeting (PBB)” Introductory Version – (PowerPoint file, 108 kb, 22 slides)
Financial Management Series #8 “Performance Measurement & Performance Based Budgeting (PBB)” Instructional Version – (PowerPoint file, 557 kb, 95 slides)
Financial Management Series #9 “Local Government Budgets: Approaches and Traits” – (PowerPoint file, 180 kb, 20 slides)
Financial Management Series #10 “Audits” – (PowerPoint file, 140 kb, 17 slides)
Financial Management Series #11 “Debt Indicators” – (PowerPoint file, 608 kb, 31 slides)
Financial Management Series #12 “Bonds and Bond Ratings” – (PowerPoint file, 170 kb, 39 slides)
Financial Management Series #13 – in process
Financial Management Series #14 “Cost Benefit Analysis” – (PowerPoint file, 180 kb, 30 slides)
Financial Management Series #15 “Efficiency Approaches” – (PowerPoint file, 240 kb, 11 slides)
Financial Management Series #16 “Lean Government” – (PowerPoint file, 292 kb, 34 slides)
Deliberative Governance: Civility and Civil Dialogue in Local Government – (PowerPoint file, 894 kb, 34 slides)
Deliberative Governance: Leading the Way Toward More Collaborative Local Governance – (PowerPoint file, 332 kb, 13 slides)
Deliberative Governance: Promoting Civil Discourse in Local Government – (PowerPoint file, 316 kb, 11 slides)
Deliberative Governance: Techniques in Civic Engagement – (PowerPoint file, 894 kb, 34 slides)

Reports

“Merger of City/Village Services: Best Practices” (2003) – (PDF file, 161 kb, 68 pages)
“2012-13 Local Government Center Narrative” – (PDF file, 854 kb, 5 pages)

Resource Listing

“Local Government & Finance Basic Resources List” (2005, Revised 2008) – (Microsoft Word file, 134 kb, 8 pages)

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.