Local Government Issues, Challenges, and Strategies Series

2018-2019 Topics, December 2018 – February 2019

These programs cover current or emerging topics of interest to Wisconsin local governments. Each program will provide ample opportunity for participant questions and comments. Programs will be moderated by UW-Extension’s Local Government Center staff. These programs are audio-only. You attend by telephone. Reference materials are sent to you in PDF format. One benefit of joining the program “live” is interacting with your colleagues statewide. You will get to hear their questions and the answers, and they will benefit from hearing yours.

To purchase a recorded copy of a program from a previous Local Government Issues, Challenges, and Strategies series, please visit our Register/Purchase page.

Local Government Regulation  of Nonferrous Mining — Unearthing Your Options – Tuesday, December 11, 2018 – 10:00 am — 11:00 am
Toward the end of the 2017 legislative session, Wisconsin ended its nearly 20-year moratorium on nonferrous metallic mining in the state. In doing so, the Legislature recognized a shared responsibility between state and local governments in the regulation of mining. Mining presents unique land use regulatory issues and it is important for local government policy makers and administrators to understand what regulatory tools are at their disposal and how those tools may be used when it come to considering, approving and monitoring a nonferrous metallic mine. The presenters in this session will provide an overview of the regulatory tools and provide perspective on how various towns and counties have chosen to proceed.
Presented by Carol Nawrocki, Attorney, Wisconsin Towns Association; and Andy Philips, Attorney, von Briesen & Roper, S.C.
This teleconference has already taken place. To purchase a recorded version, visit our Previous Programs from 2018.

Live, Work & Play is Dead: Innovative Ways to Attract, Retain & Engage Talent – Thursday, January 17, 2019 – 10:00 am — 11:00 am (Rescheduled from November 29, 2018)
Local governments need to be savvy and intentional about how they connect with the next generation. This presenter will cover ten ways to engage Millennials and Gen Z including successful talent attraction case studies and strategies to create connection in communities. His philosophy for community engagement starts with–change everything and then create solutions that empower constituents to create the communities they envision.
Presented by Jeremy Fojut, Co-Founder and Chief Idea Officer at NEWaukee
This teleconference has already taken place. To purchase a recorded version, visit our Previous Programs from 2019.

Repurposing our Downtowns: Strategies that Work – Thursday, January 31, 2019 – 10:00 am — 11:00 am
Downtowns in Wisconsin, both big and small, continue to experience significant change in their customers and competition. With the emergence of shopping centers in the ‘70s, large format stores in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and now the Internet coupled with brick and mortar stores, businesses are reaching new customers in new ways. Beyond traditional retail are emerging many unique businesses that contribute to downtown’s evolving purpose. But identifying the key market segments, finding the right business mix, creating an authentic niche, and use of technology require a solid market analysis. Working with UW-Extension, a community-led research project applies the data and insight from the University, with the experience of local leaders to develop a community-led market analysis. This market analysis becomes a roadmap for the community to properly manage the direction of its downtown.
Presented by Bill Ryan, UW-Extension Community Business Development Specialist; Sharon Lezburg and Victoria Solomon, UW-Extension Community Development Educators
This teleconference has already taken place. To purchase a recorded version, visit our Previous Programs from 2019.

Farm Economic Trends and their Effects on Farmers and Local Communities – Thursday, February 28, 2019 – 10:00 am — 11:00 am
Agriculture has long served as a major economic engine in Wisconsin, but today farmers are under increasing financial stress which has led to an uptick in farm bankruptcies across the state. In fact, Western Wisconsin led the nation in farm bankruptcies in 2017. As part of this session, the presenters will discuss economic trends affecting agriculture, the impacts on Wisconsin farmers, and implications for Wisconsin’s communities.
Presented by Paul Mitchell, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at UW-Madison and Gary Sipiorski, Dairy Development Manager, Vitaplus Corp and Director, Citizen State Bank of Loyal 
To register online click here https://goo.gl/K4kJQt or by phone call 608-262-0810.

Cost to Participate
$20. Participate during the live program. The connection information and reference materials (PDF) will be sent by email.
$35. Participate during the live program plus hard copy of reference materials. Please register early to allow one week for U.S. Postal Service delivery.
$35. Recorded program available on USB thumb drive.  Includes recorded program, electronic PDF file of the corresponding materials and shipping/handling.
To order past programs call 608-262-9961 or 608-262-9960.

For information on purchasing previously recorded programs:
Programs from 2018 – click here
Programs from 2017 – click here.
Programs from 2016 – click here.
Programs from 2015 – click here.
Programs 2014 and earlier – click here.

For more complete program information on past programs, you can download the brochures below.

 

Can’t Attend?

You may purchase order a recorded version on a USB drive by contacting the Local Government Center, 608-262-9960 or 608-262-9961, or you may order an online audiostream. Audiostreams are available for purchase on the Learning Store website.