Wisconsin Counties Magazine

INVESTING IN OUR COUNTIES: A FOCUS ON OUR COURTS
The third in a three-part series focusing on the WCA’s 2025-26 legislative agenda, the December 2024 issue takes a deeper look at court funding and the consequences of having insufficient staffing throughout the judicial process for victims and defendants.

The Research Room column explains how inflation differs from CPI while the Legal Issues column outlines the complexity in guardianships, protective placements and mental commitments. The issue also highlights the Uniquely Wisconsin brand and an Emmy win by Kenosha County.

See the December 2024 issue here.

INVESTING IN OUR COUNTIES: A FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH
The second in a three-part series focused on the WCA 2025-26 legislative priorities, the November 2024 issue takes an in-depth look at mental health programs and funding in Wisconsin, including community support programs, residential treatment facilities, the Outagamie County co-responder program, and a legal column on mental health commitments.

The issue also features highlights from the WCA Annual Conference, Uniquely Wisconsin stories from Jefferson and Ashland counties, and an overview of the State Trust Fund Loan program.

See the November 2024 issue here.

INVESTING IN OUR COUNTIES: A FOCUS ON TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
Of all the services counties provide, transportation services are often the most visible to the public. Whether they are filling potholes or plowing snow in the cold Wisconsin winters, county transportation services ensure our infrastructure remains safe and reliable for families, businesses and tourists.

The October 2024 issue of Wisconsin Counties delves into the needs and challenges of counties in maintaining a viable transportation system. It is the first in a three-part series featuring the top priorities of the WCA 2025-26 legislative agenda, which include transportation, mental health and court funding.

The October issue also spotlights the Discover Wisconsin photo contest and features a legal column on electioneering law and the political expression of county officials and employees.

See the October 2024 issue here.

OUR LAST RESPONDERS: THE IMPORTANT WORK OF COUNTY CORONERS AND MEDICAL EXAMINERS
The September 2024 issue of Wisconsin Counties explores the important work of county coroners and medical examiners – our last responders. The issue provides an overview of what they do as well as features stories from counties proactively working to meet the technological advances of the profession and the demands of an aging population that is becoming more diverse.

The issue also features programs in Iron County that encourage youth to get more involved in their communities, a welcome to the upcoming WCA Annual Conference in La Crosse, and a legal update on the fight against the opioid epidemic.

See the September 2024 issue here.

ELEVATING THE WORKFORCE: FOCUS ON PEOPLE
Wisconsin counties face the same recruitment and retention challenges as many other industries. The August 2024 issue provides an overview of the demographic workforce changes and how the economic development practices have evolved to today’s world of jobs following people.

The issue also highlights the work of three counties to retain and recruit their workers. Other articles include a Legal Issues column on recent federal Fair Labor Standards Act overtime rule changes and a column on a county’s efforts to build opioid and fentanyl awareness.

See the August 2024 issue here.

PUBLIC HEALTH: BRINGING TOGETHER A FOUNDATION OF WELLNESS
Local public health departments in Wisconsin, and across the country, are transitioning into a new era focused on promoting an integrated, effective health system ensuring foundational services for every community. The July issue of Wisconsin Counties explores this transition by looking at today’s essential public health services and the challenges in developing and sustaining the appropriate workforce and infrastructure.

The July issue also features the Milwaukee County Youth Commission and a Legal Issues column on the Wisconsin version of Daniel’s Law to protect judges and their families.

See the July 2024 issue here.

LEARNING THE ROLE OF COUNTY LEADER
Learning how to be a county leader involves an understanding of governance – both the legal aspect as well as how to build relationships. The June 2024 issue of Wisconsin Counties features an excerpt from the WCA’s County Official’s Handbook, which is a comprehensive resource for county officials, as well as feedback and guidance from county leaders across the state and a Legal Issues column that looks at the roles of boards and committees. The issue also includes a look at the impact of the federal PACT Act on county veteran service officers, a housing affordability analysis, and a Sheboygan County housing initiative.

See the June 2024 issue here.

LEVERAGING THE EMERGING AI 
In this issue of Wisconsin Counties, we take a look at the emergence of generative artificial intelligence – what it is, its possibilities for county government and the challenges it poses, including ensuring adequate bandwidth and the rise of cybersecurity threats.

We reflect on the 2023-24 state legislative session and provide a recap of major legislation that was signed into law impacting counties. The May issue also previews the WCA 2024 Annual Conference in September with information about the keynote speaker, a tentative agenda, the spouse and guest tour, housing, and registration.

See the May 2024 issue here.

A BRIGHTER TOMORROW: COMBATING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Counties across Wisconsin are collaboratively using their resources, including litigation settlement funds, to proactively address the opioid epidemic harming communities large and small. The April 2024 issue of Wisconsin Counties takes a look at some of these collaborations.

It also includes an assessment of the state of Wisconsin’s economy by Forward Analytics and information about upcoming WCA events.

See the April 2024 issue here.

EXPLORE COUNTY PARKS AND FORESTS
Take a journey through county parks and forests across Wisconsin to marvel at their splendor and develop a better understanding of the behind-the-scenes work needed to keep them open to the public and maintain their natural assets.

The March 2024 issue also provides highlights from the WCA 2024 Legislative Conference, tips on successfully securing grants, and legal advice on navigating employee 1st Amendment rights.

See the March 2024 issue here.

MODERNIZING WISCONSIN: THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF COUNTY FACILITIES
Counties are responsible for numerous facilities that provide services to the public and places for employees to work. The February 2024 Wisconsin Counties takes a look at modern building trends, particularly for highway departments and correctional facilities, as well as financing, master planning, and how to get projects started.

The Research Room column looks into business migration trends across the nation while the Legal Issues column reviews the concerns of social media use by county supervisors.

See the February 2024 issue here.

UNIQUELY WISCONSIN WINS AN EMMY FOR MARATHON COUNTY VIDEO
The January 2024 issue puts a spotlight on Uniquely Wisconsin’s Emmy award-winning video for Marathon County. It also gives county officials a look into how Wisconsin’s technical colleges are evolving to meet today’s needs, Brown County’s broadband expansion initiatives, La Crosse and Outagamie counties’ efforts to find solutions to the child care crisis, and an interview with DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson, a former county public health official.

The legal column focuses on the impact of the recent lawsuit involving how property is taxed for some land owned by Native Americans.

See the January 2024 issue here.

FROM WASTE STREAMS TO REVENUE STREAMS: MANAGING SOLID WASTE IN WISCONSIN
The December 2023 issue explores the management of solid waste in Wisconsin with articles that discuss the technological advancements in the industry, the importance of educating the public about how to dispose of items properly, the creative uses of closed landfills and more.

The issue features a column from Forward Analytics on the rising age of motherhood in Wisconsin and a legal issues column that outlines county concerns regarding the closure of two-year UW campuses.

See the December 2023 issue here.

WISCONSIN PORTS MAKING WAVES
For millenia, the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River and their tributaries have been used as a means of transportation. The November 2023 Wisconsin Counties explores recent activity at some of the state’s major ports and their importance to the local, regional and state economies.

The issue also features highlights from the 2023 WCA Annual Conference and a legal review of local health officer authority.

See the November 2023 issue here.

EXPLORING THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF WISCONSIN AGRICULTURE
The agriculture industry in Wisconsin is evolving as it adapts to environmental, technological and consumer changes. Learn from leading statewide experts about how the industry is changing and the local policy implications while also taking a fun look at agritourism in the state.

The Research Room column discusses the implications of soaring property values and the Legal Issues column explains the doctrine of “incompatibility of office.”

See the October issue here.

HEALTHY WATERWAYS=HEALTHY WISCONSIN 
From providing clean drinking water to supporting commerce and recreational opportunities, Wisconsin’s abundant water sources serve a multitude of purposes and play a crucial role in our lives. The September 2023 issue of Wisconsin Counties explores the numerous efforts underway across the state to protect and preserve the quality of our waters.

The issue also includes a welcome to the 2023 WCA Annual Conference and an overview of the legal issues surrounding recent payments to counties from a Monsanto lawsuit.

See the September 2023 issue here.

PROTECTING THE VULNERABLE: AGING AND LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES
Through their nursing homes, aging and disability resource centers, adult protective services agencies, and other programs, counties play an integral role in Wisconsin’s continuum of care. This issue shines a light on these important programs and the challenges they face.

The August 2023 issue also celebrates the historical shared revenue reform signed into law in July and features analyses of two important Supreme Court cases.

See the August 2023 issue here.

TAKING FLIGHT: GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORTS CONNECT WISCONSIN TO THE WORLD
From the number of jobs sustained by the aviation industry to the futuristic eVTOLs that will be in the skies soon, this issue focuses on counties’ general aviation airports and the impact they have on the state.

The Legal Issues column discusses the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, Tyler v. Hennepin County, that will impact how counties handle tax-delinquent property. This issue also includes an important notice for the WCA Annual Business Meeting, held in conjunction with the Annual Conference in September.

See the July 2023 issue here.

THE CREATIVE ECONOMY: FOSTERING A PATH TO INNOVATION
The June 2023 issue delves into the mindset and strategies for fostering innovation and the creative economy with examples of successful initiatives throughout the state as well as a closer look at the digital transformation.

The issue also includes a short primer on the looming Social Security crisis and an interesting explanation of why Wisconsin’s western border is “missing.” The legal issues column provides important information about a new law designed to protect federal judges and their families.

See the June 2023 issue here.

COUNTY BOARD OPERATIONS: PURSUING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
In the May 2023 issue, we delve into the important realm of county board governance. Experienced county officials from across the state share their thoughts and advice on what it takes to successfully run county government.

The issue also features an interview with newly appointed Department of Natural Resources Secretary Adam Payne and a look at the status of youth mental health in Wisconsin.

See the May 2023 issue here.

PROTECTING CHILDREN. SAVING FAMILIES
The April 2023 Wisconsin Counties magazine focuses on child welfare with a particular look at the needs of our youth who find themselves, through no fault of their own, interacting with our counties’ child protective services, foster care and court systems.

It also summarizes the recent state Supreme Court decision curtailing the “dark store” theory and includes a call for resolutions for the WCA Annual Business Meeting.

See the April 2023 issue here.

TO PROTECT AND TO SERVE: THE RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND TRAINING NEEDS FOR COUNTY SHERIFFS AND JAILS
The March 2023 issue delves into the recruitment, retention and training needs for county sheriffs and jails along with related law enforcement topics on cybersecurity and combating the fentanyl crisis. The March issue also highlights an initiative helping Wisconsin veterans and a UW program assisting counties.

See the March 2023 issue here.

SHAPING WISCONSIN: THE COUNTY ROLE IN LAND USE DECISION MAKING
The February 2023 magazine digs into the county role in land use decision making. It takes a closer look at the land use planning process, GIS mapping and conservation practices as well as an in-depth legal column on the county’s role in regulating solar projects. The issue also includes columns from the governor, Senate majority leader and Assembly speaker on their priorities for the 2023-24 legislative session.

See the February 2023 issue here.

IMPROVING OUR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEM 
Wisconsin’s mental health response system needs to be improved for those in crisis, law enforcement, the medical community, and taxpayers. The January 2023 issue delves into the complex issues involved and the steps that need to be taken to make the system more effective and efficient. The issue also includes a recap of the 2022 elections and a look at the independent state legislature theory case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

See the January 2023 issue here.