🥳 First Round of Innovation Grant Awards Announced

The League is very proud of our member cities and villages who were awarded or involved in the first round of the Innovation Grants! Thank you for your creative, outside the box thinking and diligent work to partner with neighboring local governments. It is incredible what doors can open when we commit to working together!

Overall, 35 Innovation Grant applications were approved for $14.5 million distributed in this first year. Over the total contract length of all approved applications (three to five years), $72 million is committed. 23 of the 35 approved grants were submitted by cities and villages, and in total, 13 different cities and 22 different villages were involved as a transferor or transferee in one of these projects. Five cities and villages were even part of multiple applications!

In addition to our member municipalities, thank you to all the consultants and service organizations involved in reimagining local services for your commitment to finding a new way forward. The League appreciates the opportunity to innovate that was provided in the 2023-2025 State Budget passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. Finally, thank you to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) for your work in standing up this program.

See the full approved list of Innovation Grants on DOR’s website. While Round 1 has been announced, there are still plenty of opportunities for municipalities to participate! Round 2 of the Innovation Grants will launch in Fall with approximately $228 million still available. Larn more on DOR’s website and start planning now! 

NLC Requests Comments on Federal Grants Proposal

The National League of Cities (NLC), the League’s partner at the federal level to advocate on behalf of municipalities, is requesting that local officials consider submitting comments on proposed changes to federal grant requirements. In May, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released draft changes to federal regulations governing every federal grant, cooperative agreement, and pass-through award. These changes represent the most substantial revisions to federal grants administration since 2013.

NLC notes that several provisions in the proposed rule could “unintentionally limit local governments’ ability to access, administer and effectively use federal funding.” That is why they are asking for your help! NLC is requesting that municipalities submit comments to OMB noting your local experience with federal grants. Their goal is to ensure that, as new requirements strengthen accountability, they do not create barriers that undermine local governments’ ability to serve their communities.

Learn more about the proposed OMB rule and how to submit your comments on NLC’s website. 

Highlight Your Municipality's Story for Travel Wisconsin

Travel Wisconsin, the brand of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, is seeking captivating stories and newsworthy topics that appeal to a national media audience for 2027, and they are asking for your help! Does your municipality have a new attraction opening, an important anniversary, a groundbreaking development, or some other insight that should be highlighted in Travel Wisconsin’s 2027 marketing? Then share it now!

Cities and villages of all sizes throughout Wisconsin have their own unique identity that brings in visitors and turns the local economy. From hometown festivals and community events to world-class attractions and unforgettable destinations, Wisconsin has so much to offer. If you believe your municipality has a story to tell that should be on Travel Wisconsin’s radar for 2027, fill out this short survey (a PDF copy with the questions is available here).

Agency Actions

Review DOR Manufacturing TID Reports

The Department of Revenue (DOR) has posted the Preliminary Manufacturing Tax Incremental District (TID) Report on its website. This report should be reviewed by impacted municipalities to ensure the correct property values are listed for 2026 and to check the report for accuracy against your TID records. Potential discrepancies must be reported to DOR’s Manufacturing and Utility District Offices by Friday, August 7th.  

Recycling Ordinance Updates Required

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding recycling Responsible Units (RUs) of a requirement to adopt a new recycling ordinance that incorporates revisions to the state’s recycling rules that were published last year. Municipalities that are not part of a countywide system are typically a RU, and ordinance adoption is required to maintain an effective recycling program.

The DNR has a template ordinance containing the required code language on its website. A plain language summary of the recent changes to these ordinances is also available online. DNR staff are available to review draft ordinances prior to passage to ensure compliance with new requirements. Requests for review of draft ordinances should be sent to DNRRecycling@wisconsin.gov. 

2027 Urban Forestry Grants Announced

The DNR announced that the 2027 Urban Forestry Grant Program is now accepting applications. Applicants may receive up to $25,000 for Regular Urban Forestry Grants to fund projects that conserve, protect, expand, or improve urban forests or a community’s capacity to manage its trees. Startup Urban Forestry grants of up to $5,000 are also available for communities to start or restart a forestry program.

Recipients must provide a match that is at least equal to the grant award. Applications are due by Thursday, October 1st. More information on the Urban Forestry Grant Program is available on the DNR’s website. 

WEDC Community Programs Webinar

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) will host a webinar on Tuesday, August 11th from 12pm to 1pm titled “Introduction to WEDC Community Programs.” Municipalities have effectively utilized WEDC grants to advance local revitalization and development projects, but not all municipalities are aware of these important opportunities. Whether these programs are entirely new to you or if you are just looking for a refresher, this webinar could be a great learning opportunity. Learn more and register for this webinar here. 

Reminder of the Housing Grant Program

As mentioned in the June 15th edition of the Wheeler Report Bulletin, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Foundation is accepting applications for the 2026 Housing Grant Program. $2 million is available to fund physical improvements to emergency shelters and transitional residences across the state. Municipalities may apply for up to $50,000 through Friday, July 31st. For more information, visit WHEDA’s website.

Broadband Grants Partnership Webinar

As mentioned in the June 1st edition of the Legislative Bulletin, the Public Service Commission (PSC) is accepting applications for the Broadband Expansion Grant Program until Monday, July 27th. Municipalities are eligible to apply if the proposal is submitted in partnership with a telecommunications utility or other eligible private organization.

The University of Wisconsin (UW) Extension hosted a webinar last week to review the basics of this grant program and provide tips for forming a good public-private partnership, including tools to formalize and document those partnerships. The webinar recording and slides will be posted on the UW Extension website for review on demand. 

City, Village, and Town Taxes Bulletin

DOR has posted the 2025 local Taxes Bulletin to its website. This document provides a summary of the 2025 general property full values (i.e., equalized values), property taxes, and tax rates for each city, village, and town in the state. The Bulletin may be found here. 

Federal Forecast

Congress Passes Housing Legislation

Just as we have seen a focus on housing development in the Wisconsin State Capitol, representatives in the U.S. Capitol have also taken an interest in housing.

Two weeks ago, the U.S. Congress passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on a broad, bipartisan vote of 85-5 in the Senate and 358-32 in the House. The National League of Cities, the League’s partner organization responsible for federal advocacy, applauded the bill’s passage and noted its focus on boosting supply and cutting barriers towards affordable housing across the country.

Among the provisions in this legislation are elements that recognize the critical role of local governments in addressing the nation’s housing needs. This includes updates to Community Development Block Grants and the HOME Investment Partnership Program. The legislation also creates a program to award grants to local governments to plan and implement a boost in the affordable housing supply.

The President is yet to act on this legislation, but he has until Thursday, July 9th to either sign or veto this legislation. No action by the President will result in the legislation becoming law. A section-by-section analysis of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is available here. A TIME Magazine article on the bill’s passage may be read here.