Best practices for ARPA plus TIF and Financing and so much more!

ARPA & Financing/Finances

The League's July 2021 E-Muni

Subscribe now to the League's New Cybersecurity Newsletter. One monthly in-depth issue and alerts as needed. Read the Inaugural Issue.

Questions or suggestions? Contact the League's Robin Powers at email.

The American Rescue Plan Act: Pitfalls and Best Practices

Brad Elmer, Managing Director, Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors

July, The Municipality, pg. 4

This article examines best practices and potential pitfalls associated with receiving, spending, and tracking the American Rescue Plan funding. Read the magazine online.

Funding Sewer and Water Projects with ARPA $

Ryan T. Amtmann, P.E., Vice President, Ruekert & Mielke, Inc.

July, The Municipality, pg. 7

We only had room for 15 project ideas in the magazine. Read the full list of 25 project ideas here.

Bonus article: "Making the Most of ARPA" by Sharon Eveland, City Administrator, Clintonville.

Updated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Resources on the League's website here include:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Treasury General FAQ for all Local Governments (PDF) July 19, 2021

(Includes all previous FAQs)

Of NOTE: Treasury issued Frequently Asked Question clarifying that recipients may use funds to pay for vaccine incentive programs (e.g., cash or in-kind transfers, lottery programs, or other incentives for individuals who get vaccinated).

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The General ARPA page on our website includes:

Resources on Use of ARPA Funds

Resources and Contact Information to Support Local Government Utilization of ARPA Funds UW-Extension at UW-Madison

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ARPA Plans Google Spreadsheet - see what other municipalities have planned and share your own plans.

Chief Executive's Workshop Details and Registration.

Registration is limited.

Thanks to our Sponsors! League Mutual & MPIC

TID Closure: Options and What to Consider

Todd Taves, Senior Municipal Advisor and Principal, Ehlers

July, The Municipality, pg. 12

Information on the three ways in which a TID may close and what to consider when making this decision. Also sidebars on the Affordable Housing Extensions and an explanation of how Eau Claire recently prevailed in court.

This is an article you will want to refer to often. Read the article (PDF).

Saving $$$

July, The Municipality, pg. 9

Sun Prairie’s Cooperative Purchasing

Kristin Vander Kooi, Finance Director, Sun Prairie

Learn more about NASPO ValuePoint.

Waukesha’s Community Buy-In

Denise Vandenbush-Kohlmann,

Financial Projects Manager, Waukesha

Learn more about SignUpGenius (Note that the City of Waukesha uses the Platinum version of the platform.)

Whatever Happened to Dark Store Legislation?

Curt Witynski, Deputy Executive Director, League of Wisconsin Municipalities

July, The Municipality, pg. 16

Officials: Court decision bolsters dark store fight

Read the latest news article on Dark Store in the courts on gmtoday.com

From Concrete Channel to Community Asset

July, The Municipality, pg. 19

By GRAEF

It's a real transformation! Read the article in the magazine online (see page 19.)

Wisconsin Policy Forum Salute to Local Government Awards

7 Different Categories - Nominate a project/someone Great Today

Deadline is September 3, 2021.

Get the details.

A Time for De-escalation

Eric Giordano, PhD, Executive Director, Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service, University of Wisconsin System

July, The Municipality, pg. 26

It is important to distinguish between the short-term goals of de-escalation in relation to longer-term goals of conflict resolution. De-escalation is primarily focused on removing us from the precipice of an acute conflict; if done effectively, it can lay the groundwork for a deeper conflict resolution process designed to rebuild trust, restore relationships, and prevent future conflict. Read the article. (PDF)

Fun note: This article will be reprinted in the Wisconsin Association of School Boards and the South Dakota Municipal League magazines.

Join us October 12th for a Dispute Resolution Workshop offered as one of our 123rd Annual Pre-Conference Bonus sessions via Zoom. Eric Giordano will provide strategies for you to consider when facing conflicts.

Details and Registration #LeagueWI2021

Equal Rights Milestone

Christine Lidbury, Executive Director, Wisconsin Women’s Council

July, The Municipality, pg. 22

Did you know that July 2021 marks the Centennial of women in Wisconsin gaining the right to hold any elected office?

For the full video featuring women elected officials from across the state, and additional resources, visit the Wisconsin Women's Council.

New Wisconsin ADA Coordinators Association

Rebecca Rabatin, ADA Coordinator, City of Milwaukee

July, The Municipality, pg. 25

Interested in learning more? Contact Rebecca Rabatin at email.

The 31st Anniversary of the ADA was July 26. Click here to share a video from the League's Facebook page to your own.

The NEW Basic Financial Administration for Wisconsin Local Governments provides you with practical day-to-day instructions on managing local government finance. This new handbook was a joint effort by the League, the Wisconsin Towns Association, the Local Government Education Program of the University of Wisconsin Extension and the Wisconsin Dept. of Revenue. Order your copy.

Want to learn more? Three of the professionals who literally helped write the book on "Basic Financial Administration" will be presenting at the League's 123rd Annual Conference in Green Bay. Details and Registration. #LeagueWI2021

Legal Articles

Ethics and Conflicts of Interest

Part 2: Private Interest in Public Contracts*

Claire Silverman, Legal Counsel, League of Wisconsin Municipalities

July, The Municipality, pg. 283

Pecuniary Interest 395 Legal comment explains Wis. Stat. § 946.13, a strict liability, felony criminal statute prohibiting, with limited exceptions, public officials and employees from having a private pecuniary interest in public contracts where they are authorized or required to participate in the making of the contract. Read the article. (PDF)