The Municipality Magazine

The League's The Municipality magazine is published monthly and circulates to almost 10,000 local elected officials, staff and partners in Wisconsin. We focus on issues that are of interest to Wisconsin's cities and villages and will help to move Wisconsin forward.

If you are a local official or staff of a League member municipality and are not receiving the magazine please email the League and we will add you to the subscription list.

If you would like to subscribe please use the online order form. The subscription rate is $25 annually. 

Please send any transitions, changes, corrections and additions to Robin Powers at email or submit them through our Transitions FormNOTE: We cannot publish transitions in all cases. Please review the Transitions Guidelines

We want to showcase you! Share your job duties and highlights of your job with us through our Member Spotlight Form and maybe you will be in our next magazine! 

League_Sept_2023_Cover

September 2023

Innovation comes from people. Collaboration is between people. When people come together to brainstorm, plan and execute, things get done. This issue, we celebrate the amazing ideas and projects that start with the people who work for and in our state. Let's celebrate the ideas that come alive because of the people who put their hearts into them! 

8 23 Communications Cover

August 2023

Communication is a very important part of our every day lives. Check out some of the things other cities are doing to communicate with their communities. Also, learn about some great services and organizations to help communicate. On the cover and spotlights, we highlight some cities and villages communication professionals. 


7 23 July Cover

July 2023

In this July edition, we discuss budgets and finance within local government. We also give a nod to the penny in reference to the Shared Revenue bill that was passed in June 2023. 

June Cover

June 2023

June welcomes the newly elected officials! This guide has some great tips and information for anyone taking on a new role in local government. Keep this guide by your side for future references! 

5 23 Clerks Magazine Cover

May 2023

For May, we celebrate and learn more about the duties of the municipal clerk. We also share information on how AI can effect all of our jobs as technology continually grows.  

League_April_2023_Final Cover

April 2023

This April we take the opportunity to appreciate all government workers with a focus on human resources. From elections, recruiting and every day tasks, we thank our members for the many hats they wear to help our communities thrive. 

March Magazine Cover Screenshot 2023

March 2023

Take a look as we take a deep dive into all things Department of Public Works. Learn a little about new safety options for plow trucks in the winter along with what the men and women within the department have to share about their jobs! 

2 23 Law Enforcement Cover The Municipality

February 2023

We salute our officers and first responders. Check out our new section asking employees questions about their jobs. Learn more about our men and women in blue in this February issue. 

1 23 Cover The Municipality Advocate

January 2023

You are your community's best advocate! The system for funding local government in Wisconsin is broken and this is your time to share the need to fund critical local services differently and reset the partnership with the state. 

12 22 Wintery downtown scene on the cover of The Municipality

December 2022 

It is snow season and with it, snowplowing season in Wisconsin. Elizabeth Yanke dubs it snowfighting in her article and sometimes it definitely feels like that. Toni takes on the good fight in her article on advocacy and we also highlight broadband and tools for resilient communities.  

11 22 Grateful Cover The Municipality Curt and Gail photo album

November 2022

We are grateful for you and your work to keep your community thriving. The League is especially thankful and excited to welcome Zach Vruwink to the staff as the New Deputy Director. Read the article and note that his responsibilities are significantly different from those of Curt Witynski, his predecessor with the same title. Speaking of Curt, we say farewell to Curt and Gail Sum, the League's Communications Director.  We also celebrate the recipients of the Wisconsin Policy Forum's Salute to Local Government Awards.   

10 22 Join Us La Crosse Cover The Municipality

October 2022 

We are looking forward to welcoming you to our 124th Annual Conference October 19-21 in La Crosse.  But we are also turning our focus to the upcoming legislative session and have launched the "Critical Local Funding" campaign. We need your help. Please tell your community's story. What challenges do you face funding priorities like police, fire and EMS?  Learn more on our website here.  

9 22 Representative Democracy COVER Autumn leaf in shape of Wis. being held up by someone.

September 2022

The United States is a representative democracy at the Federal, State and Local level of government. This means that our government is elected by citizens. Here, citizens vote for their government officials. These officials represent the citizens' ideas and concerns in government. Voting is one way to participate in our democracy.

8 22 The Municipality Cover State Local Partnership w/torn cover Capitol & Main St.

August 2022

Funding for police, fire, EMS and other local government services needs reform. Local government is too dependent on property taxes to the detriment of homeowners and small businesses. The system is broken.  

7 22 Finance and Budgeting mag cover with small American Flags along curb

July 2022

The Municipal Budget season starts in earnest at the end of the summer, so in preparation, The Municipality provides resources to help you budget.  From an article on the impact of inflation on municipal budgets, to the budget cycle and comprehensive plan tips, this issue is your go to resource for all things budgeting and finance.