To make sure you receive future emails,
please add coordinator@wisclerks.org to your address book or safe list.

           
March 2017 WMCA E-News

Monthly E-Newsletter for WMCA Members

Issue 3, Volume 2017


 For the best display of this E-Newsletter, click here for the web version
                       
Inside This Issue 

                                                  

Check Out These Links


 DISTRICT MEETINGS COMING UP

District 4 - May 9 - North Freedom Community Center, North Freedom, WI.

Watch your email for news on your District's Spring Meeting, coming soon.

**REMEMBER:  You may attend any District meeting that is of interest for you.  It does not have to be in your district.
                                               


BOARD OF REVIEW CLASSES
We have started setting Board of Review Certification Classes for 2017.  Watch the Board of Review page on the WMCA website for your options.  More will be posted.


 
WMCA BENEFITS
Are you sure you are taking advantage of all of your WMCA benefits?  Click here to go to the list, click on the titles for more information.


WMCA is on Facebook
            Facebook_logo 

Search for Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association and like us.
 arma_mke_color_logo-e1473386986675

 
Click to see the latest
Seminar Announcement from ARMA.


Would You Like a Hawaiian Vacation?

The International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) has an educational foundation (IIMC Foundation) that runs fundraisers to generate fund for scholarships for their education programs.  One of the most popular fundraisers is their Hawaiian Trip.  Click here for a flyer with full information of how to enter.

You do not need to be a member and you do not have to be present to win.









About Us

THE WMCA MISSION:
To be the premier source for the personal empowerment of municipal clerks in Wisconsin through education, professional development, and the promotion of excellence.

Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Assoc.

Website:  wisclerks.org

Sm Logo

Chris Biking
March Message from 

President Chris Astrella

Happy Spring! 
Finally, we’ve made it through winter, we’ve turned our clocks ahead, and baseball is just around the corner.  I’m looking forward to sitting outside without lots of layers on and soaking up some sun! 

I hope each of you is gearing up for the April Election and preparing for a nice break from them too; we’ve all certainly earned it!  The Association’s Facebook page has been going very well, we have almost 300 likes and the interaction that’s been taking place has been great.  I’ve shared a couple of pictures from my travels, and some of the people I’ve met, but we’ve also had District meetings, deadlines, and information for everyone else to know too.  If you haven’t liked it yet, check it out! 

Recently I attended the Minnesota Clerks Conference and found it to be lots of fun with some great sessions.  Dan, the outgoing President and Janet, the incoming President made me feel right at home with our colleagues to the west.  Next month I’ll be attending the Iowa clerk’s conference in Des Moines; and I’m looking forward to similar experience. 

I also attended a WEC meeting during the week of March 6th to remind them we (the Clerks) support them and the addition of more staff to the WEC.  I will be contacting the leaders of both parties in the legislature to let them know just how important a full staff at the WEC is.  Do not hesitate to let your elected state representatives know how important this is for you and how any cuts would harm your municipality. 

We have heard about more members retiring.  These retirees have been a member of WMCA for 10 years or more.  Congratulations to:

Ruth Allis, Clerk, Town of Winchester, Apr-17
Jane Carlson, Clerk, Town of Brookfield, 3/3/2017
Jeanne Gostomski, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, City of Adams, Spring 2017
Lois Havenor, Clerk/Treasurer, Village of Eleva, hoping for 6/1/17

Remember if you, or someone you know is retiring from the profession; let us know so we can recognize them! 

I was lucky enough to get my bike out at the end of February, so I thought I’d share it with all of you.  It’s such an honor to represent all of you whether I’m on my bike, at a conference, attending a WEC meeting, or just running errands around town.  Thank you!  I hope we all have a GREAT election, and get ready for some baseball!  Go Yankees!!!!!

  Astrella First Name
Chris Astrella WCPC
WMCA 2016-17 President

 
Training Header2


Since WMCA is going to “Hit it Out of the Park for Education” this August, we felt  we should have a
Spring Training Camp in Northern Wisconsin this May.

Spring Training Camp at The Waters of Minocqua is a great place for “rookie” clerks to practice the basics and the seasoned clerks to refresh their skills with the latest in new laws and information.

The initial invitation went out to Districts 1, 2, 7, and 8, but we have not reached capacity yet.  Therefore, all members across the state are now invited to attend until we reach our 200 attendee limit.

Whether you are a new clerk or have been on the job for years, you can get the latest information available on many of the basic and  statutory responsibilities you have in your municipality.

Are you confident about most aspects of your job but have some questions about one or two topics?  You can pick just the classes you need from the ala carte list.

Would you love to attend both days but can only get away from work one day or one morning or one afternoon?  That works!  Choose from the ala carte menu and attend when you can.

CLICK HERE to read more about the Training Camp and register.


Need Financial Help to Attend Spring Training?

Apply for a WCEF Scholarship.  WCEF is the Wisconsin Clerks Education Fund.  The WCEF Committee is committed to growing the fund each year through raffles and donations and then distributing the money to our members in the form of conference/ training scholarships.

The WCEF is pleased to announce that they are accepting applications for scholarships to attend the two-day Northern Wisconsin Spring Training Camp. 

You can find the WCEF Northern Training Scholarship form on the WMCA website

Deadline to apply is April 5, 2017, so don't delay-apply today.



WEC Shares Joint Finance Committee Public Hearing Dates

President Astrella was asked by Mike Haas, Administrator of the Elections Division of the WEC, to share the Joint Finance Committee public hearing dates.  The public hearings are happening across Wisconsin next month to solicit input on the state budget; now would be an excellent time to let the Committee members know how you feel.  The dates and locations are as follows:

April 3 at UW-Platteville, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
State Fair Park in West Allis, April 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 
Berlin High School, April 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 
Spooner High School, April 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 
Ellsworth High School, April 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 
Marinette High School, April 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. 

For the notice for the hearings on April 3-7 click here. 

 
For the notice for the hearings on April 18-21 click here.


A couple of things to note, these hearings are open to citizens of Wisconsin.  If you attend a meeting or write a legislator you are representing yourself and your municipality, not the WMCA.  Remind these legislators how the cuts to the WEC are going to affect you.  Explain to them why and how it will affect you and your office…whether you’re a one person office or you supervise a staff of 20.  If we can help the WEC gain more funding (which in turn would give them more positions to fill) it would benefit everyone from the residents we serve to those of us who administer elections. 

Finally, it’s SUPER important not only to attend these legislative meetings, but to contact your own legislators and explain to them how the state budget would affect you at work.  If there is enough input from legislators that are not on the Joint Finance Committee, it can influence what the Committee decides.  Contact your legislators and talk to them about the impacts you would feel.  If you can’t visit your legislator, a well-crafted email, an old-fashioned letter, or a phone call will work as well!  They need to hear from us, and understand what kind of impacts the choices they make have and how those impacts will affect their constituents.

If you have anything you’d like to send past a second set of eyes, or want to bounce some ideas or talking points off anyone, I’m happy to help!  If you need a proofreader, I can do that too J  Thanks for your input everyone, I know the WEC appreciates any help we can give them!


UW-Green Bay Pre-Conference Course

MTAW - The Osthoff Resort - Elkhart Lake

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

1:00-2:30 pm

STRATEGIC FINANCIAL PLANNING:  Aligning Resources with Desired Outcomes

Yogi Berra once said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll probably end up somewhere else.” This is exactly what will happen to your municipality if you don’t do strategic financial planning and align your resources with your desired outcomes. In this course will you learn forecasting techniques vs. budgeting, how to identify the challenges, the use of financial projections as a communication tool, and communicating financial strategies to stakeholders.

Instructor: Scot Ecker, Forecast5 Analytics, Inc.
Practitioner: TBD

 2:30-2:45 pm:  Break

 2:45-4:30 pm

HOT TOPICS IN CASH MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENTS
What is the new normal in cash and investment management? In this interactive session, banking and investment professionals will review trends in treasury management, bank pricing and RFPs and investing in a rising rate environment. Bring your questions for the experts!

Instructors: Sara Schnoor, PMA Financial Network; Andrew Smith, US Bank NA;

Additional speaker: TBD

 Cost:  $89

 CLICK HERE To REGISTER.



WMCAfeather-size15The Governor has Signed Clerks Week Proclamation

"Now, therefore, I, Scott Walker, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, do hereby proclaim May 7-13, 2017 as MUNICIPAL CLERKS APPRECIATION WEEK."
                                                
Click here to view the full Proclamation from the Governor. 

Have you ever considered getting your Council or Board to also do a proclamation for Clerks Week.  Click here for a sample proclamation you can use. 

 
DOR Further Explanation of Bill Regarding Restaurant Definition

From President Astrella:  Last Week Thomas Ourada from the Department of Revenue sent us an email asking clerks to support a specific bill (SB 89/AB 140).  This DOR “Housekeeping Bill” would make many smaller changes to various things the DOR administers (lottery, liquor licensing, etc.).  In my opinion, this wasn’t explained very well in the initial email sent out, so I’m attaching Tom’s follow up and want to (briefly) share some thoughts with you on it as well.  Parts of this bill you may like, and others you may not.  Before you register in support or against this bill in total, make sure you review all the proposed changes and take into account what they may mean for you.  While this bill isn’t a large one, it has 5 changes it will make, and I want each of you to be sure what you are supporting (or not!).  Thanks again everyone, and here is Tom’s follow up:

From Tom Ourada:  I appreciate the concern regarding taking a position on the "DOR Housekeeping Bill".  This legislation includes a number of minor technical corrections to state law to address provisions like the chapter 125 definition of restaurant.  You will recall that 2015 Wisconsin Act 55 (the 2015-2017 State Budget) inadvertently, redefined restaurant as part of the transfer of restaurant regulation and inspections from the Department of Health Services (DHS) to the Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).  In March, 2016, DOR and DATCP sent the attached memo to your association to notify clerks that the change to the definition of restaurant was done "solely to accommodate the transfer of restaurant licensing and inspection to DATCP". 

The change took effect on July 1, 2016, so alcohol beverage license applications (original or renewal) submitted before July 1, 2016 were not affected by the change, but applications submitted after that date are subject to the new definition, limiting the ability of municipalities to issue licenses to some applicants, as described below.

Some clerks expressed concerns to the Department of Revenue that defining a restaurant as any business room or place at which the predominant activity is the preparation, service or sale of meals to the general public, limits their ability to issue "Class C"(wine) licenses to food service establishments, like movie theaters, stadium concession areas, skating rinks, painting studios, coffee shops and other places that are not predominantly serving meals.  The Department seeks to restore the definition of restaurant to the definition that existed prior to Act 55, thereby preserving the ability of municipalities to continue to issue "Class C" licenses to such premises, if the municipality chooses to.

At the time of the passage of Act 55, DOR committed to seeking corrective legislation as soon as possible in the 2017 legislative session.  SB 89/AB 140 is our attempt to restore the definition of restaurant to the definition that existed prior to Act 55. The remaining provisions of the Housekeeping bill are considered minor technical changes, not substantive policy changes.
Any further questions, you can contact Tom Ourada,
Revenue Tax Specialist, (608) 266-8875 or
thomas.ourada@wisconsin.gov


Miller E-Newsletter Ad Mar 2016
Click here to go to the Miller & Associates website.
Our Associate members support the WMCA by purchasing ad space in our E-Newsletters and on our website.  Remember the next time you need to buy new equipment or services, see what the WMCA Associates have to offer.                  
[Contact the WMCA Office for details for posting your ad here.]         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 
 

 


Cvent - Web-based Software Solutions