The Municipality

The Municipality is the official monthly publication of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, serving as the primary resource for elected officials, administrators, and staff across Wisconsin's cities and villages. Each issue combines in-depth feature stories, expert legal guidance, policy research, and practical how-to content tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of local government. Regular columns cover employment law, municipal finance, workplace safety, technology, and legislative updates, while guest contributions from universities, state agencies, and civic organizations provide outside perspective on emerging issues. Together, the magazine's mix of inspiration, analysis, and actionable guidance helps Wisconsin's municipal community stay informed, connected, and equipped to serve their residents well.

Browse full issues of The Municipality by clicking the cover image or explore individual articles on specific topics. Use the categories and search tools to quickly find the content most relevant to your community.

League President Message

The Executive Message is the monthly leadership column written by the League’s Executive Director that sets the tone for each issue of The Municipality. It provides high-level insight on current municipal challenges and frames key topics for readers.

Wisconsin Policy Forum

Wisconsin Policy Forum is the state's leading nonpartisan resource for state and local government research and civic education. Each article presents data-driven findings on economic conditions, workforce trends, and regional competitiveness relevant to Wisconsin municipalities. These monthly columns translate complex economic and policy analysis into accessible insights that help local leaders understand the broader forces shaping their communities and inform smarter decision-making at the municipal level.

On League Street

On League Street is the League's internal update column, written by the Chief Operating Officer, that recaps recent organizational accomplishments and previews upcoming programs, tools, and initiatives the League is developing for its members.

Clerk's Corner

Clerk's Corner is a dedicated column written for and about municipal clerks, addressing election administration, best practices, and the collaborative networks that make local government operations run smoothly.

For the Good of the Order

For the Good of the Order is a recurring legal guidance piece written by League legal staff that explains specific procedural or statutory topics in plain language, helping governing bodies understand and correctly apply rules of order and municipal law.

Legal FAQs

Legal FAQs is a recurring section featuring plain-language answers to common municipal legal questions, written by League staff attorneys and grounded in Wisconsin statutes and case law. Each entry follows a consistent Q&A format organized by topic category, covering areas such as ethics, appointments, employment, and public records.

Employment Law Fundamentals

Employment Law Fundamentals is a recurring column addressing employment law topics relevant to Wisconsin municipalities. Each installment translates complex legal requirements into practical guidance for local officials and HR decision-makers, drawing on Wisconsin statutes, federal law, and case law to help municipalities navigate compliance and structure sound employment policies.