University of Wisconsin - Extension

MADISON, WIS.--The University of Wisconsin-Extension Local Government Center has received the 2008 Wisconsin Counties Association’s “Friend in County Government Award” for its longstanding strong partnership with counties and local units of government in the state.

This is the highest honor given by the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) to an individual or group for outstanding service to the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) and counties statewide. Staff members of UW-Extension’s Local Government Center were honored recently at the WCA Annual Conference in Sauk County, where close to 1,000 county officials from around the state were in attendance.

“The UW-Extension Local Government Center has been an invaluable resource for counties and other local governments in Wisconsin and a longtime partner of our association,” said WCA Executive Director Mark D. O’Connell. “In a time when the public is demanding greater efficiency in government, the Local Government Center is providing counties with the tools to maximize their resources. We greatly value our relationship and are proud to present them with this award.”

The Local Government Center works in partnership with county UW-Extension offices, the Wisconsin Counties Association, the Wisconsin Towns Association and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, where its staff provides education and information to Wisconsin local governments.

A special focus of the Center is educating elected or appointed officials--and those who aspire to hold office--about Wisconsin’s local government structures, laws and procedures.

“Unsolicited accolades are the best kind,” said Chuck Law, director of the Local Government Center. “This recognition came as a complete surprise to us. Presenting the award to the entire Center without emphasizing the work of one particular specialist over another confirms the strength of our working relationships in providing support to Wisconsin’s county governments. “

The UW-Extension Local Government Center is the 16th recipient of the “Friend in County Government” award.

To learn more about the Local Government Center and its work, visit http://lgc.uwex.edu/.