Municipal law is a priority with our firm. We serve as general counsel for a number of municipalities and municipal utilities, and also serve as special counsel for municipalities on various environmental and energy issues. Areas of practice include:

      Land Use Planning and Zoning.  We have worked on innovative land use techniques and Smart Growth plans. We have drafted zoning codes, land division codes and related ordinances including land use reviews and agreements, plat and CSM review, development agreements and ordinance updates. We understand the commercial and residential development process from planning to implementation to completion.

      Infrastructure and Related Fees for Service.  We understand the expense of maintaining infrastructure, and have worked with communities to develop maintenance and cost recovery strategies. We have designed impact fees, connection fees and other fees for service.

      Municipal Wastewater Issues.  We have worked with numerous sanitary districts and wastewater commissions. We serve as counsel for the Municipal Environmental Group-Wastewater Division — nearly 90 communities statewide. We represent MEG in rulemaking and legislative forums and provide services for member communities.

We also serve as special counsel for individual communities on wastewater contracts, wastewater discharge permits, facilities planning, and enforcement. We have established commissions, developed sewer use ordinances, created inter-municipal agreements, sought and obtained project financing and worked through state regulatory issues. We have been involved in numerous issues associated with utility rights-of-way.

      Municipal Water Issues.  We have served as special counsel to several communities on water supply issues. These projects have included negotiations between a Village and a City for a municipal water supply for the Village; the defense of a municipal high capacity well challenge by a lake district, PSC approval of water rates, and protection of municipal wells from contamination sources.

      Municipal Telecommunication Issues.  We have undertaken activities involving telecommunication issues such as internet provider services with several communities including the first municipal CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier) license.

      Municipal Electric Utility Issues.  We have served as counsel to three communities who were faced with power plant expansions in their communities. Despite the preemption provisions in the CPCN statutes, we negotiated significant regulatory and financial packages for these communities that involved significant compensation from the utility to the community. In addition, we have negotiated several utility-related matters between utilities and communities with existing power plants. Finally, we also serve as special counsel to Wisconsin Public Power Inc., an association of over 37 communities state-wide that produce and/or purchase power cooperatively.

      Municipal Landfill and Contaminated Land Issues.  We have worked with counties on landfill siting issues, and numerous communities on resolving issues associated with the development of contaminated properties.

Call us today at (608) 246-8500 or contact us online to discuss your legal options.