The town meeting, where voters set the property tax levy, decide compensation for town offices, and adopt plans for the election of the town board, is one of the few remaining examples of direct democracy in the U.S. As a result, town finances often differ from those of cities and villages. Towns typically spend and borrow less per resident than other municipalities and draw their revenues from a smaller pool of resources.
Wisconsin residents live in one of three municipal types: cities, villages, or towns. While all states have cities or villages, town government is less common.
Brought to Wisconsin by New Englanders in the early 1800s, town government has a long history here. However, Wisconsin is one of only 20 states, mostly in New England and the Midwest, with towns.
As Wisconsin towns incorporate as new cities or villages, or are annexed by them, their numbers decline. Census figures show that Wisconsin had 1,255 towns in 2012, down from 1,265 10 years ago, and from 1,281 in 1950.
Town residents may incorporate to achieve greater home rule, more flexibility to organize and govern as they wish, or to prevent annexation by surrounding municipalities.
But town government has unique benefits that remain appealing. The town meeting, where voters set the property tax levy, decide compensation for town offices, and adopt methods for the election of the town board, is one of the few remaining examples of direct democracy in the U.S. As a result, town finances often differ from those of cities and villages.
Towns typically spend and borrow less per resident than other municipalities and draw their revenues from a smaller pool of resources.