Florence Facts: Did You Know. . .?
Information Sorted by Category
The Town of Florence is proud to have open, transparent government. It means that people can clearly see what the Town is doing, why it is doing it, and how decisions are made. Open and transparent means that information is not hidden, decisions are made at meetings open to the public, and questions and answers can be shared from the Board with the community. The ultimate goal is that people can see and understand the decisions that are made, how to ask questions, and share information.
The articles and information on this page are the same as the original Florence Facts page with one exception and that is this page has articles grouped by topic. The goal in sorting them by topic is to help everyone navigate this information when they are looking for a specific topic.
The articles and information on this page are the same as the original Florence Facts page with one exception and that is this page has articles grouped by topic. The goal in sorting them by topic is to help everyone navigate this information when they are looking for a specific topic.
Town of Florence Information
Florence County, Towns & Their Boards
Article Summary: Florence County has eight townships but only four ZIP codes, so fire number signs are the best way to confirm a property’s township. Each township has its own three‑member Town Board, elected every odd‑numbered April. The County Board has twelve districts, with elections every even‑numbered April. Six county supervisors represent parts of the Town of Florence. As of February 16, 2026, the county has 3,314 registered voters.
Click here to read the full version of:Florence County, Towns & Their Boards (02-19-26)
Click here to read the full version of:Florence County, Towns & Their Boards (02-19-26)
Town Board Meetings
Article Summary: The Town of Florence Board meets twice a month, with agendas posted at least 24 hours in advance at three public locations and on the Town website. Agendas list all discussion and action items, along with public comment time. Residents can share questions or request future agenda items by contacting board members, emailing the Town Office, or speaking during Communication from the Floor. The Clerk records official meeting minutes, which are approved at the next meeting and posted online.
Click here to read the full version of:Town Board Meetings (02-26-26)
Click here to read the full version of:Town Board Meetings (02-26-26)
Town of Florence Office
The Town of Florence Office, located in the Community Center at 749 Central Ave, is the main contact point for voting, garbage and recycling needs, road questions, meeting postings, records, and general assistance. Many community requests begin here, and the Office helps connect residents with the right departments.
The Town maintains this website with information on roads, elections, meetings, minutes, agendas, taxes, and services. You can also sign up for free text and email alerts. If you can’t find an answer online, the Town Office is available by phone or email to help.
Click here to read the full version of:Town of Florence Office (03-05-26)
Click here to read the full version of:Town of Florence Office (03-05-26)
The Annual Town Meeting
Article Summary: The Town of Florence holds its Annual Meeting every April, as required by Wisconsin Statute 60.11. It is usually on the 3rd Tuesday, and electors may adjust the date or location following statutory rules. The only required business is presenting the Town’s audited financial statement, but electors can also bring up additional items at the start of the meeting.
The Annual Meeting is unique to towns and allows qualified electors to vote directly on certain matters. Elector powers fall into three categories: 1-Direct Powers (binding decisions), 2-Directives (board must act), 3-Authorizations (permission for the board to act)
Meeting details, minutes, and financial reports are available on the Meetings page of this website.
Click here to read the full version of:The Annual Town Meeting (04-16-26)
Click here to read the full version of:The Annual Town Meeting (04-16-26)
Who Do I Call?
Article Summary: For emergencies, call 911.
For power outages, call your utility.
For permits (driveways, building, septic), contact Florence County Zoning.
For digging, call Diggers Hotline.
For assessments, call R&R Assessing Services.
For garbage or recycling bins, contact the Town Office or County Zoning.
For stray dogs, call the Town Dog Warden.
For voting, contact the Town Office, MyVoteWI, or register at the polls.
For non‑emergency Town concerns, reach out to the Town Office, Town Chairman, or Town Board Supervisors (listed on the Town website).
Click here to read the full version of:Who Do I Call? (04-23-26)
Click here to read the full version of:Who Do I Call? (04-23-26)
Elections & Voting
Polling Places & Elections
Article Summary: Voting is a key civic duty governed by Wisconsin Statutes. Florence County has eight townships, each with its own polling place, and the Town of Florence is divided into seven wards that determine ballots only during Spring Elections in even‑numbered years when County Supervisor races appear. Polls statewide are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Wisconsin law outlines specific polling place requirements. In 2026, Wisconsin will hold a Spring Election, Partisan Primary, and General Election. Residents can sign up for the Town of Florence’s Constant Contact system to receive election reminders.
Click here to read the full version of:Polling Places & Elections (03-12-26)
Click here to read the full version of:Polling Places & Elections (03-12-26)
Electors vs Voters & Voter Registration
Article Summary: Wisconsin distinguishes electors (eligible but not registered) from voters (registered electors). Electors can vote at Town Meetings, but only qualified electors—U.S. citizens 18+ who have lived in their ward for 28 days—may vote in all elections. State law lists disqualifications such as felony sentences, certain convictions, guardianship rulings, or wagering on elections.
All voters must complete the EL‑131 registration form, certify their eligibility, and provide proof of residence. Wisconsin allows voting for permanent overseas voters and military electors under specific rules. Residents can register online, by mail, or in person, with deadlines leading up to Election Day.
Click here to read the full version of:Electors vs Voters & Voter Registration (03-19-26)
Click here to read the full version of:Electors vs Voters & Voter Registration (03-19-26)
Voting Absentee
Article Summary: Wisconsin voters can cast a ballot at the polls on Election Day or by absentee ballot. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot, but it must be requested in writing and cannot be picked up in person. Absentee requests can be for a single election, a calendar year, or for voters who are indefinitely confined. Ballots are mailed according to statutory timelines and must be returned by 8:00 p.m. on Election Night.
Absentee ballots require a voter signature, a witness signature and address, and proper sealing; the clerk contacts voters if corrections are needed. In‑person absentee voting (“early voting”) is available at the Town Office with photo ID. Election workers follow strict procedures to verify, record, and process absentee ballots before they are counted. Deadlines for requesting absentee ballots vary by election and are posted on the Town of Florence website.
Click here to read the full version of:Voting Absentee (03-26-26)
Click here to read the full version of:Voting Absentee (03-26-26)
Voting in Person at the Polls
Article Summary: Wisconsin voters can cast their ballot in person at the polls on Election Day, with all polling places statewide open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters must state their name and address, show photo ID, and sign the poll list. Election workers use voter number slips to ensure each voter receives the correct ballot and to match ballots issued with ballots counted.
Paper ballots are used in the Town of Florence, and the tabulator displays your choices privately before casting. Voters may spoil up to three ballots if mistakes occur. Assistance is allowed for voters who need help marking a ballot, and curbside voting is available for voters unable to enter the polling place, following the same verification steps.
Click here to read the full version of:Voting in Person at the Polls (04-02-26)
Click here to read the full version of:Voting in Person at the Polls (04-02-26)
When Election Day is Over
Article Summary: When polls close at 8:00 p.m., anyone already in line may still vote. Election workers track voter numbers and ballots throughout the day, and absentee ballots are processed as time allows. Two identical poll lists are compared at the end of the night to ensure accuracy.
The tabulator scans and counts each ballot, separates write‑ins, and prints a results report. Ballots are sealed in certified ballot bags and delivered to the County Clerk along with poll books, absentee materials, memory cards, and results tapes. Results are called in by phone on Election Night and posted as unofficial until municipal and county canvasses verify them.
Click here to read the full version of:When Election Day is Over (05-07-26)
Click here to read the full version of:When Election Day is Over (05-07-26)
Post Election Work
Article Summary: After Election Day, most work shifts to the Clerk’s Office and the statewide WisVote system. Clerks record voter participation from the poll books, enter Election Day registrations, update voter records, and ensure participation totals match the number of voters. Voters can later see their voting history in MyVote.
Clerks also complete required follow‑up for indefinitely confined and calendar‑year absentee voters, respond to returned registration postcards, and review state‑generated alerts from ERIC about address changes, possible duplicate records, felon status, or death records. All of this ensures voter rolls remain accurate and up‑to‑date.
Click here to read the full version of:Post Election Work (05-14-26)
Click here to read the full version of:Post Election Work (05-14-26)
Property Assessments,
the Board of Review (BOR) & Taxes
Property Assessing Basics
Article Summary: Property taxes in Wisconsin are based on the assessed value of each property, recorded annually on the municipal tax roll. An “improvement” simply means anything on the land — buildings, utilities, or structures — not necessarily a recent change. The Town hires a professional assessor (R&R Assessing Services) to determine values using standards from the Wisconsin Property Assessment Manual.
Properties fall into eight statutory classes, and assessments rely on comparable local sales, market value, and equitable treatment. Assessors do not automatically match assessments to sale prices (“chasing sales”), and only valid arms‑length sales are used as market indicators. Because assessments are complex, future articles will explain the process in more detail.
Click here to read the full article:Property Assessing Basics (06-04-26)
Click here to read the full article:Property Assessing Basics (06-04-26)
Assessment Work & Your Property
Article Summary: Assessors review Florence building permits every year and physically inspect properties to ensure assessments stay fair and accurate. Property values are based on what exists as of January 1, so construction progress affects assessments year by year. Any change in value triggers an official Notice of Changed Assessment.
If a property owner disagrees with their valuation, the first step is to contact the assessor, who can review records or meet onsite. Assessors regularly travel to Florence and leave notices if they stop by when owners aren’t home. More guidance on next steps will be covered in the following week’s article.
Click here to read the full article:Assessment Work & Your Property (06-11-26)
Click here to read the full article:Assessment Work & Your Property (06-11-26)
You Don't Agree with Your Assessment, Now What?
Article Summary: If you disagree with your property assessment after speaking with the assessor, the next step is to attend the Open Book Meeting, held annually in Florence. The assessor can review your property record, accept additional information, or schedule a site visit. If no agreement is reached, you may file to appear before the Board of Review (BOR), made up of the Town Board and Clerk, which meets within a state‑mandated timeframe each year.
Assessments aren’t final until after BOR, so there is still time to speak with the assessor if BOR hasn’t occurred. Keeping building permits up‑to‑date ensures assessments remain fair and equitable for all property owners. This is the third article in the series, with more guidance coming next week.
Click here to read the full article:You Don't Agree with Your Assessment, Now What?(06-18-26)
Click here to read the full article:You Don't Agree with Your Assessment, Now What?(06-18-26)
What Happens at the Board of Review (BOR)?
Article Summary: If you disagree with your property assessment after speaking with the assessor, you may file an objection to appear before the Board of Review (BOR). You must give the Clerk at least 48 hours’ notice and submit a completed, signed objection form covering the total assessed value. The BOR functions like a court: it hears sworn evidence from both the property owner and the assessor and can only act on assessment‑related information, not tax concerns.
State law allows written statements, phone testimony, or an authorized agent to appear on your behalf. The assessor’s valuation is presumed correct, so property owners must provide evidence—such as recent arms‑length sales or comparable property data—to show the assessment is inaccurate. After testimony, the BOR makes a determination. If you disagree with the BOR’s decision, you may appeal to circuit court or the Department of Revenue, following strict timelines.
Click here to read the full version of:What Happens at the Board of Review (BOR)? (06-25-26)
State law allows written statements, phone testimony, or an authorized agent to appear on your behalf. The assessor’s valuation is presumed correct, so property owners must provide evidence—such as recent arms‑length sales or comparable property data—to show the assessment is inaccurate. After testimony, the BOR makes a determination. If you disagree with the BOR’s decision, you may appeal to circuit court or the Department of Revenue, following strict timelines.
Click here to read the full version of:What Happens at the Board of Review (BOR)? (06-25-26)
Assessment Levels, Ratios & Revaluations
Article Summary: The Town’s assessment level compares assessed value to equalized value, and must stay within 10% of 100% to remain in compliance. The assessment ratio compares assessed value to actual market value. When either falls out of compliance, the Town may be required to complete a revaluation, which updates every property’s assessed value.
Florence’s first revaluation with the current assessor was in 2012, and another was required in 2024 after ratios dropped due to major real‑estate market changes beginning in 2020. Even after the 2024 revaluation, the Town fell out of compliance again in 2025 because property sale prices continued rising. A future revaluation is not yet scheduled, as the market may still correct itself.
Higher assessed values do not automatically mean higher taxes. After the 2024 revaluation, the tax levy decreased, lowering the tax rate. Revaluations simply redistribute how the tax burden is shared among properties based on updated assessments.
Click here to read the full version of:Assessment Levels, Ratios and Revaluations (07-02-26)
Click here to read the full version of:Assessment Levels, Ratios and Revaluations (07-02-26)
Property Tax Levies 101
Article Summary: Your property assessment directly determines how much of the Town’s total tax levy you pay. The levy is made up of four separate taxing jurisdictions on your bill: Florence County, School District of Florence County, Town of Florence, and NWTC (the technical college district). Each follows different laws that affect how their levies are set.
Municipal levy limits were made permanent in 2011, and the Town can only increase its levy based on net new construction. Other factors—population, equalized value, fee adjustments, and the TIF district—also affect the levy calculation. Because levies and tax rates are complex, upcoming articles will explain how mill rates work and how they impact your tax bill.
Click here to read the full version of:Property Tax Levies 101 (07-09-26)
Click here to read the full version of:Property Tax Levies 101 (07-09-26)
What Happens at the Board of Review (BOR)?
Article Summary: Your property tax bill shows how the Town’s total levy is split among four jurisdictions: Florence County, Florence Schools, Town of Florence, and NWTC. Each has its own levy, also called a mill rate, which is the jurisdiction’s total levy divided by the total assessed value of taxable property. The combined mill rates create the overall tax rate, applied per $1,000 of assessed value.
In 2025, the Town’s total mill rate was about $17.19 per $1,000, with most going to the school and county. The Town’s portion was small—about $1.68 per $1,000—and has remained stable for nearly a decade, dropping significantly after the 2024 revaluation. Future articles will explain how tax credits help reduce the final amount owed.
Click here to read the full version of:Property Taxes Paid to the Town (07-16-26)
In 2025, the Town’s total mill rate was about $17.19 per $1,000, with most going to the school and county. The Town’s portion was small—about $1.68 per $1,000—and has remained stable for nearly a decade, dropping significantly after the 2024 revaluation. Future articles will explain how tax credits help reduce the final amount owed.
Click here to read the full version of:Property Taxes Paid to the Town (07-16-26)
Community Services
The Community Center & Gazebo Park
Article Summary: Florence’s Community Center is part of a larger public space known as Gazebo Park, which includes a historic gazebo, a pavilion, a community‑funded playground, and gardens maintained by the Glacial Gardeners Master Gardener Association. The playground was built entirely through local donations, and volunteers keep the park clean, landscaped, and welcoming throughout the year.
The park is a popular gathering place for residents and visitors, offering picnic areas and a comfortable spot to meet, relax, or enjoy the outdoors. It also hosts Music in the Park, a free summer concert series sponsored by the Florence County Chamber, held monthly from June through September.
Click here to read the full version of:Community Center & Gazebo Park (05-28-26)
Click here to read the full version of:Community Center & Gazebo Park (05-28-26)
What's in the Community Center?
Article Summary: Florence’s Community Center, located at 749 Central Ave, houses the Town Office, the Fire Hall, and the Meyers Youngell American Legion Post. The ADRC operates a weekday meal site there, and most Town Board meetings—including the Annual Town Meeting—are held in the building.
The Center is available for public rentals and is commonly used for parties, showers, fundraisers, and community events. It includes tables, chairs, and a kitchen that can be used or rented depending on the event. Rentals typically cost $100 for small events, with larger events priced higher, plus a $100 refundable security deposit. Non‑county residents pay an additional $50 building‑use fee.
Click here to read the full version of:What's in the Community Center? (05-21-26)
Click here to read the full version of:What's in the Community Center? (05-21-26)
Public Nuisances
Article Summary: The Town of Florence has a Public Nuisance Ordinance designed to protect community health, safety, property values, and the Town’s natural appearance. Nuisances can include health hazards (trash, waste, overgrown weeds), safety risks (blocked vision, abandoned structures, dangerous appliances), and issues involving junked vehicles, trees, shrubs, or wild animals.
The Town Board’s goal is communication, not punishment. Concerns often begin with a courtesy letter, and formal violation notices include a 10‑day window to respond or correct the issue. A phone call from the property owner can pause the violation while solutions are discussed, and the Town may help connect residents with resources.
Residents can dispose of large items at the Material Drop‑Off Site, open twice monthly May–November, with most items free and some requiring small fees. The ordinance ultimately helps maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming community for residents and visitors.
Click here to read the full version of:Public Nuisances (04-30-36)
Click here to read the full version of:Public Nuisances (04-30-36)