Local Gov 101

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Welcome to Local Gov 101! We understand there can be a lot of technical jargon when it comes to discussing the inner workings of local government. To provide clear definitions on important municipal terms and phrases, a variety of resources are included on this page to guide you through understanding how the City of Sun Prairie operates. This educational resource is evolving and intended to be a simple way to learn about key terms and concepts in local government. An important first place to start is the common council’s vision for Sun Prairie. This will provide a framework that connects key terms and concepts to a greater view of how the City functions and its trajectory. 

A Vision for Sun Prairie 

In May of 2019, the Sun Prairie City Council and Mayor outlined eight focus areas to achieve their community vision. These eight areas provide policy direction across a broad array of issues and a pathway to meet the Council’s short and long-term objectives through targeted strategies, key projects and initiatives. 

The eight focus areas include:

  • Housing and Neighborhoods - Sun Prairie is a place of vibrant and robust neighborhoods made up of housing with options for all with options at all price ranges for those that desire to rent or own.
  • Downtown and Central Corridor Vibrancy - Our Downtown and Central Corridor is a bustling place with entertainment, dining, housing, and cultural opportunities. This area has restaurants, breweries, and music venues that host active entertainment day and night. Downtown is easy to get to by bike, car, foot, bus, ride-sharing, taxi, or train.
  • Dynamic Economy - Sun Prairie is the home of many cutting-edge businesses applying innovative practices and technology to bring new and exciting products to the market every day. These businesses employ many highly skilled, highly paid Sun Prairie residents.
  • Complete Transportation Network - The community has multiple modes of transportation, ensuring the entire population has options for safe and efficient travel. The City has multiple alternatives for travel including pedestrian walkways, biking lanes, and mass transit.
  • Human Services - The community offers a wide range of human services to assist residents to live to their full potential.
  • Sustainable Sun Prairie - Sustainability is a community aspiration. It includes City government, which demonstrates leadership in sustainable practices through promotion, education, and incentives to move our community toward locally produced solar, wind, and geothermal energy.
  • Quality City Services - City services are efficient, friendly, and competent. In addition to maintaining roads, water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, electric infrastructure, sidewalks, bike paths, we anticipate future needs.
  • Employer of Choice - In Sun Prairie, our City employees are essential to our success. We have excellent public services which can only be provided by dedicated and talented staff. City leadership is committed to providing an excellent salary and benefit package.

Take a Deeper Dive...

If you want to take a deeper dive into council's vision and learn more, click here and you will be redirected to the main page.  

Additional topics? 

There is a lot to learn about how local government operates and the focus is to provide content that covers the basics. This educational resource is evolving and you can be apart of it! Below is a submission tool where you can submit questions and staff will identify themes in submissions to develop content that serves as a response.

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