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Wisconsin’s Legal Notice System Faces Scrutiny Over Cost and Readership
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Wisconsin’s system of publishing legal notices in newspapers is facing increased scrutiny as costs rise and readership declines, raising questions about its effectiveness in informing the public. In Portage County, an examination reveals that thousands of taxpayer dollars are spent annually on these notices, with little to no data available to measure their impact on democratic participation. This communication gap highlights the need for modernization and greater accountability in how local governments disseminate crucial information.
The Rising Costs of Tradition
The cost of publishing legal notices in Stevens Point has more than doubled since 2017, jumping from 33 cents per column inch to approximately 82 cents per line. The city designates The Stevens Point Gazette as its official newspaper, while Plover uses Gannett’s Stevens Point Journal. This decentralized system reflects Wisconsin’s complex municipal structure. Stevens Point Council President Marc Christianson noted the difficulty in obtaining multiple bids due to restrictive state statutes defining eligible newspapers.
To qualify as an official newspaper,publications must operate for at least one year,maintain a paid subscription base of at least 50 percent plus one of their total circulation,and adhere to specific standards set by the Wisconsin Department of Administration,including detailed formatting and typography requirements.
Did You Know? the U.S. Census Bureau reports that newspaper readership has steadily declined since the late 20th century, with digital platforms becoming the primary source of news for many Americans.
The readership Reality
National research indicates that legal notices published in newspapers frequently enough have limited reach. The U.S. Supreme court acknowledged this issue in 1950 in Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., observing that the likelihood of a local resident noticing a small advertisement in the back pages of a newspaper is largely a matter of chance.
Local resident taylor Madson’s statement, “I have never even held a newspaper in my hand or even looked at one online,” reflects a generational shift away from customary print media. Despite proper legal notice publication, Stevens Point’s 2025 budget hearings saw minimal public participation, and residents are frequently enough surprised by road construction projects and municipal ordinance changes.
The Democratic Paradox: Spending Without Knowing
A important concern is the lack of data to assess the effectiveness of legal notices. Portage County lacks readership studies,demographic analysis,and comparisons of print versus online notice effectiveness. Local governments operate in an information vacuum,spending thousands of dollars annually on notices that may not reach anyone.
When Sedgwick County, Kansas, switched from a major daily newspaper ($133,000 annually) to a smaller weekly ($56,000), costs decreased significantly, but potential readership plummeted from “almost nobody” to “definitely nobody.” Mayor Mike Wiza expressed frustration with rising costs but found limited options within the current legal framework.
Modernization Efforts and Future Paths
wisconsin has taken small steps toward modernizing its legal notice system. A 2016-2017 Legislative Council study committee allowed municipalities to publish summaries rather of full text for repeat notices. Though, the committee maintained print publication requirements, acknowledging that future technological advancements may necessitate broader changes to the law.
Pro Tip: Check the Wisconsin Public Notices website for a thorough listing of legal notices published throughout the state.
Citizen Involvement
