title
Consideration of designation of the North NOW as the official City newspaper
body
Submitted by:
Zach Kessler, Director of Municipal Services
Department:
Municipal Services
A. Issue
Wisconsin Statute 985.06 requires the City to designate an official newspaper for publication of council proceedings and legal notices. The statute requires the City to solicit bids from eligible newspapers and award the designation to the newspaper submitting the lowest effective bid.
B. Background/Options
On June 3, 2026, the City published a notice soliciting bids from eligible newspapers for designation as the City’s official newspaper for the ensuing year. The bid submission period closed on June 30, 2026.
The City Clerk’s Office received one bid, submitted by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/North NOW.
The North NOW is a weekly regional newspaper published every Wednesday that serves northern metro-Milwaukee communities, including Wauwatosa. The City currently utilizes the North NOW for required legal notices and other official publications. Notices published in the North NOW can also be viewed online at this website: <https://www.jsonline.com/public-notices>.
The North NOW meets the eligibility requirements of Wisconsin Statute § 985.03.
C. Fiscal Impact
No substantial fiscal impacts. Publication rates are established annually by the Wisconsin Department of Administration for all newspaper publications.
D. Recommendation
I recommend designating the North NOW as the City’s official newspaper for publication of legal notices and other required publications for the ensuing year.