Welcome to the Town of Florence Online!
Helpful Community Links
Fun Facts about the Town
- Population (at 2010 census) was 2487
- Charles White Whittlesey, Medal of Honor recipient in World War I, was born in Florence.
- The Town of Florence maintains 119.21 miles of roads and streets--64.41 miles are paved road and 54.35 miles are gravel.
- Florence is the County seat for Florence County.
Click on the links below to be directed to these websites:
A Little History of the Town. . .
Town Office
From the Heritage of Iron & Timber 1880-1980
Published for Florence County, Wisconsin, 1980
The Townsite of Florence is Laid Out
In 1879 Mr. VanDyke and Mr. Hagerman, financiers, purchased a three-fourths interest, arranged for railroad extension because of the good work done in this mining region by Mr. N.P. Hulst and called the mine in Florence in honor of Mrs. Florence Hulst, his wife. This name was first applied to the iron mine, then to the town and county. The following is an account of the letter sent to Mrs. Florence Hulst on December 15, 1879 by Mr. J.J. Hagerman President of the Menominee Mining company:
Mrs. Hulst -- The time is come when we must give a name to the new town in Wisconsin at the end of the Railroad now building, and to the new mine in the vicinity, now called the Eagle, but which name we do not wish to keep, as there is already an Eagle P.O. in Wisconsin. The Company owns all the land around the lake, where the town will be located. It will be a lively town. We shall put an anti-whiskey clause in all deeds and we expect it will be as much noted for its temperance and morality as for its -- well, anything the future may develop. We all wish to call the new town and the mine FLORENCE, in honor of the first white woman who had courage enough to settle (for a while) in that rugged country. I mean the first white woman known to us.
Will you permit your name to be used?
Thus the town and mine had been given a name, a very prim and proper name!
Because of the mine people rushed into the region and by 1880 Mr. Fisher laid out the townsite, putting a number of lots upon the market. He said he would put the lots in at government prices selling the ordinary lots from $100.00 while the corners sold for $150.00.
In sixty days Mr. Fisher had sold $60,000 worth of realty. The population at this time was 50 people. In a short time a blast furnace was put up as was a foundry, five coal kilns, a large sawmill and a cheese factory.
Notices for the Town of Florence
The Town of Florence Office is located at 749 Central Avenue. It is in the corner of the Community Center building. The mailing address for the Town of Florence is P.O. Box 247; Florence, WI 54121.
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Phone Number: 715-528-3595
Fax Number: 715-528-3591
Shelly VanPembrook, Clerk/Treasurer
svanpembrook@florwi.orgjklumpp@florwi.orgClick on Shelly's name or Jessica's name to e-mail them.
This page was last updated: June 25, 2020
Town of Florence, Wisconsin
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Florence County was recently featured on Discover Wisconsin
You can watch the video with the following link:
Remaining 2020 Election Dates:
♦August 11 (Partisan Primary)
August 11 (Partisan Primary)♦November 3 (General Election)
November 3 (General Election)Voter Registration Applications and Absentee Ballot Applications can be found on the Town website. The Community Center is the polling place for the Town of Florence. Polling place hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the day of the election.
A request for an Absentee Ballot allows you to vote prior to election day. In most cases, the last day ballots can be mailed out is the Thursday before an election, but you may absentee vote at the clerk’s office by Absentee Ballot up until 5:00 p.m. on the Friday preceding the election. Contact the Town of Florence Office for more information and/or to request an absentee ballot.
2020 US Census
Florence County NEEDS your help to ensure a complete and accurate 2020 Census!!! A complete and accurate count during this 2020 Census will ensure that Florence County does not miss out on representation or any funding from the Federal level for the next 10 years. You can complete the 2020 Census now online at 2020Census.gov, by phone 1-844-330-2020, or by mail.
As of April 21st, 2020 the 2020 Census response rate for Florence County is 20.1%, the state of Wisconsin rate is 57.1%. Households who receive their mail by PO Box will not receive the Census by mail, but will have a letter and paper questionnaire delivered to their door when field operations resume (if they have not responded by that time). All Census in person field operations have been temporarily suspended to comply with stay at home orders to limit spread of the corona virus. You can respond online or by phone even without a Census ID by visiting 2020census.gov or calling 1-844-330-2020.
2020 US Census data is used to allocate Federal funding, and will also to determine how many seats in the US House of Representatives each state will have. People that have multiple residences should be recording their 2020 US Census form at the location they spend the most time throughout the year. Please be sure to fill out your Census form either online by phone or by mail to ensure a complete and accurate 2020 US Census count for Florence County. Please go to 2020census.gov for more information.
The below links are to US Census Bureau Public service announcements that provide a short video providing more information regarding the 2020 US Census.
What Is the 2020 Census?
This PSA explains what the 2020 Census is, why it’s written in the U.S. Constitution, and why it’s important. https://2020census.gov/en/partners/psa-toolkit/what-is.html
Is My 2020 Census Data Safe?
This PSA teaches viewers about how census data is private, protected by law, and stored securely.
How Does the 2020 Census Affect Representation?
This PSA explains how census data will affect congressional representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. https://2020census.gov/en/partners/psa-toolkit/representation.html
How Will 2020 Census Data Be Used?
This PSA explains how census data helps inform funding for things that impact your community.
Do you have a P.O. Box?
The 2020 US Census is upon us, with many people already receiving their invite to participate in the 2020 US Census. For people that have Post Office (PO) Boxes, you will not receive the 2020 US Census invitation. If you have a PO box or do not receive the 2020 Census invitation please go to the link below and then click on the link “If you do not have a Census ID, click here” to fill out your 2020 US Census form, and ensure a complete and accurate count for Florence County!
Notice of Meeting to Adjourn Board of Review to Later Date
Town of Florence, Florence County
Board of Review will meet on the 11th day of May, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the Florence Community Center located at 749 Central Avenue, Florence for the purpose of calling the Board of Review into session during the forty-five day period beginning on the 4th Monday of April, pursuant to s. 70.47(1) of Wis. Stats.
Due to the fact the assessment roll is not complete at this time, it is anticipated that the Board of Review will be adjourned until the 10th day of August, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
Notice is hereby given this 24th day of April, 2020 by:
Shelly VanPembrook
Clerk/Treasurer
Town of Florence
2020 Assessment Procedures
This 2020 assessment year is proving to be more of a challenge than any of us expected. The coronavirus has virtually shut everything down that is not essential.
Under the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services Emergency Order #28, paragraph 1., sub-paragraph b., Essential Governmental Functions, allows such services to continue to ensure operations of the government body for State, Tribal and/or local governments.
As property assessors, we will continue to work for the municipalities we are contracted with to follow up on building permits and sales, field questions, make value changes and complete Boards of Review in a timely manner. The procedures for how we will complete our work must change due to public restrictions. Field review is necessary to check on building permits and update pictures and information based on changes. Most of what is recorded can be done on the exterior of the property. Where interior information is needed, this can be done at/through the door with the property owner. Or the property owner may call our office Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm. If the owner fails to provide the necessary interior information R&R Assessing will place an assessment accordingly. If the property owner wishes to contest their assessment the burden of proof is the property owners. Please contact our office when asked to help ensure an accurate fair assessment.
Under “Minimum Basic Operations”, paragraph 14, sub-paragraph g., only one property assessor would be at the property to collect pertinent information at any one time.
Beginning Monday, April 27, our office will be fully staffed, and physical inspections will commence. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at 920-846-4250.
Ryan L. Raatz
Rick L. Raatz
R&R Assessing Services LLC
Election Voters Strongly Encouraged to Absentee Vote by Mail for 2020
This has been a busy election year. There have already been 3 elections in Florence County, and there are two more coming up. Because of the COVID-19 and the restrictions that may still be in place, voters are strongly urged to act now to vote absentee by mail for the August 11 Primary and November 3 General Election. The Wisconsin Elections Commission encourages all Wisconsin voters who want to vote in elections to request an absentee ballot by mail.
Why Vote Absentee?
Although the elections are months away, social distancing guidelines may still be in place limiting the number of voters permitted to enter the polling place at one time.
As with the April and May elections, the polls will be open for people to come and vote in person. However, social distancing requirements included:
- Limiting the number of voters allowed in the polling place at one time to five (5)
- Voters maintaining 6 feet of distance between each other and between themselves and poll workers
- The use of hand-sanitizer was encouraged when voters entered and exited the polling place
- Voters were given their own pen to use throughout the process
By requesting absentee ballots today, they will automatically be issued as soon as the ballots are received by the Town of Florence Office. Not only does this ensure voters will receive their ballots as soon as possible, but it also makes it easier for the office to issues ballots together as a group.
What Happens to a Voted Absentee Ballot?
1.Absentee ballots are issued and mailed once the Town of Florence Office receives a request in writing and a photo ID is on file. Each absentee ballot mailing includes: instructions, one of each type of ballot (each ballot is initialed by the clerk), and a stamped and addressed certificate envelope for the voter to securely return their ballot in. The ballots are folded so that when they are returned, the election inspectors can see that the clerk initialed the ballot, but cannot see how the voter marked his/her ballot.
Absentee ballots are issued and mailed once the Town of Florence Office receives a request in writing and a photo ID is on file. Each absentee ballot mailing includes: instructions, one of each type of ballot (each ballot is initialed by the clerk), and a stamped and addressed certificate envelope for the voter to securely return their ballot in. The ballots are folded so that when they are returned, the election inspectors can see that the clerk initialed the ballot, but cannot see how the voter marked his/her ballot.2.The voter receives and votes the ballot and encloses it in the certificate envelope provided with the ballot. This envelope must be signed and dated by the voter. A witness must also sign and write their address the envelope—by signing the witness states that they saw the voter sign the envelope and mark their ballot (not what they marked, but witnessing the voter was marking his/her own ballot).
The voter receives and votes the ballot and encloses it in the certificate envelope provided with the ballot. This envelope must be signed and dated by the voter. A witness must also sign and write their address the envelope—by signing the witness states that they saw the voter sign the envelope and mark their ballot (not what they marked, but witnessing the voter was marking his/her own ballot).3.The ballot gets returned to the Town of Florence. If a ballot is mailed locally (here in Florence), the ballot does not go to a mail sorting facility. It is kept here in Florence. Voters can also drop off their absentee ballots at the Town of Florence Office during office hours or use the secure drop off box next to the Town Office door.
The ballot gets returned to the Town of Florence. If a ballot is mailed locally (here in Florence), the ballot does not go to a mail sorting facility. It is kept here in Florence. Voters can also drop off their absentee ballots at the Town of Florence Office during office hours or use the secure drop off box next to the Town Office door.4.Once received by the Town of Florence Office, the ballot is recorded as returned and the sealed envelope is placed in a secured absentee ballot box.
Once received by the Town of Florence Office, the ballot is recorded as returned and the sealed envelope is placed in a secured absentee ballot box.5.That box is delivered by the Clerk to the polls on Election Day.
That box is delivered by the Clerk to the polls on Election Day.6.Two election inspectors verify the certificate envelope: that it is still sealed and hasn’t been tampered with, that the voter signed and dated the envelope and that a witness signed and put their address on the envelope. Then a voter number is issued to that voter, and the absentee ballot envelope is opened.
Two election inspectors verify the certificate envelope: that it is still sealed and hasn’t been tampered with, that the voter signed and dated the envelope and that a witness signed and put their address on the envelope. Then a voter number is issued to that voter, and the absentee ballot envelope is opened.7.When the envelope is opened, the inspectors make sure there is only one ballot of each type (official, town, school, etc) enclosed, and that the clerk has initialed the ballot. Once those two items are verified, the ballot is then placed directly in the ballot box. The inspectors do not see how a voter marked their ballot due to how the ballot is folded in the envelope.
When the envelope is opened, the inspectors make sure there is only one ballot of each type (official, town, school, etc) enclosed, and that the clerk has initialed the ballot. Once those two items are verified, the ballot is then placed directly in the ballot box. The inspectors do not see how a voter marked their ballot due to how the ballot is folded in the envelope.8.The ballot boxes are opened after 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. The election workers verify there are the same number of ballots as there are voters. Then the ballots are counted by four people.
The ballot boxes are opened after 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. The election workers verify there are the same number of ballots as there are voters. Then the ballots are counted by four people.9.After the ballots are all tallied, they get sealed in a ballot bag. Then the results are called into the County Clerk’s Office.
After the ballots are all tallied, they get sealed in a ballot bag. Then the results are called into the County Clerk’s Office.How to Request an Absentee Ballot
The easiest way to request an absentee ballot is to go online to www.myvote.wi.gov.
Voters can also request a ballot by sending something in writing either by email, fax or mail to their municipal clerk. Town of Florence Voters can contact the Town of Florence Office by sending a request to:
e-mail: Shelly at svanpembrook@florwi.org or Jessica at jklumpp@florwi.org
fax: 715-528-3591; mail: P.O. Box 247; Florence, WI 54121
In order to receive a ballot, the voter needs to have a request on file that states:
- Voter’s name & registered voting address
- Where the Voter wants the ballot mailed to, if it’s a PO Box that needs to be indicated (absentee ballots do not forward in the mail)
- What elections the voter wants to receive the ballot for—i.e. this election, all elections in 2020, etc.
- Photo ID: If the voter has voted by mail as an absentee in the past, the ID may already be on file. Otherwise a copy of the photo ID must be included with the absentee request.
