Too many Wisconsin citizens pay twice for local government services they receive only once, and too few reap the benefits that consolidation of services can provide.
Background
Wisconsin counties charge all the property taxpayers within their boundaries for the cost of sheriff's patrols, parks and county planning services, and sometimes other services like septic-tank inspections, but do not provide those services within the borders of cities, villages and some towns. As a result, some taxpayers are billed twice for a service, some just once.
In addition, according to the Governor's Blue-Ribbon Commission on State-Local Partnership for the 21st Century, Wisconsin ranks 13th among the states in its number of local governments, with nearly 2,800 cities, villages, towns, counties and school boards within its borders.
The Problem
Having so many units of government deliver services within often arbitrary boundaries results in fragmentation and redundancy in the delivery of services to Wisconsin citizens, and taxpayers pay the price.
The cost of "double whammy" taxation by counties upon the residents of many cities, villages and towns results in a distortion of the urban vs. rural tax rates, contributing to decisions to move outside of urban areas, creating sprawl development.
The Wisconsin Legislature and governor have recognized the inequity of paying twice for certain services and state government currently allows municipalities to opt out of paying for public health department functions and other services if the municipality provides the service itself.
The Solution
Forbid counties from levying a property tax for services that are not provided to the residents of every municipality within their jurisdiction; and
Create incentives for functional consolidation of municipal services regardless of boundaries.
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