The Kettl Commission met in Eau Claire on September 21st. The discussion centered on regionalism, the local government proposal, including state shared revenues, and the take over of certain county functions. Major points were:

• Change the name from "regionalism" to "consolidation of community services."
• Tie consolidation to economic development.

For details, click on http://www.lafollette.wisc.edu/reform/Meetings/Files/Municipal_Service_Basket_proposal.htm

The foundation proposal would follow a formula based on revenues per capita, not spending. Although the numbers that follow are debatable, they are based on existing spending:

1. Cities would be mandated to levy ten mills. If that ten mills raises less than $700 per capita in revenue and they need that revenue, then the state would make up the difference between the dollar amount per capita raised and the $700 per capita. Villages would be set at $500 per capita with a lower mill rate and towns set at 5 mills and $300 per capita. (current average mill rates are 8.26 for cities, 6.18 for villages and 2.44 for towns)
2. The foundation proposal would likely reduce the amount of money needed in the current shared revenue program.
3. Mark Bugher told me he would like to see a reduction of $200 million. That proposal would take the money from low spending, high value communities.

• The state would take over the County government levy for human services and criminal justice.
• Cost to the state would be $481 million.
• The state would get counties' existing share of shared revenue. ($189 million)
• The state would need $292 million in on-going general-purpose revenue (i.e. municipal state shared revenue) to balance its books. This was not stated. However, with that proviso, Mark Bugher's statement takes on new meaning.

Meeting With DOT On September 22nd

Ed presented the Wisconsin Urban Transit Association package that members discussed and amended  in Ashland to the Department of Transportation and asked them to support it for the 2001-2003 state budget. (To see the package, click on the highlighted text above.) Ed also asked the agency to support designating a portion of the gas tax for local government programs and moving Beloit and Superior into lower population categories for transit cost-sharing purposes. Their response was:

• Total revenue growth in the transportation fund for the biennium is expected to be $130 million. DOT is recommending increases of 2.3% in the first year and 2.6% in the second year in local transportation aids..
• They were sympathetic to the formula issues demonstrated by WUTA, but they did not submit a budget request to the governor. They are waiting for estimates on federal dollars.
• They are not changing the classification of the Superior or Beloit systems, but would use national data to compare these systems for efficiency purposes. They say the problem is with the federal government.

Stormwater Management On A Regional Basis

The Alliance has adopted a position that stormwater needs to be addressed on a regional basis. Ed met with staff members from West Allis and Sheboygan to start the process. Look for a meeting in December in those areas.

Ed is meeting with the DNR staff and Secretary Meyer Oct. 2 to discuss issues. We will report on that progress in our next letter.

Decker Receives Alliance Award

Ed presentated an Alliance of Cities award to Senator Decker during the Wausau City Council meeting Sept. 26. As you know, Decker hammered out a bipartisan compromise on recycling funding that we supported and will again support in the upcoming session. Also, the city council’s finance committee tabled a resolution to oppose the Duluth-Weston power line.

The TIF working Group discussed the recommendations reviewed at the Alliance meeting in Ashland. With protests from Andy Bruce of Mooney LeSage they advanced the proposal to limit greenfield TIDs. Gail spoke with Rep. Lehman after the meeting. He anticipated a public hearing on the proposal during the normal biennial budget consideration. For information on the working group's ongoing activities, go here: http://www.dor.state.wi.us/html/tifgrpst.html

Trans 233

The Alliance registered in favor of Trans 233, Wis Adm Code, as it was presented to the Assembly Transportation Committee Sept. 20.

Although portions of the rule continue to pit "property rights" advocates against the WisDOT’s definition of safety and potential expenditure of resources, the sections allowing delegation of setback authority to municipalities appear sound.

Navigable Waters

The Legislative Council Special Study Committee on Navigable Waters Recodification had its initial meeting Sept. 21. The committee's expressed intention is to make substantive changes in Ch 30, Wis Stats. It became apparent during its six and a half hour meeting, which Gail attended, that there is a "tension zone" between those on the committee who wish to provide additional flexibility in the law and those who would like to provide more certainty to permit applicants. Mayor Michael Miller of West Bend is a public member of the committee. For more information on the committee's membership and on-going activities, click here: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lc/studies/NAV/index.htm

Brownfields Study Group

During its 5-hour meeting Sept. 22, also attended by Gail, the Brownfields Study Group discussed legislative changes and provided policy directives to the DNR and Dept of Commerce on many of the provisions that became law during the 1999-2000 legislative session. DNR and Commerce staff will meet to discuss reevaluating existing programs or establishing a new program to fund clean-up of sites that generally are ineligible for funding -- future green space, residential or mixed-use sites. Mayor John Antaramian of Kenosha, John Stibal of West Allis and Larry Kirch of LaCrosse are members of the study group. To keep up with the group's activities, click on its website: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/aw/rr/rbrownfields/bsg/

Juvenile License Suspension

Gail met Sept. 26 with Rep. Bonnie Ladwig, and offered to assist her in establishing a coalition to support legislation authorizing municipal judges to suspend a juvenile's drivers license for a non-moving violation. This authority was stripped in the 1999-2001 budget. Gail has contacted likely coalition members, and they will meet in October.

Upcoming Events

This e-newsletter: does it work for you?

We intend this newsletter to be the first in a series that details Alliance issues and the activities of Alliance members and staff , with as many links to other sources as we can squeeze in. It is intended to be an interactive document when read on your computer screen as well as a printable document for those who prefer hard copy. Please forward any comments you have to Rich Eggleston. And please forward the link to this newsletter to anyone who might be interested, or send Rich the e-mail addresses of additional potential recipients. Thanks.

THE WISCONSIN ALLIANCE OF CITIES
14 West Mifflin Street Suite 206
Madison, Wisconsin 53703