July5, 2002

Honorable Governor Scott McCallum
115 East, State Capitol
Madison, WI 53702

Dear Governor McCallum:

On behalf of the 38 member cities of the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities, we thank David Anderson and Ken Harwood of your staff for giving us their time on July 1 to discuss the vision the Alliance has for the future of the state and local partnership. Consistent with the Alliance’s view, we ask that you take the following into account when considering vetoes of language included in Special Session Assembly Bill 1:

Shared Revenues – We oppose the provisions. We urge you veto both the $40 million decrease in shared revenue in 2004 and the $45 million consolidation incentive payment. As you know, the payment is not needed to encourage consolidation. In addition, it is much less likely that a poor community can recoup enough in consolidation incentives to make up for any cuts. The plan further unfairly penalizes communities that have already merged or consolidated services. There are too many unanswered questions. Do not reduce shared revenues further by veto.

Aquifer Storage Recovery – We support the provisions. They are carefully worded to allow municipalities to utilize innovative water storage solutions, currently used by Oak Creek and proposed by Green Bay. The provisions represent a compromise between the state regulatory agencies, the water utilities and legislators on both sides of the aisle. Please leave the language intact. It will save municipalities millions of dollars.

Police & Fire Commission Arbitration – We strongly oppose the provision. Municipal Police and Fire Commissions are not creatures of the mayor or the city council. The Commissions protect the public when the police (a quasi-military force) misuse their power. Police are well protected by the courts, as was demonstrated recently in the Jocko’s case in Madison where dismissal of a firefighter was overturned.

Town of Madison Annexation – We support the provision. The town of Madison is unique in the state of Wisconsin. It is the second smallest town in terms of land area. It is a poor town, surrounded by a property-wealthy community. Town services are scattered among ten separate town parcels. It is the poster child for inefficient government. The Alliance has no plan to expand this provision to apply to other towns.

Agricultural Use Assessment – Definition and Penalty – We support the provisions. The budget provisions simplify the administration and penalty application of the agricultural use assessment law.

Subdivision Fees – We support the provision. It broadens municipal authority to collect fees from developers to buy land or build facilities for a new subdivision. As with any fee, it must bear a rational relationship to the actual costs incurred by the municipality. Currently these costs are born by all taxpayers, but the benefits go to a few.

Thank you in advance for taking the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities position into consideration on these issues. We look forward to renewing our partnership with you and forging a relationship that benefits the families and economy of Wisconsin.

Sincerely,

Michael R. Miller
Mayor of West Bend
President of the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities

Cc: Alliance of Cities Members
Partners in Local Government Members