Fiscal Note
The estimated cost for Urban Forestry Services in 2015 is $5,900,000. This amount is continually being refined as the budget process progresses. Of this amount, $1,385,000 is related to expenditures currently requested in the Parks Division 2015 Capital Budget. The estimated savings to the levy in 2015 would be $4,515,000 for the transfer of operating costs. Savings in future years would also include approximately $180,050 per year for savings in debt service.
The expenditures and special charge receipts would be accounted for in a Special Revenue Fund. Costs associated with creating and maintaining this fund would be minimal. Programming costs to add the special charge to the tax bill are estimated to be under $15,000. These funds have not been included in Information Technology’s 2015 operating budget request and may need to be added at a later time.
The method under which the Special Charge will be apportioned will be adopted by the Common Council at a later date.
Title
SUBSTITUTE Creating Section 4.095 of the Madison General Ordinances to establish an Urban Forestry Special Charge.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: This ordinance creates an urban forestry special charge in the City, based upon the authority granted the City by Wis. Stat. § 66.0627, pursuant to Sec. 4.09(13), MGO, and in response to the Alternative Revenue Work Group’s recommendations contained in its report entitled “Alternative Revenue and the City of Madison Proposal for an Urban Forestry Charge.” (See Legislative File # 35027.) This special charge will shift the entire costs of the urban forestry program from the property tax levy to a charge-supported program. The costs of the program that will be recovered will include all urban forestry costs to the City to maintain, protect and grow the City’s urban forest. The charge will only recover for services actually performed by the City, and the amount imposed may be adjusted throughout the year to account for greater or less...
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