Fiscal Note
No appropriation is required.
Title
Timely Financial Information From the State
Body
WHEREAS, the City relies on critical financial information it receives from state government, such as equalized values, net new constructions values, WRS contribution rates, shared revenue estimates, and general transportation aid estimates, in order to prepare its annual budget; and
WHEREAS, many municipalities begin preparing their annual budgets in the summer; and
WHEREAS, the statutory publication dates for certain state agency reports critical to municipal budgeting are late summer and fall (e.g. the equalized and net new construction values statutory publication deadline is August 15; the shared revenue estimate is September 15th; the exempt computer values is October 1; and the general transportation aids estimate is October 1); and
WHEREAS, municipalities need to receive these reports, aid estimates, and other financial information earlier in the year; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the state not renege on its funding commitments, which communities rely on to set their budgets; and
WHEREAS, in recent years the state has not followed through on some funding pledges, requiring municipalities to rely on reserves, make budget transfers, or reduce services. For example, in the spring of 2011, DNR announced that funding for the recycling grant program was $19 million, rather than the $32 million approved in the state budget, resulting in municipalities receiving much less in recycling grants than they had budgeted for.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Madison urge the Governor and the Legislature to require by law that the Department of Revenue, the Department of Transportation, and other state agencies publish information critical to helping municipalities prepare their annual budgets by at least July 1.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Madison urge the Governor ...
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