Dane County Mayors Urge State to Fund Local Governments

Dane County is the fastest growing county in the state and one of the driving forces of Wisconsin’s economy. Local governments provide the infrastructure and other basic services that help underpin this success, which is felt statewide. Our residents also contribute billions of dollars to the state through the income and sales tax. However, Dane County communities are increasingly unable to benefit from the economic growth they are helping to generate and are struggling just to continue the same level of service they have long provided their residents. This is a direct result of misguided policies at the state-level.

Dane County’s seven Mayors met this week in Sun Prairie to discuss how to work together on a host of local issues – including reforms to state laws that artificially restrict local governments’ ability to meet the needs of their residents. Sun Prairie Mayor Paul Esser said Wisconsin cities are rapidly approaching a crisis in their ability to fund the services that their residents rely on.

“We, the leaders of the seven cities in Dane County, are calling on the Wisconsin legislature to eliminate the levy limits that prevent us from keeping pace with the inflation that is battering our city budgets,” said Mayor Esser.

That concern was also echoed by Stoughton Mayor Tim Swadley.

“Local municipalities should have the ability (without going to referendum) to maintain safe communities, provide efficient services and participate in the growth of Wisconsin's economy,” said Mayor Swadley. “I would appreciate opportunities to increase collaborations with legislators statewide, for the purpose of seeking solutions in the areas of rising costs and state funding.”

Three cities in Dane County – Fitchburg, Madison, and Monona –are seeking funding referendums this November in order to provide the basic services residents expect and deserve.  
 
“The City of Fitchburg must expand services and infrastructure as it accommodates new residents and businesses. Fitchburg is a growing community; its population has grown by 34% in the last ten years. Levy limits prevent local governments from raising sufficient revenue to meet these growing needs, leading to strained services and reduced quality of life,” said Fitchburg Mayor Julia Arata-Fratta. “The state-mandated levy limits imposed on municipalities are an inadequate response to increasing demands in growing communities like ours. Increasing state aid for municipalities would help ease the burden on taxpayers."

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said Wisconsin communities are in need of a sustainable path forward without having to enact harmful service cuts.  
 
“We need change at the state level to address the chronic underfunding of local governments in Wisconsin. Dane County communities can’t afford to compromise their values and undercut the services that make our cities great places to live, work and raise a family,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. “New legislative maps mean that there may be opportunities to push for change in coming years, but we cannot allow our cities to fall into a death spiral of declining services in the meantime.” 
 
Monona Mayor Mary O’Connor emphasized that there’s a reason why an increasing number of Wisconsin communities are seeking funding referendums.  
 
“Monona has reached the point where we simply can’t continue to provide the services our residents expect under the current state levy limits,” said Mayor O’Connor. “We’ve cut as much as we can and have implemented a number of efficiencies but have to generate more revenue in order to provide basic city services. Wisconsin has to consider a change in the way local municipalities are allowed to fund their operations.”

Wisconsin currently has a $3 billion surplus. Verona Mayor Luke Diaz said reform at the state level would benefit all Wisconsin towns, villages, and cities.

“By providing more support to municipalities, the state legislature would be making life better, not just for Dane County, but for all Wisconsin residents,” said Mayor Diaz.

Middleton Mayor Emily Kuhn is encouraged that Dane County Mayors are coming together to advocate for financial stability that will benefit ever Wisconsin resident.

"Communities across Dane County are working harder than ever to meet the growing needs of our residents, but our funding mechanisms are falling behind. It's time for change at the state level to give local governments the resources they need to serve everyone fairly and effectively," said Mayor Kuhn. “Together, we can build stronger communities for the future."