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Waukesha City Budget Explodes |
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Friday, 20 October 2006 |
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 Continuing a disturbing trend, the 2007 City of Waukesha proposed executive budget would increase the tax levy dramatically over the 2006 budget. Despite a state wide property tax freeze City Administrator Jim Payne’s budget, approved by Mayor Larry Nelson, increases the levy by 5.07% - nearly doubling the 2.589% allowed by the state. This increase was accomplished by exploiting a loophole in the property tax freeze that allows unlimited growth in the debt service levy. After an increase of over 17% last year, this year's budget increases the debt service levy by 10.6%. In essence, the city is borrowing at a high rate to finance its exorbitant spending habits.
The Waukesha Taxpayer’s League strongly opposes financing large budget increases through borrowing. The city’s debt currently exceeds $104 million and this budget would significantly add to it, jeopardizing the city’s already shaky bond rating. Even city administrator Jim Payne recognizes the danger of this citing in his transmittal letter “The funding of general operations with borrowing is unsound fiscal policy in the long term.”
Even more troubling is the mention of potentially going to referendum to increase taxes even more next year. Alderwoman Cummings echoed Jim Payne “With the lifting of the restrictions next year, we’ll be able to staff it, if not, we’ll have to go to referendum.” In other words, expect a hugh tax increase one way or another.
Aren't Larry Nelson, the Common Council and Jim Payne happy enough with the City of Waukesha being the highest taxed in the County?
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