Number
090695
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. WITKOWSKI
Title
Resolution directing the Intergovernmental Relations Division - Department of Administration to pursue development and passage of state legislation authorizing municipal auction of taxicab permits.
Analysis
Section 349.24, Wis. Stats., authorizes municipalities to license and regulate taxicabs and taxicab drivers. Section 66.0628, Wis. Stats., limits the fees that a municipality may charge for a license to those reasonably related to the costs of licensing.
The License Division-Office of the City Clerk reports that the city licenses 321 taxicabs through issuance of public passenger vehicle permits. Section 100-5-3 of the code prohibited the issuance of new taxicab permits effective January 1, 1992, except when the permittee changes its form of business or when application is made to transfer a permit to another party. In these cases, the previously issued permit must be relinquished prior to issuance of a new permit.
This limitation upon entry into the Milwaukee taxicab market has created a high private value and demand resulting in private agreements for transfer of permits which reportedly are worth in excess of $100,000 for transfer of a single permit. This private market is not regulated.
Cities such as Boston, New York and Chicago have created and entered into taxicab permit markets through the issuance of taxicab medallions. A cap is set on the number of medallions issued. Additional medallions are offered from time to time at City auction. Such auctions are intended to produce revenue equivalent to the market value of a medallion, which is generally much greater than any costs to the city related to licensing.
This resolution directs the Intergovernmental Relations Division - Department of Administration to seek the development introduction and passage of state legislation providing an exception to s. 66.0628, Wis. Stats., and specifically authorizing the city to auctio...
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