Number
241203
Reference
200668
Version
ORIGINAL
Sponsor
ALD. COGGS
Title
Resolution directing the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to lobby for the ability to amend the Uniformity Clause of the State Constitution.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to lobby for the ability to amend the Uniformity Clause of the State Constitution to allow for more flexibility to Cities of the First Class.
Body
Whereas, The Uniformity Clause of the Wisconsin Constitution, Article VIII, Section 1, requires the uniform taxation of property and has been amended five times since 1848, with the most recent amendment being in 1974; and
Whereas, Wisconsin courts have determined that the Uniformity Clause was intended to prevent the State Legislature and local officials from granting preferential tax treatment to influential property owners and to protect residents from unequal and unjust taxation; and
Whereas, Some city residents are more significantly adversely impacted by property tax assessments, including those who live in neighborhoods with changing demographics, senior citizens, and people living on fixed incomes; and
Whereas, On November 28, 2017, the Common Council adopted Resolution File Number 171143, directing the Commissioner of City Development to develop an Anti-Displacement Plan for neighborhoods surrounding Downtown Milwaukee; and
Whereas, The Anti-Displacement Plan recommended assisting existing home owners in retaining their homes, helping existing neighborhood renters to become home owners, preserving existing affordable rental housing and protecting tenants at risk of displacement, prioritizing affordable and mixed-income housing in neighborhoods at risk of displacement, and preserving neighborhood character and build community wealth; and
Whereas, In response to the Anti-Displacement Plan, the Anti-Displacement Fund was established by MKE United in 2019 to provide grants to help ensure that long-time, income eligible homeowners living in near downtown neighborhoods are not displaced due to increasing property taxes associated with rising property values and new development; and
Whereas, The Anti-Displacement Fund is limited in its ability to assist residents who are severely impacted by property tax assessments; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division is directed to lobby for the ability to amend the Uniformity Clause of the State Constitution to provide more flexibility to Cities of the First Class; and, be it
Further Resolved, That Resolution File Number 200668 is amended by inserting the following item in the document attached to the file and identified as “AMENDED 2021-2022 State Legislative Detailed Proposals and Key Issues”:
|
Local Control & Flexibility |
Assessor |
Allow amendment of the Uniformity Clause of the State Constitution to allow more flexibility to Cities of the First Class. |
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to the City’s delegation to the State Legislature.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB 177379-1
Tea B. Norfolk-Christopher Hillard
5/2/2022