Number
041006
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. DONOVAN
Title
Substitute resolution requesting the Public Policy Forum to study and recommend sound and innovative policy options relating to the financing of public safety services.
Analysis
This resolution requests that the Public Policy Forum conduct a study and issue a report recommending sound and innovative policy options relating to the financing of public safety services.
Body
Whereas, The Public Policy Forum is an independent and widely respected nonpartisan agency which conducts policy research and releases reports on a range of policy issues, including government spending, taxation and public safety, affecting southeastern Wisconsin, the state and the nation; and
Whereas, The Forum's policy research and reports spotlight trends, define emerging issues and facilitate productive interaction among local governments and the private sector to promote sound and innovative policy solutions; and
Whereas, The Forum's recent examination of the city's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports over the past 10 years reveals that the city's major general fund revenue sources of property taxes and intergovernmental aid have grown more slowly than have the city's expenditures in the general fund; and
Whereas, A recent report issued by the Forum indicated that the Police Department spends more than any other General City Purposes (GCP) City department, and that in 2003, the department's GCP budget made up more than a third of the City's entire GCP budget; and
Whereas, The report indicated that not only does the Police Department spend a significant portion of the City's budget, but the department's spending has also increased substantially over the past 10 years, an increase of 27% between 1994 and 2003, which is 4 percentage points greater than the 23% inflation rate over the same period; and
Whereas, The report indicated that the Police Department's budgeted spending was 86% of the total tax levy in 2003, which indicates that if the City were only able to rely on its property tax revenue, the City would be able to afford little else but the Police Department; and
Whereas, The report also indicated that the Fire Department's budgeted spending was 40% of the total tax levy in 2003; and
Whereas, A November 2004 report issued by the Forum indicated that Wisconsin's shared revenue program, as municipalities and counties have known it, appears over, and that future state aids will be at a lower level, thus jeopardizing the city's ability to maintain basic services such as fire and police protection; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council requests that the Public Policy Forum conduct a study and issue a report recommending sound and innovative policy options relating to the financing of public safety services; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk is directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Public Policy Forum.
Drafter
LRB04443-3
RGP
12/22/04