NUMB:
980663
VERS:
SUBSTITUTE 1
REF:
XXBY:
ALD. FRANK, KALWITZ, GORDON, NARDELLI, PRATT, BREIER, D'AMATO, HENNINGSEN, SCHRAMM, JOHNSON-ODOM, RICHARDS, BUTLER, SCHERBERT, WITKOWIAK, PAWLINSKI AND HINES
TITL:
Substitute resolution relating to conducting a referendum on residency for City and MPS employes at the November 3, 1998, election.
ANLS:
- Analysis -
This resolution directs the placement of an advisory referendum question on the November 3, 1998, election ballot relating to residency requirements for City employes and Milwaukee public schools employes.
BODY:
Whereas, The Wisconsin Legislature has, in past legislative sessions, considered and rejected proposed legislation that prohibits counties, cities, villages, towns and school districts from deciding whether to require their employes to reside within the locality; and
Whereas, The entire Milwaukee Common Council has consistently opposed such legislation because local governments throughout the state are best able to evaluate their own unique circumstances and concerns as they decide whether to require their employes to be local residents; and
Whereas, The financial impact of such legislation on the City of Milwaukee would be depressed residential and commercial property values that erode the years of investment that City residents have made in their homes and businesses; and
Whereas, The reduction in property values would decrease Milwaukee property tax receipts, diminishing the ability of the City to provide public services and continue to pay family-supporting wages to the very City employes whose residency requirements are affected; and
Whereas, Such legislation could result in a sudden residential expansion in the communities surrounding Milwaukee, exceeding the capacity of the tax base and infrastructure of some already overburdened suburban communities to support the influx of new residents and their immediate requirements for expanded schools, roads, sewers, water and other public services; and
Whereas, The most appropriate way for local governmental policy to be determined is the current system, under which local governments evaluate local considerations in order to determine whether to establish residency requirements for local governmental employes; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the following question shall be submitted to a vote of the electors at the November 3, 1998, General Election:
"Shall the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Board of School Directors continue the policy of requiring their employees to live in the City of Milwaukee as a condition of employment?"
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council directs the Milwaukee Board of Election Commissioners to issue a call for the election and prepare and distribute referendum ballots giving a statement for the referendum question as provided herein, and take all other actions necessary to effect the referendum directed in this resolution.
ZDPT:
DFTR:
LRB98327.5
CW
9/1/98