Number
101566
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. COGGS, MURPHY, BAUMAN and KOVAC
Title
Resolution opposing the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ decision to cut 2011 recycling grant funding.
Analysis
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has announced a 40% reduction in funding for the 2011 state recycling grants that are annually provided to municipalities and counties to offset a portion of their recycling program costs. The 40% reduction in recycling grant funding will result in the City receiving a 2011 recycling grant in the amount of an estimated $2.1 million, or $1.3 million less than the City had anticipated receiving. This resolution expresses the Common Council’s opposition to the 2011 funding reduction and directs the -Department of Administration-Intergovernmental Division to lobby the Wisconsin Department of Administration and Department of Natural Resources to restore the funding.
Body
Whereas, 2007 Wisconsin Act 20 requires the Secretary of Wisconsin’s Department of Administration to lapse or transfer $200 million in 2009-11 biennium budget from unencumbered balances of appropriations of executive branch state agencies; and
Whereas, As part of the 2010-11 $200 million lapse or transfer, the Wisconsin Department of Administration has directed the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to reduce its 2011 expenditures by an estimated $26.9 million; and
Whereas, The DNR has announced that the $26.9 million reduction in 2011 funding will result in an approximately $13 million, or 40%, reduction from the $32.1 million in funding for recycling grants to local governments that is included in the current state budget; and
Whereas, The recycling grants to local governments are paid for through a segregated fund, the recycling and renewable energy fund, which the state statutes define as a “nonlapsible trust fund”; and
Whereas, The annual state recycling grants are provided to municipalities and counties to offset a portion of their recycling costs and yard waste; and
Whereas, The City had anticipated receiving and budgeted approximately $3.4 million in funding from the state’s 2011 recycling grant to offset a portion of the $10 million 2011 estimated recycling and yard waste program costs; and
Whereas, A 40% reduction in the state’s 2011 recycling grant funding will result in a reduction of approximately $1.3 million in funding for the City’s recycling program, which will severely impact the City’s ability to provide recycling services to Milwaukee residents; and
Whereas, Milwaukee residents will continue to be required by the state statutes and City code to separate recyclables from the their solid waste; and
Whereas, A fully-funded City recycling program is an efficient way to assist Milwaukee residents to comply with state statute and the City code recycling provisions; and
Whereas, The City’s recycling program while primarily funded locally, provides economic, environmental and land use benefits to the state of Wisconsin, and it is appropriate for the state to honor its partial funding commitment in return for services rendered to the state; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, the Common Council expressed its opposition to the cuts in the 2011 State of Wisconsin recycling grant program; and, be it
Further Resolved, That Intergovernmental Relations Division- Department of Administration is directed to lobby the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Department of Administration to fully fund the 2011 State of Wisconsin recycling grant program.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB127403-1
JWC
4/11/11