Number
110745
Version
SUBSTITUTE 3
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. KOVAC, COGGS
Title
Substitute resolution relating to the information to be included with the tax bills provided to City property owners and appropriating funds for this purpose.
Analysis
This resolution directs the City Treasurer to annually insert a document that provides information on the tax levy attributable to the Milwaukee Parental School Choice Program into the annual City property tax bill mailing. The Milwaukee Public Schools will pay for all costs associated with printing and inserting the document.
Body
Whereas, The state’s current method of funding the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) essentially hides the property tax impact of the MPCP from property taxpayers in the City of Milwaukee, attributing the cost to Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS); and
Whereas, Property taxpayers in Milwaukee do not currently receive any information informing them of the cost of the MPCP within the documents
provided to them with the City property tax bill; and
Whereas, Given the current lack of transparency regarding the impact of the MPCP on the MPS property tax levy, many property taxpayers do not understand that a portion of the MPS property tax levy figure shown on the tax bill and the City Comptroller’s Tax Dollar Brochure is used to provide funding to MPCP schools, not schools operated by MPS; and
Whereas, Property taxpayers also understandably assume that the increase in the tax levy’s figure presented as that of MPS is wholly attributable to costs associated with MPS; and
Whereas, In MPS Fiscal Year 2011, after deducting the High Poverty Aid provided by the State, approximately $40.4 million of the MPS levy is related to the MPCP; and
Whereas, In MPS Fiscal Year 2012, property taxes from the City of Milwaukee will be used in part to subsidize private suburban and rural schools outside the limits of the city; and
Whereas, The portion of the property tax levy attributable to the MPCP cannot be determined until MPS receives the annual October 15 General Aid Certification; and
Whereas, Staff from the Mayor’s administration, the City Attorney ‘s Office, the City Comptroller’s Office, and the City Treasurer’s Office met to determine the most cost efficient method of providing information on the tax levy attributable to the MPCP to City property taxpayers; and
Whereas, Staff from the Mayor’s administration, the City Treasurer’s Office and the City Comptroller’s Office jointly recommend that MPS be allowed to place a small separate insert in the annual tax bill mailing along with the City Treasurer’s Office agreeing to reduce the size of its annual property tax brochure, to avoid the additional postage, is the most cost-efficient method of providing information on the tax levy attributable to the MPCP to City property taxpayers; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that beginning in 2011, the City Treasurer is directed to annually insert a document that provides information on the tax levy attributable to the MPCP into the annual City property tax bill mailing; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the insert shall provide only factual information including a breakdown of the MPS levy to show the portion related to the MPCP for the current year, prior year and the year-to-year percentage change; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the insert shall also accurately reflect the MPCP levy by including the offsets to the MPCP paid to the City and High Poverty Aid provided to MPS by the State; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the insert shall include contact information, including an MPS office or division, address, and telephone number and that including the name of a contact person on the insert is also encouraged; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the technical specifications for the insert shall be as follows:
1. The insert shall be printed on paper stock of 60# to be machine- inserted.
2. The dimensions of the insert shall be 3.33” x 8.5.”
3. The insert shall be printed on neon-color paper that differs from the existing property tax bill inserts.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, After October 15 of each year, but by a date annually specified by the City Comptroller, MPS shall provide the City Comptroller’s Office a draft of the insert to verify the accuracy of the information it contains; and, be it
Further Resolved, That MPS shall annually pay for all costs associated with printing, and inserting the document into the property tax bill mailing; and, be it
Further Resolved, To ensure that the property tax bills are mailed in a timely manner, the MPCP tax levy impact documents shall annually be delivered for insertion and mailing no later than a date specified by the City Treasurer; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the proper City officials are directed to ensure the implementation of this resolution.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB134168-6
Jim Carroll
10/11/11