Town of Bayview Resolution 26-01

Resolution in Support of Full Transparency for Taxpayers

WHEREAS, the Town of Bayview Board is committed to transparency in public finance and ensuring that taxpayers understand how their local property tax dollars are allocated; and

WHEREAS, state law currently requires that property tax bills itemize how much of a school district’s levy is attributable to voter-approved capital or operational referenda, thereby helping taxpayers understand specific components of their tax obligations; and

WHEREAS, a similar level of transparency is warranted regarding the portion of the School District of Washburn levy attributable to the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (private school vouchers), as this portion does not go directly to the school district but is instead levied to offset reductions in state aid; and

WHEREAS, when the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program began in the 2014–15 school year, the program’s cost was paid from the State’s general fund; however, beginning in 2015–16, the city Legislature changed the funding mechanism so that voucher payments for students residing in a district are withheld from the district’s final state aid payment and recorded as an expense in the district budget; and

WHEREAS, as a result of this change, school districts, including the School District of Washburn, must either increase their levy to offset this aid reduction, thereby shifting the cost of private school vouchers onto local property taxpayers, or cut their budgets by the amount withheld; and

WHEREAS, for the current tax year, $166,546 of the amount levied by the School District of Washburn is attributable to the cost of private school vouchers;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Bayview Board hereby directs Town staff to include on all Town-issued property tax bills the following statement, or substantially similar language:

“Of the amount levied by the School District of Washburn, $166,546 is for the purpose of state-mandated private school vouchers.”

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Town staff shall update this figure annually to reflect the amount certified by the School District of Washburn or the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and ensure the information is presented in a clear, accessible, and transparent manner for taxpayers.

 

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Town Chair Don Jenicek                                                                              Town Clerk Kim Suske

 

______________________________                                           ______________________________

Town Supervisor Bill Bodin                                                                         Date Approved

 

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Town Supervisor Mike Garnich