HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 1985 (12) RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO CONTINUE GENERAL REVENUE SHARING
Resolution # 1N8��
WHEREAS, counties in Wisconsin deliver many essential
services to their residents, including many important federal
programs; and
WHEREAS, counties have assumed a wide variety of duties and
responsibilities during the past 20 years; and
WHEREAS, counties have not been granted increased revenue
sources to deal with their additional responsibilities, and
therefore, remain dependent on the local property tax; and
WHEREAS, increases in the local property tax are
unacceptable because of the unfairness of the tax, and its extra
burden on farmers, the elderly and the poor; and
WHEREAS, Congress has for 15 years provided important
assistance to counties in the form of General Revenue Sharing
payments, which return federal taxes paid by Wisconsin residents
to finance services delivered by Wisconsin municipalities; and
WHEREAS, St. Croix County received $473,100.00 in general
revenue sharing funds last year, a sum equivalent to 10.7% of the
county levy, and these funds helped finance law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, the 1986 federal budget includes a proposal to
terminate revenue sharing payments at the end of 1985; and
WHEREAS, withdrawal of federal revenue sharing funds would
result in a large gap in county revenues requiring severe cuts in
spending and tax increases to make up the loss; and
WHEREAS, termination of revenue sharing would make little
appreciable contribution to reducing the federal deficit, but
would threaten the fiscal solvency of local governments across
the United States, making the proposed cut in revenue sharing an
attempt by Washington to insignificantly reduce the federal
deficit at the great expense of local government;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Croix County Board
of Supervisors, meeting in regular session, that St. Croix County
is on record in support of continuation of general revenue
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sharing at current funding levies, and oppoaes any proposal to
reduce, eliminate or phase out general revenue sharing payments;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the St. Croix County Clerk is
directed to send copies of this resolution to Senators Proxmire
and Kasten, Congressman Gunderson, and the Wisconsin Counties
Association. ////
Dated this /Y day of wl/ , 1985.
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