COUNTY APPROVES 1% TAX REFERENDUM

The Milwaukee County Board approved file 07-304 today, Thursday, July 26th, 2007, authorizing an advisory referendum on an additional 1 percent countywide use and sales tax. The vote was 10 - 6, according to Harold Mester, media relations coordinator for the board.
Sponsors John F. Weishan, Jr. and Gerry P. Broderick called it a "tax shift plan to strengthen services and lower property taxes." The dedicated revenues would support property tax relief, Milwaukee County parks, recreation and culture programs, transit services and public safety. [Unlike the City of Milwaukee, the county does not make fiscal notes or the text of its legislation readily accessible for remote users, so this vital information is not available for linkage right now. Maybe they can use some of the tax money for that.--Ed.]
The sponsors say the plan will give taxpayers a chance to vote it "up or down" in a referendum to be held on February 19th, 2008, Wisconsin's primary for President -- and for County Supervisors.
The little-noticed legislation had been heard by four committees until it passed the Finance and Audit Committee on a 4-1 vote, with Chairman Richard Nyklewicz opposed. The bill had fared poorly when it went to the Parks, Energy and Environment Committee where it failed on a 4-2 vote, with Broderick and Supervisor Toni Clark voting in the minority. The measure had also been heard by the Judiciary Safety & General Services Committee where it stalled on a 3-3 tie, with superviors Joseph Rice, Lynne De Bruin and Dan Devine opposed to the measure. It also reached a tie in the Transportation, Public Works and Transit Committee with Nyklewicz, Devine and Supervisor James White voting against it.
In today's vote, the measure was favored by supervisors Lee Holloway, the board chairman; Broderick; Clark; Elizabeth Coggs-Jones; Marina Dimitrijevic; Willie Johnson; Michael Mayo, Sr.; Weishan; Peggy West and White. It was opposed by supervisors Mark A. Borkowski; DeBruin; Devine; Nyklewicz; Rice and Jim "Luigi" Schmitt. Supervisors Paul M. Cesarz and Roger Quindel were excused, and the seat formerly held by supervisor Ryan McCue is vacant. It now goes to County Executive Scott Walker for his veto.
--Michael Horne
[ Here is a link to the legislative text file for the 1 percent sales tax increase / property tax reduction referendum. --Ed.]