Greetings, my friends!
I want to remind you of some of your biggest successes.
U.S. Venture moving into Building 222 represents the successful conclusion of a long road. I remember standing in front of you a few years back pointing to the skyrocketing cost of bringing U.S. Venture to the bluff site. ACT pointed out that the anticipated borrowing was “unsustainable.” Shortly after that meeting, the Council retracted its participation offer and negotiations started anew, leading to the recent successful conclusion.
ACT also opposed two previous plans to build a new library. In each case, we pointed to inconsistencies in fulfillment of the priorities cited in all of the previous library studies as well as ballooning costs. Plans were withdrawn, with better, more-inclusive plans leading to the upcoming renovated library opening.
My point here is that you are able to meet big challenges with Win – Win solutions for the city and taxpayers.
Concerning the proposed Wheel Tax $10 increase:
ACT still views the Wheel Tax as an unfair tax. It excludes large groups and is regressive in nature. Taxes like this are not good for Appleton. They give us a poor reputation contributing to reasons to avoid choosing to live in this city. The Wheel Tax is not a Win-Win for the city and taxpayer.
We’ve been told that the only way to eat the elephant is one bite at a time. ACT rejects that argument. Adding $10 to the Wheel Tax is not a solution: We would not be eating the elephant; we would be, instead, “Feeding the Bear.”
The bear is hungry and will want more.
I will repeat here what I said at the Finance Committee meeting.
High taxes and fees don’t affect the affluent, but when a young person who wants to buy a home and start a family with a job paying $60,000 a year says “Appleton’s too expensive” that should be a warning sign.
I will offer some possible solutions:
ACT promised to pursue having the state offer counties and municipalities monetary incentives to reduce General Obligation debt service levels.
Appleton’s heavy debt service burden is passed on to city homeowners on top of levy limits every year. Currently, a home appraised at $250,000 pays an additional $434 in taxes every year. If even part of the $13.5 million Appleton currently pays in G.O. debt service could be diverted from creditors to General Funds, you would not need a Wheel Tax.
To this end, we have contacted several state senators and assembly persons as well as two separate taxpayer organizations. Response has been very favorable with the intention of putting forward a bill outlining a sustainable way to offer all Wisconsin municipalities such incentive.
This project is a solution to more than just the addition of $10 to the current Wheel Tax. It offers the real chance of tax relief to all Wisconsin property taxpayers.
Give this idea a couple of years to get through the State Assembly and Senate.
Explore other ideas.
Vote no on this increase.
To repeat what was just stated prior to my input: “Do Better” … I know you can.
