A levy limit exception for certain shared emergency services expenditures. (FE)
Impact
If enacted, AB1083 would enable cities, villages, and towns to raise their levies beyond the established limits for expenses incurred by their joint emergency dispatch centers. These services are essential for law enforcement and emergency medical responses, and under the bill, local governments could adopt resolutions to permit higher expenditures as long as they remain within inflation adjustments. This development is expected to enhance the responsiveness and quality of emergency services in participating areas, without compromising local tax structures excessively.
Summary
Assembly Bill 1083 proposes a critical amendment to the laws governing local property tax levy limits in Wisconsin, specifically targeting expenses associated with shared emergency services. Currently, local governments face strict limits on how much they can increase property tax levies, generally tied to their property's valuation changes. This bill seeks to provide local municipalities with an additional exemption allowing them to exceed the levy limit when financing costs related to joint emergency dispatch centers.
Contention
The bill's introduction has spurred discussions regarding the balance of fiscal responsibility and community safety. Proponents argue that the bill is necessary for ensuring adequate funding for critical emergency services that benefit multiple municipalities. However, critics express concerns that allowing exceptions to levy limits could set a precedent for increasing taxes in other areas, potentially burdening taxpayers. There is a fear that with such exemptions, governance could shift too heavily towards accommodating financial needs at the potential expense of existing taxpayers' financial burdens.
Reimbursement of emergency services under the Medical Assistance program when a patient is not transported; emergency medical services education; tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners; reporting on changes to the scope of practice of emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners; a levy limit exemption for regional emergency medical systems; eligible expenses of fire dues program; a live 911 pilot program; eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program; and making an appropriation. (FE)
Reimbursement of emergency services under the Medical Assistance program when a patient is not transported; emergency medical services education; tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners; reporting on changes to the scope of practice of emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners; a levy limit exemption for regional emergency medical systems; eligible expenses of fire dues program; a live 911 pilot program; eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program; and making an appropriation. (FE)
County and municipal aid; imposing a city sales tax and an additional county sales tax to pay the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of city and county retirement systems; requiring newly hired city and county employees of certain city agencies and counties to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System; fire and police commissions of first class cities; eliminating the personal property tax; reporting certain crimes and other incidents that occur on school property or school transportation; advisory referenda; local health officers; local public protection services; exceptions to local levy limits; local regulation of certain quarry operations; emergency services; local approval of projects and activities under the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program; requiring a referendum; and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
County and municipal aid; imposing a city sales tax and an additional county sales tax to pay the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of city and county retirement systems; requiring newly hired city and county employees of certain city agencies and counties to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System; fire and police commissions of first class cities; eliminating the personal property tax; reporting certain crimes and other incidents that occur on school property or school transportation; advisory referenda; local health officers; local public protection services; exceptions to local levy limits; local regulation of certain quarry operations; emergency services; local approval of projects and activities under the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program; requiring a referendum; and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
Reimbursement of emergency services under the Medical Assistance program when a patient is not transported, reporting on changes to the scope of practice of emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE)
Reimbursement of emergency services under the Medical Assistance program when a patient is not transported, reporting on changes to the scope of practice of emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE)