Resolution Opposing State Assessment Change

WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) proposes to change from municipal assessment to county assessment that requires 100% assessment of every property every year; and,
WHEREAS, this proposal will cause an unfathomable waste of taxpayer dollars through extraordinary cost increases; and,
WHEREAS, citizens will only be able to access a few Board of Review proceedings throughout an entire county, which significantly decreases the ability of local knowledge to create accuracy in the assessment process; and,
WHEREAS, towns, cities, and villages are no longer in control of their own costs because the county will just send them a bill; and,
WHEREAS, the proposal is an unprecedented intrusion into local government by requiring the state to suggest a salary range for their assessment director and work with the county to set a county budget and number of employees; and,
WHEREAS, the DOR has cited assessor problems as part of their rationale, but has never revoked an assessor license despite having the authority; and,
WHEREAS, over the last five years the DOR has already required additional work and detailed information from assessors to improve the process; and,
WHEREAS, this proposals kills private sector jobs and grows public sector jobs; and,
WHEREAS, the DOR cites that Wisconsin is one of few states that has municipal assessment, but forgets to note the strong leadership of Wisconsin citizens, our state’s dedication to local input, and the simple lack of town government in many states;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of Erin Prairie Township, St. Croix County does hereby oppose the implementation of county assessment in Wisconsin and asks for the proposal to be removed from the budget; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Towns are and have always been willing to work with the State of Wisconsin, fellow local government groups, and other stakeholders to continually improve the assessment process.

Adopted this 16th day of March, 2015 by the Town Board of Erin Prairie Township, St. Croix County.

Dennis Mitchell, Supervisor Mike Monteith, Supervisor

John Van Dyk, Chairman Jackie Mitchell, Clerk