2014-1127 RESOLUTION 2014 -1127
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A REFERENDUM TO EXCEEED STATE IMPOSED
LEVY LIMITS FOR 2015 AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER THROUGH 2024 BY UP
TO $1,200,000 TO INCREASE SERVICE LEVELS FOR STREET RESURFACING
AND STREET RECONSTRUCTION.
WHEREAS, according to Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER)
evaluations of city streets conducted in 2009 and 2011 the pavement condition of
streets in the City of Janesville are deteriorating; and
WHEREAS, over the last ten (10) years the cost of asphalt has increased 95% and the
cost of curb and gutter replacement has increased 68 %, resulting in fewer miles of
street resurfacing and reconstruction being completed; and
WHEREAS, Janesville experienced significant residential and commercial development
in the 1990's which significantly increased the miles of city streets; and these streets are
approaching a point in their life where they will need to be resurfaced and /or
reconstructed; and
WHEREAS, revenue from the top five (5) non - property tax revenue sources have
declined by over $1,400,000 since 2009; and
WHEREAS, during this same time period expenditures for operations have increased
by over $1,000,000; and
WHEREAS, the State of Wisconsin has imposed limits on town, village, city, and county
property tax levies for 2014 that fund Janesville's 2015 fiscal budget year, pursuant to
Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.0602; and
WHEREAS, Wis. Stat. sec. 66.0602 limits the increase in 2014 (collected in 2015) to
the local property tax levy to no more than the greater of (a) 0% of last year's actual levy
or (b) a percentage equal to the percentage change in equalized value due to new
construction less improvements removed; which for the City of Janesville is nine -
hundred and eight thousandths (.908) of a percent; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Janesville, Rock County believes a
public referendum is in the city's best interest on the question of whether to exceed the
state levy limit for 2014 by a greater percentage than allowed by statute, which amount
is currently .908 %; and
WHEREAS, the City of Janesville actual levy, excluding TIF, in 2013 (collected in 2014)
was $29,444,926; and further whereas the state limit would limit the increase to less
than $267,360 for a total allowable 2014 (collected in 2015) city tax levy of $29,712,286.
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NOW, THEREFORE the Common Council of the City of Janesville, Rock County does
hereby resolve and order as follows:
The Common Council supports an increase in the city tax levy for 2014 (to be collected
in 2015) to exceed the state levy limit by up to $1,200,000 in 2015 and each year
thereafter through 202 2019 to increase current service levels for street resurfacing
and street reconstruction.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Common Council directs that the following question
be submitted to the electors in a referendum during the Fall election to be held on
November 4, 2014; and
"Under state law, the increase in the levy of the City of Janesville for the tax to be
imposed for the next fiscal year (2015) is limited to .908 %, which results in a levy
of $29,712,286. Shall the City of Janesville be allowed to exceed this limit and
increase the levy for the next fiscal year (2015), by a total of 4.039 %, which
results in a levy of $30,912,286? If this referendum is approved, the amount of
approved increase in the levy will be available to the City only through the year
2024 2019."
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Common Council hereby authorizes the City
Administration to take whatever reasonable necessary and /or desirable actions it
determines appropriate to effectuate the intent of this resolution authorizing referendum.
ADOPTED: August 25, 2014 Motion by: Liebert
Second by: Marklein
APPROVED: / Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
Bobzien X
1•4 `- Farrell X
Mark .. Freitag, City Manage Fitzgerald X
Kealy X
ATTEST: ' Liebert X
/// Marklein X
,e'. .--7-1/3-?-. 3 /(--/ Severson X
J n Ann Wulf, City Clerk -Tres rer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
-1-e(/
Wald Klimczyk, City Attorney
Proposed by: Councilmembers Farrell and Liebert
Prepared by: Administrative Services