Madison Mayor’s Emergency Orders to cost $1.1M

Financial projections of the mayor’s unilateral actions now have a fiscal note. Here’s where it will cost money!

For more on the mayor’s emergency proclamation and orders here are some posts you might be interested in:

• Will Madison City Council abandon their responsibilities? – March 31

• Amid Pandemic: City, County and School Board take time off – March 29

• Madison Mayor’s 23 emergency actions – March 26

• Madison Mayor Declared a State of Emergency – March 26

Here’s the document indicating the fiscal impacts of the Mayor’s orders.  The county has 4 questions on each agenda to ensure equity is part of their decision making.

BUSINESSES

• $46,800 – Late fees and penalties for business licenses and permits
  • The City will temporarily suspend the assessment and collection of late fees and penalties, to the extent not preempted by state law, for all licenses and permits issued by the City of Madison Clerk’s office under Madison General Ordinances. $5,200 for 9 months
• $59,000 reduce fees associated with food and drink establishments
  • Until December 31, 2020, Public Health Madison and Dane County is authorized to reduce the fees associated with food and drink establishments, temporary food establishments, tattoo and body piercing, hotels and tourist rooming houses, campgrounds and recreational campgrounds to the 2019 rate and waive late fees and offer renewal fee deferment if not contrary to Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection guidelines.

  • Annual projection; Assumes newly created positions will remain vacant for all of 2020 (so it costs more than $59,000 but there are cost savings)

• $130,000 Vending fees

  • All Vending Fees, except for Vending surrounding Camp Randall, required under Madison General Ordinance Section 9.13, are hereby waived. (annual fees)

• $4,000 deferred room taxes

  • Amending Section 4.21(3) of the Madison General Ordinances to defer room taxes imposed for January, February and March, 2020 to no later than July 31, 2020, at the discretion of the City Treasurer ($4,000/year)

PRIMARILY BUSINESSES, SOME FOR RESIDENTS

• $435,0000 – parking violations
  • The City will temporarily suspend the enforcement of Madison General Ordinance Section 12.154(5) and suspend the collection of late payment charges for parking violations. $87,000 for 5 months
• $6,600 – banner permit fees

  • The Office of Business Resources is authorized with discretion to refund banner permit fees under Madison General Ordinance Section 31.075(2)(a), to any person or organization who has not yet displayed their banner and requests to cancel their banner reservation because their event has been canceled due to COVID-19, or is canceled in the near future due to COVID-19. (annual projection)

• $148,000 Parks permits and fees

  • The Parks Department is authorized to refund all permit fees and other associated fees under Madison General Ordinance Section 10.056 that have been pre-paid for Street Use Events if the event is cancelled due to the emergency actions.  $37,000 per month for 4 months

• $75,000 late charges for sewer and stormwater utilities

  • Suspending late charges for the Sewer and Stormwater Utilities and the Landfill Remediation Charge during the COVID-19 public health emergency. ($15,000/month for 5 months)

• $80,000 late charges for Urban Forestry special charge

  • Amending Secs. 13.12, 35.02(8)(d), 35.025(5) and 37.05(4)(h) of the Madison General Ordinances to Allow for the Suspension of Water Utility and Urban Forestry Special Charge Late Charges ($16,000 a month for 5 months)

RESIDENTS ONLY

• $23,175 – CDA rent payment late fees
  • Community Development Authority of the City of Madison may suspend the imposition and collection of late lease payment fees for residential and commercial tenants, in its discretion.  $2575/month for 9 months

TOTAL $1,107,575

QUESTIONS

How did she decide that businesses get relief for 9 months, but other things are for 3 or 5 months?

When they suspended the parking rules, it wasn’t all.  The clean streets clean lakes parking restrictions are still being enforced, why?  That has the biggest impact on downtown residents beyond the 2 hour parking restrictions.

Were these really things that needed to be done on an emergency basis?  If so, why weren’t they just placed on the finance committee agenda and sent to the council tonight.  The finance committee met on 3/23 – the day she issued her orders.  This could have been brought straight to them and the council could be voting on these items tonight.