‘Dem is fightin’ words! He sounds like he means business!
DATE: July 13, 2011
TO: Scott McDonell, Chair
Dane County Board of Supervisors
FROM: Joe Parisi
Dane County Executive
RE: CARPCIt is with deep regret I write to inform you the Budget and Personnel Panel (BPP) of the Capital Area Regional Plan Commission (CARPC) voted 3-1 today to certify a budget that constitutes a nearly 21% increase over the county levy allocated to the agency in 2011. This budget will be reviewed and likely given final approval by the CARPC Commission tomorrow (7-14-11).
Given the fiscal limitations facing all local governments following passage of the state budget and upcoming reductions in funding to valuable public services, this increase is unreasonable and therefore is unacceptable.
As you recall, I proposed a 5% reduction in the county’s financial contribution along with a series of reforms to ensure our taxpayers receive the services intended when CARPC was reconstituted in 2007. Following an initial meeting of the BPP on June 30th, I developed and proposed additional funding alternatives including implementation of a new per acre fee to ensure developers, not solely county taxpayers, would help cover the actual costs of reviewing expansive development proposals.
These alternatives were rejected by the BPP.
As you know, unique to any other agency, service, or department funded by county government, the County Executive and County Board aren’t directly tasked with the responsibility of determining this organization’s annual budget. The County Executive is the only county official designated to this four-person Budget and Personnel panel. This places the county at a unique disadvantage in that representatives of public entities not responsible for managing the county’s fiscal situation have authority over a portion of the county’s levy.
The budget approved by the BPP constitutes the entire projected levy increase amount allowed to Dane County under the state budget approved in late June.
In addition, CARPC has acted without the review or approval of the BPP in making hiring decisions to fill staff vacancies and authorized mid-year salary increases for staff. This is in direct contrast to most publicly financed entities that are currently facing hiring freezes or other steps to achieve personnel and cost efficiencies.
The county’s only remedy to contest today’s action is to pursue legal means. Litigation comes with a cost and shouldn’t be entered into lightly. However, at a time when countless other valuable services that reflect the values of county citizens are facing funding reductions, it is irresponsible not to challenge a 21% levy increase to an entity that has arguably strayed from its original charter and from a focus that those responsible for funding CARPC (the county) have attempted to direct the agency and its commission toward.
In the interest of county property taxpayers, I ask that you introduce a resolution finding that CARPC’s levy is unreasonable at the next available County Board meeting. This resolution will authorize the county to initiate legal action challenging CARPC’s levy. I will sign this measure and look forward to working with you and the County Board in pursuit of a responsible budget for CARPC during these challenging fiscal times.
This resolution needs to be authorized within the 20 day window allowed per statute for county board review of CARPC’s levy.
Thank you.
cc: Members, Dane County Board of Supervisors
CARPC Members
BPP Members
Maybe this will make the papers?! Seems like not much the county does is found newsworthy these days, but I think it is. I find it interesting that, much like the RTA, these are unelected people with taxing authority . . . and I find Parisi’s arguments persuasive, why should everyone be facing cuts while this group of unelected people can tax to the max. 21% increase is unacceptable by anyone’s standards. And oddly enough, the committee seems packed with fiscal conservatives.
